Terry was born in 1947 the son of Gordon Staneley and Alice Mae Baker and the Grandson of Nathaniel William and Louisa Amelia Baker becoming a 3rd generation Baker to serve in the Canadian Military.

Now to Terry's narrative:

My military service started at the recruiting centre in Saskatoon in 1967 where I completed my application for pilot training with the RCAF. I was sent to Toronto for aircrew selection where I was chosen for pilot training.

On February 01, 1968 I was the first recruit in Saskatoon to join the Canadian Armed Forces. The Federal Government had merged our three services into one force on February 01. No RCAF for me, much to my disappointment.

Recruit training began in Victoria at the Navel Dockyard HMCS Venture Esquimalt. Then pilot training at CFB Borden, Ontario on the Chipmunk, CFB Moose Jaw on the Tutor jet and I received my wings on the Expeditor (C-45) at CFB Portage la Prairie September, 1970.


Terry in the Cockpit of a Tracker working with an American Submarine in Bermuda 1970


Terry and Crew in front of Tracker in Bermuda 1970

In 1974 I was posted to 412 Squadron CFB Ottawa on the Cosmopolitan (Convair 580). The role of this Squadron was VIP transport. I was fortunate to meet and fly many well known passengers such as Canada’s PM, our Governor General, Ambassadors from many countries and high ranking military personnel.

In 1978 I was posted to CFB Lahr, West Germany to become Deputy Flight Commander of 412 Squadron Detachment. The role of the detachment was the same as in Ottawa flying VIP’s throughout Europe, Asia and North Africa.


412 Sqn Detachment, Cosmopolitan (Convair 580), RAF Akrotiri Cyprus 1978


Terry and Crew with PM Pierre Trudeau & Justin Trudeau in Norway 1980


Terry and Crew with Governor General Ed Schreyer State Visit to Nordic Countries 1981

In 1981 I was posted to CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and was promoted to Major becoming “A” Flight Commander then later base Chief Flying Instructor responsible for the supervision, administration and safe operation of the Canadian Forces flying training program on the Tudor jet.


Terry promoted to Major 1982


Safety Award as Apache Flight Commander 1982

In 1985 I was posted to Air Transport Group Headquarters at CFB Trenton. Ontario responsible for the formulations and implementations of aircrew training, standards and evaluation. During this time I was current on the Dash 7, Dash 8 and the Cosmopolitan (Convair 580).


The Arrival of the first Dash 8 to 412 Sqn Detachment Lahr West Germany 1987


The Departure of the Dash 7 from 412 Sqn Detachment Lahr to Canada. 1987

In December of 1987 I was posted to RAF Staff College Bracknell England and completed the Advanced Staff College Course.

In January of 1989 was was posted back to 412 Squadron Ottawa as Deputy Commanding Officer responsible for the supervision of the VIP flying operation of 80 operational aircrew and 15 aircraft.

In 1989, after 21 wonderful and enjoyable years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, I made the choice to retire to take a pilot position with Wardair on the Boeing 747. Shortly after making that decision, Wardair was bought out by Canadian Airlines.

My commercial aviation career ended in 2007 with Korean Airlines flying the A-330! I continued working in an instructional role until 2016 as an instructor for Boeing on the A-330, operating out of Shanghai China and Seoul South Korea for Asiana Airlines.

Terry Baker
Major (Ret)

In addition to all the above going on, Terry married the love of his life Kathy in 1969 and they raised two children together, daughter Kimberley and son Neil.

Neil, Kathy, Kimberley and Terry at Kimberley's graduation from Royal Military College 1996

Major Terry Baker (Ret) passed away January 9, 2023. He died at home peacefully although suddenly at age 75.