Human Rights Officer
Heroes Remember
Human Rights Officer
Transcript
Description
Mr. Peters briefly discusses his selection as the Canadian Armed Forces’ first Human Rights Officer.
Walter Peters
Walter Peters, the youngest of six children, was born in Litchfield, Nova Scotia in 1937. A graduate of Mount Allison University, he worked for the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force at age twenty-four and entering pilot training. After receiving his commission and wings, Mr. Peters enjoyed a distinguished career on many levels. He was Canada’s first black jet fighter pilot and an A1 flying instructor. He was involved in the development of the Snowbirds and later flew with them. At Trenton, Mr. Peters piloted Hercules cargo aircraft on assorted missions around the globe, and it was here that he also became the Canadian Armed Forces’ first Human Rights Officer. As advisor to the United Nations Security Council, Mr. Peters offered advice on the tactical movement of troops by air, and analysed and briefed the Council after the Russian shootdown of a Korean civilian jet in 1983. He retired holding the rank of Major.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 1:00
- Person Interviewed:
- Walter Peters
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Branch:
- Air Force
- Rank:
- Major
- Occupation:
- Pilot
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T-33 Jet
Mr. Peters describes how easily he mastered the T-33 jet, and receiving the school’s top two awards for flying excellence.
Prejudice
Mr. Peters discusses how his graduation from flying school is tainted by the racially inappropriate remarks and attitude of the guest presenter the night before.
Flight Instructor
Mr. Peters describes initially being disappointed by his posting as a flying instructor, but later credits this tour of duty for reinforcing his discipline in the cockpit.
Snowbirds Genesis
Mr. Peters describes the part he played in establishing the Snowbirds aerobatics team.
Snowbirds Formation Flying
Mr. Peters describes how an air show develops from original practice flights to attaining air show readiness.
Snowbirds Accidental Deaths
Mr. Peters discusses the collective sense of loss felt by the aerobatics pilot fraternity after a tragedy, and then describes the “Missing Man” formation.
Snowbirds Trust
Mr. Peters describes “self critiquing”, a debriefing strategy wherein pilots discuss their own flying errors with the rest of the aerobatics team. He goes on to praise the valuable contribution of the ground crew to the team’s safety.
Hercules in Trenton
Mr. Peters describes how he gets his reassignment to Trenton, from where he flies Hercules cargo aircraft around the globe in support of Canada’s peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.
United Nations Air Advisor
Mr. Peters describes his role as UN Air Advisor, and helping the Security Council understand the circumstances, from a fighter pilot’s perspective, of the Russian Air Force shoot down of Korean Air flight 007.
Remembrance
Mr. Peters discusses his transition from obligatory to voluntary involvement in Remembrance Day ceremonies.
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