MOOSE JAW — A familiar face in Saskatchewan’s military and public service circles has returned to uniform in a new role as the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield was formally invested as the new Honorary Colonel of 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
The appointment was made official during a ceremony recently, where Colonel Daniel Coutts, Commander of 15 Wing, welcomed Schofield into her new position in front of dignitaries, military personnel, and members of the community.
“It is with great honour that we welcome Mrs. Vaughn Solomon Schofield as our new Honorary Colonel,” said Col. Coutts. “She has demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment not only to the province of Saskatchewan, but also to the Canadian Armed Forces. I have complete faith that Mrs. Schofield will be a valuable addition to the 15 Wing team who will further enhance the bond between 15 Wing and the local community.”
Schofield brings with her decades of experience in public service, business, and military advocacy. Born and raised in Regina, she holds degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and the Rae-Vogue School in Chicago. She has served as president and CEO of the Western Group of Companies since 1996. She is perhaps best known for her tenure as Saskatchewan’s 21st Lieutenant Governor from 2012 to 2018.
Support for the Canadian Armed Forces has long been a central focus of her work. She previously held honorary positions with the 16 and 38 Service Battalions and the 10th Field Artillery Regiment, dedicating a combined 13 years to those roles. In 2009, she was awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, and in 2019, she received the Canadian Forces Decoration for her honorary military service.
“I am truly honoured to accept this prestigious appointment,” said Schofield during the ceremony. “Supporting Canada’s military and their families has long been a priority for me, and I am pleased to be able to contribute that support in this role. I look forward to working with everyone at 15 Wing and the broader community.”
This is her first honorary appointment with an Air Force unit — a detail that made Friday’s event especially meaningful.
“I have not worn an Air Force uniform before,” she said in a media scrum following the ceremony. “It’s extremely interesting and exciting. Putting this uniform together took a lot of help — the decorations and details are quite something. It’s a learning curve, but a very exciting one.”
Schofield succeeds outgoing Honorary Colonel Lisa Franks, who had served in the role since April 2019. Schofield’s term at 15 Wing will run until January 2028.
Honorary Colonels in the Royal Canadian Air Force play a vital symbolic and advisory role. Though they are not active members of the military, they serve to foster esprit de corps, connect military units with the community, and provide mentorship to leadership and personnel.
“Across Canada, our Honorary Colonel network helps us stay rooted in the communities we serve,” said Col. Coutts. “It’s about making sure the Air Force isn’t seen as a distant institution, but as a real and present part of Canadian life.”
With plans to increase post-pandemic community engagement and with renewed federal investment in the aerospace sector, 15 Wing is positioned to play a growing role in both regional and national defence efforts.
Schofield said she looks forward to working closely not only with military leadership, but also with the families who support members stationed at 15 Wing.
“Military families sometimes get overlooked,” she said. “They’re a huge part of what keeps our forces strong. I want to make sure they feel supported and heard during my time here.”
Her long list of honours includes the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, and commemorative medals for the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, as well as the recent King Charles III Coronation Medal.
To learn more about the role of Honorary Colonels, visit Canada.ca.
