Freedom Isn’t Free.
Memorial Day is for remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms- their lives. As I am preparing for another trip to Alaska in honor of those who served there, I am remembering those pilots in my grandfather’s squadron, RCAF 111 (F) and some in No. 14 (F), who did not make it […]
Update F/O Louis Cochand
An interesting thing about how the story of F/O Louis Cochand unfolded was by the way in which it came to me. About a month after communicating with the daughter of RCAF S/L Hal Gooding, who flew with my grandfather in the 111(F), I received an email from a man named Chas Cochand. He […]
RCAF F/O Louis Cochand
Along with the RCAF 111(F) Squadron, the RCAF 14(F) Squadron arrived in Umnak, AK in March, 1943 to aide in the war in Alaska. Louis Cochand was part of that 15 strong P-40 Kittyhawk squadron. Flying Officer Cochand was from St. Marguerite, Quebec. He joined the RCAF as a fighter pilot at the age of […]