Editing Ray Henault

{{Short description|Royal Canadian Air Force general}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[General (Canada)|General]]
| name             = Ray Henault
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|CM|CMM|MSC|CD|size=100%}}
| image            = Ray Henault 071010-D-7203T-004.jpg
| alt              = 
| caption          = Henault in 2007
| nickname         = 
| birth_name       = Raymond Roland Joseph Henault
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1949|04|26}}
| birth_place      = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], Canada
| death_date       = 
| death_place      = 
| allegiance       = {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]]
| branch           = [[Royal Canadian Air Force|Air Command]]
| serviceyears     = 1968–2008
| rank             = [[General (Canada)|General]]
| servicenumber    = 
| unit             = 
| commands         = [[Chairman of the NATO Military Committee]]<br/>[[Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]<br/>Deputy Chief of Defence Staff<br/>Assistant Chief of Air Staff<br/>Chief of Staff for Operations<br/>Directorate of Land Aviation<br/>CFB Portage la Prairie<br/>10 Tactical Air Group<br/>444 Tactical Helicopter Squadron
| battles          = [[Kosovo War]]
| awards           = [[Member of the Order of Canada]]<br/>[[Order of Military Merit (Canada)|Commander of the Order of Military Merit]]<br/>[[Meritorious Service Cross]]<br/>[[Canadian Forces' Decoration]]<br/>[[Commander of the Order of St. John]]
| alma_mater       = [[University of Manitoba]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Legum Doctor|LLD]] ''honoris causa'')<br/>[[National Defence College (Canada)|National Defence College]]<br/>[[École supérieure de guerre]]
| relatives        = 
}}

[[General (Canada)|General]] '''Raymond Roland Joseph Henault''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|CM|CMM|MSC|CD}} (born April 26, 1949) is a retired [[Canadian Forces Air Command|Canadian Air Force]] officer. He was the [[Chief of Defence Staff (Canada)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] of Canada from June 28, 2001 to June 17, 2005 and then [[Chairman of the NATO Military Committee]] from 2005 until 2008, when he retired.

==Education==
Born in [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], Canada, Henault is fluent in both English and French. He graduated from both the [[École supérieure de guerre]] Aerienne in Paris and the National Defence College of Canada in Kingston. He holds a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree, and an honorary [[Doctor of Laws]], from the [[University of Manitoba]].<ref name=nato/>

==Military career==
Henault enrolled in the [[Canadian Forces]] in 1968.<ref name=nato>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/cv/milcom/henault-e.htm |title=Biographies: Chairman of the Military Committee |website=nato.int |publisher=NATO |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229204903/http://www.nato.int/cv/milcom/henault-e.htm |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> On completion of [[aviator|pilot]] [[training]] at [[CFB Borden]], Ontario, and [[RCAF Station Gimli|CFB Gimli]], Manitoba, Henault was transferred to [[CFB Bagotville]], Québec, where he served as a [[CF-101 Voodoo]] pilot with [[425 Tactical Fighter Squadron|425 Squadron]].<ref name=blatherwick>{{cite web|url=https://www.blatherwick.net/documents/Chiefs%20of%20Defense%20Staff%20Canada/Henault%20General%20Raymond%202001%20to%202004.pdf|title=General Raymond Roland Joseph Henault, CMM, MSC, CD, BA, LLD (Hon)|publisher=Blatherwick|accessdate=25 October 2018}}</ref> In 1972, he became a [[flight instructor]] on the [[Beechcraft Musketeer|Musketeer]] at CFB Portage la Prairie.<ref name=blatherwick/> In 1974, he served a second tour at CFB Bagotville, this time as an [[air traffic controller]].<ref name=blatherwick/>

In 1976, Henault was posted to [[408 Squadron]] at [[CFB Edmonton]], Alberta, to fly the [[CH-135 Twin Huey]] helicopter.<ref name=blatherwick/> In 1980 he moved to [[CFB Valcartier]], Québec, as Staff Officer (Aviation) in 5 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters.<ref name=blatherwick/> In 1981, he was promoted to the rank of [[Major (rank)|major]] and transferred to 430<sup>e</sup> Escadron at CFB Valcartier, where he served as the Twin Huey Flight Commander.<ref name=blatherwick/>

In January 1985, he came to National Defence Headquarters in [[Ottawa]] to assume responsibility for Doctrine and International Programs in the Directorate of Land Aviation.<ref name=blatherwick/> He was promoted to the rank of [[lieutenant-colonel]] in June 1985, and appointed Project Director for the Canadian Forces Light Helicopter Project at NDHQ.<ref name=blatherwick/>

In June 1987, Henault was appointed the Commanding Officer of 444(CA) Tactical Helicopter Squadron at [[CFB Lahr]], Germany.<ref name=nato/> In June 1989, he was transferred to Air Command Headquarters in Winnipeg as Senior Staff Officer Requirements. He was promoted to the rank of [[colonel]] in July 1990, and appointed Base Commander of CFB Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.<ref name=nato/> In July 1992, he was appointed the Deputy Commander of 10 Tactical Air Group at [[CFB Montreal]]. In August 1993, he was posted to the National Defence College in [[Kingston, Ontario]] to attend Course No. 47.<ref name=blatherwick/>

He was promoted to the rank of [[brigadier-general]] in May 1994,<ref name=blatherwick/> and assumed command of 10 Tactical Air Group headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. In July 1995, he was posted to Air Command Headquarters and appointed Chief of Staff Operations.<ref name=blatherwick/>

From June to December 1996, General Henault served as Chief of Staff J3/Director-General Military Plans and Operations at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.<ref name=nato/> From January to October 1997, Henault was appointed [[Acting]] [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)|Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff]]. He was promoted to the rank of [[Major-General (Canada)|major-general]] on 1 April 1997.<ref name=blatherwick/>

From September 1997 to September 1998, Henault served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.<ref name=blatherwick/> On 15 August 1998 he was promoted to the rank of [[lieutenant-general]] and served as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff from September 1998 to June 2001.<ref name=nato/> Henault was promoted to his present rank and appointed Chief of the Defence Staff on 28 June 2001.<ref name=nato/><ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/nato/chiefmilitaryadviser.html CBC News Indepth: NATO]</ref>

He holds the rank of Commander of the [[Order of Military Merit (Canada)|Order of Military Merit]] (CMM), [[Venerable Order of St. John|The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem]] (Serving Member), and Commander of the French [[Legion of Honour]].<ref name=nato/>

Henault was elected to the position of [[Chairman of the Military Committee|Chairman of the NATO Military Committee]] in November 2004<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-s-henault-gets-nato-s-top-military-post-1.516109|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041119014819/http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/11/17/henault-nato-041117.html|url-status=live|archive-date=November 19, 2004|title=Canada's Henault gets NATO's top military post}}</ref> and assumed that position at [[NATO]] headquarters in [[Brussels, Belgium]] in June 2005.<ref name=nato/> He held that position until 2008, when he finally retired from the military and returned to Canada.<ref name=blatherwick/>

[[File:Keating commands norad1.jpg|thumb|Henault (left)]]

==Awards==

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Military Science from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2005, and in 2006 an Honorary Professorship at the University of Pecs in Hungary.<ref name="NWC">{{Cite web |url=http://newwestminstercollege.ca/press-release-general-raymond-henault-royal-canadian-air-force-retd-appointed-governor-of-new-westminster-college/ |title=Press Release: General Raymond Henault, Royal Canadian Air Force (Ret'd) appointed Governor of New Westminster College |website=newwestminstercollege.ca |publisher=New Westminster College |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229194654/http://newwestminstercollege.ca/press-release-general-raymond-henault-royal-canadian-air-force-retd-appointed-governor-of-new-westminster-college/ |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref>

The Manitoba branch of the Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada awarded Henault the 2008 recipient the Birchall Leadership Award in July.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aviation.ca/200807085907/news/canada/military/5907-general-rr-ray-henault-recognized-with-birchall-leadership-award |title=General R.R (RAY) Henault Recognized with Birchall Leadership Award  |website=aviation.ca |publisher=Skytech Dynamics Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229211626/http://www.aviation.ca/200807085907/news/canada/military/5907-general-rr-ray-henault-recognized-with-birchall-leadership-award |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> 
He was awarded the Order of Military Merit,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/pub/chabmcf-dhccmfc-eng.asp |title=Canadian Honours and Awards Bestowed upon Members of the Canadian Forces |website=cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca |publisher=National Defence |access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> and received the [[Meritorious Service Cross]] in November 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13376 |title=Military Decorations Ceremony |website=gg.ca |publisher=[[Governor General of Canada]] |access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> 
He was awarded United States Legion Of Merit at the rank of Commander; French Legion of Honour at the rank of Commander; Czech Cross of Merit at the rank of Commander; Belgian Order of the Grand Croix at the rank of Commander; and the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary. He has also been awarded: the Ukrainian Medal of Honour, NATO Meritorious Service Cross, Commander of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.<ref name=nato/>

He was appointed as a Member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 2023. He currently resides in [[Courtenay, British Columbia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/order-canada-appointees-december-2023|title=Order of Canada appointees – December 2023 |date=22 December 2023 |publisher=[[Governor General of Canada]]|accessdate=2023-12-28}}</ref>

==Honours and decorations==
Source:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hubbellawards.com/board/henault.jpg|title=Photo of Ray Henault}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pictures/2008_06_080613l-hun-cmc/20081030_080613l-004.jpg|title=Photo of Ray Henault}}</ref>
<div class= "center">
<br />
[[File:Rcaf Flight wings.png|200px]]
<br />
[[File:CAN Order of Canada Member ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:CAN Order of Military Merit Commander ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:Order of St John (UK) ribbon -vector.svg|100px]]
<br />
[[File:CAN Meritorious Service Cross (military division) ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:Special Service Medal Ribbon.png|100px]]
[[File:CAN 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:UK Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|100px]]
<br />
[[File:CD-ribbon and 2 bars.png|100px]]
[[File:US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png|100px]]
[[File:Legion Honneur Commandeur ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:CZE Cross of Merit Min-of-Def 1st BAR.svg|100px]]
<br />
[[File:BEL Kroonorde Commandeur BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:UKR-MOD – Commendation For Merits-2013-ribbon.PNG|100px]]
[[File:HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (military) 3class BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:NATO Meritorious Service Medal bar.svg|100px]]

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:silver;" align="center"
|Ribbon || Description || Notes
|-
|[[File:CAN Order of Canada Member ribbon.svg|40px]]|| Member of the Order of Canada|| Awarded in 2023
|-
|[[File:CAN Order of Military Merit Commander ribbon.svg|40px]] || [[Order of Military Merit (Canada)|Order of Military Merit]] (CMM) || Awarded Commander in 2016
|-
|[[File:Order of St John (UK) ribbon -vector.svg|40px]]||[[Order of St John of Jerusalem]]|| Degree of Commander 
|-
|[[File:CAN Meritorious Service Cross (military division) ribbon.svg|40px]]||[[Meritorious Service Cross]] (MSC)||
|-
|[[File:Special Service Medal Ribbon.png|40px]] ||[[Special Service Medal (Canada)|Special Service Medal]]||
|-
|[[File:CAN 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal ribbon.svg|40px]]||125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal||
|-
|[[File:UK Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|40px]]|| Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal||
|-
|[[File:QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|40px]]|| Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal||
|-
|[[File:CD-ribbon and 2 bars.png|40px]] || [[Canadian Forces' Decoration]] (CD) || 32 Years of Service in the Canadian Forces
|-
|[[File:US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png|40px]]||[[Legion of Merit]]||Degree of Commander
|-
|[[File:Legion Honneur Commandeur ribbon.svg|40px]]||[[Legion d'Honneur]]|| Degree of Commander
|-
|[[File:CZE Cross of Merit Min-of-Def 1st BAR.svg|40px]]||[[Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic]]||Degree of Commander
|-
|[[File:BEL Kroonorde Commandeur BAR.svg|40px]]||Belgian Order of the Grand Cross|| Degree of Commander
|-
|[[File:UKR-MOD – Commendation For Merits-2013-ribbon.PNG|40px]]||Medal for
Strengthening Defence of Ukraine
|-
|[[File:HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (military) 3class BAR.svg|40px]]|| Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary ||
|-
|[[File:NATO Meritorious Service Medal bar.svg|40px]]|| NATO Meritorious Service Medal ||
|-
|}
</div>

==Post-military career==
[[File:Raymond Henault NATO.jpg|thumb]]
ADGA RHEA Group of Companies, an engineering consulting company, appointed Henault Chairman of their Strategic Advisory Board in November 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/AppNoticeArticleHTMLTemplate?tf=GlobeInvestor/AppNotices/DisplayNotice.html&cf=GlobeInvestor/AppNotices/config-neutral.cfg&slug=Henault&date=20081112 |title=ADGA RHEA Group of Companies: General R. R. Henault CMM, MSC, CD (Ret'd), Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Board |website=globeinvestor.com |publisher=[[The Globe and Mail]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229210705/http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/AppNoticeArticleHTMLTemplate?tf=GlobeInvestor%2FAppNotices%2FDisplayNotice.html&cf=GlobeInvestor%2FAppNotices%2Fconfig-neutral.cfg&slug=Henault&date=20081112 |archivedate=December 29, 2016 |accessdate=December 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2013, Henault joined the board of directors of the [[Pearson Peacekeeping Centre|Pearson Centre]].<ref>[http://www.thepearsoncentre.ca/ Pearson Centre]</ref> In August 2013, he was appointed Governor to the Board of Governors of New Westminster College.<ref name="NWC"/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|position=left}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{succession box|title=[[Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]|
                 before=[[Maurice Baril|J. G. M. Baril]]|
                 after=[[Rick Hillier|R. J. Hillier]]|
                 years=2001–2005}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Harald Kujat]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chairman of the NATO Military Committee]]|years=2005–2008}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Giampaolo Di Paola]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)}}
{{Chairmen of the NATO Military Committee}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henault, Ray}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Canadian military personnel from Manitoba]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Defence Staff (Canada)]]
[[Category:Canadian Forces Air Command generals]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of St John]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:University of Manitoba alumni]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Winnipeg]]
[[Category:Royal Military College of Canada people]]
[[Category:NATO military personnel]]
[[Category:Franco-Manitoban people]]
[[Category:Air traffic controllers]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of Military Merit (Canada)]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of Canada]]
[[Category:People from Courtenay, British Columbia]] 
[[Category:Canadian military personnel from British Columbia]]