Category: Memories

Remembering Wally Introduction & Book

On January 11th, 1989, Captain Walter “Nemo” Niemi was killed when his CF-18 Hornet crashed near CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

Throughout the following year, his wife Mary and sister Nicki collaborated to create a book, “Remembering Wally” — a collection of photos, accomplishments, and memories submitted by his family and friends.

Originally only available in printed form, the book had limited availability and was slowly deteriorating as the years passed. Now, finally, it has been digitized and is available for download so it can be preserved and appreciated by anyone who may have had a connection to Wally!

Download PDF – 40MB – Updated 2018-10-18

  • by nick

One-way Ticket to Turkey

Above photo courtesy of Mike Kaehler. This is what he wrote along with it:

“Here is the last photo I took of 104891 with Capt. Niemi. I had just finished doing the ‘last chance’ check on that aircraft and it was taxiing for take-off from the opposite end of the runway. This was the last 104 to take off on the last deployment sending 104s to Turkey from Italy. I worked in the J-79 engine test cell and was sent on the final deployment to Gioia Del Colle to launch the last Canadian CF-104s to Turkey. Capt. Niemi flew the last 104 out of Gioia Del Colle. He flew 104891 and departed at 11:16 on 7 May 1986. I along with Bob Johnson did the final ‘last chance’ check on his aircraft before he took off. We all watched this last 104 take off and he did something no one expected. He stayed low, built up speed then zoomed and rolled the aircraft with full external fuel tanks. We all cheered.”