Wayne King was born and raised in Southern Alberta and began his military career in 1959 with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) while attending the University of Alberta. While completing his Engineering Degree he started training as a pilot for the RCAF. On graduation at RCAF Station Portage La Prairie he was posted to RCAF Station Bagotville for further training on the CF-101 Voodoo with 3 (All Weather) Operational Training Unit and 425 Squadron. His next tour was in RCAF Headquarters in Ottawa after which he was posted to 435 (Transport) Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Namao in Edmonton on the C 130 Hercules aircraft. He then began an exchange tour at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina flying the C-141 Starlifter aircraft. On return to Canada he attended Staff College in Toronto. On completion of that course he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and posted to Ottawa on the Vice Chief of Defence Staff. His next assignment was as Commanding Officer of 429 Squadron in Winnipeg and thereafter as Executive Assistant to the Commander of Air Command. He was then promoted to Colonel and posted to the National Defence College in Kingston but due to family priorities he was unable to attend and took his retirement. He retired to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1986. Wayne King is a very active member of the Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart Branch No. 4, 702 Wing RCAF Association, and the Masons.
