Prairie Flyer II Summer 2012

8 Lessons Learned at
NAOSH
12 Snowbirds Opening
Show
16 Snowbirds 2012 Acceptance Show
18 Here Comes the Calvary
22 Is that My Body Talking?
26
Volunteer Appreciation &
Sports Award Banquet
34
Military Camping Program Open for Business
36 RCAF Wings
40 4 Pillar Challenge & its
winners
Summer/Printemps 2012
6
News and Updates — Actualités
4
5
6
8
12
20
Wing Commander’s Message
Wing Chief Warrant Officer’s Reflections
Canadian Forces Appreciation
Lessons Learned at NAOSH: big 2 pilot shares
once in a life time experience
10
11
12
14
16
18
20
Prairie wind brings news from the tower!
News from Bushell Park Community Council
A Successful opening show
CFHA Update—Summer 2012
2012 Snowbirds Acceptance Show
Here comes the Calvary
2 CFFTS HQ and OR News
Cover Photo: (From L to R) MLA for Moose Jaw North, Warren Michelson, members of 15 Wing’s Personnel Support Programs and Military Family Resource Centre (blue shirts), MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow, Greg Lawrence, Cindy MacDonald – Executive Director of Operations for Parks, Culture and Sport for the Province of Saskatchewan, Lieutenant
Colonel Brian Murray, 15 Wing – Chief of Staff and members of the Buffalo Pound – Saskatchewan Parks department
celebrated the commencement of the Military Family Camping Program at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park on
June 8th.
PHOTOS TAKEN BY SGT FRANK MORIN
Publications Staff
Manager:
Maj Joanne Ubell
Editor/Public Affairs Officer:
Capt Susan Magill
Admin/Sales: Mr. Dave Lyons
Production & Publication Assistant:
Ms. Lesley Kimmen
THE PRAIRIE FLYER II
15 Wing Moose Jaw
PO Box 5000
Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7Z8
Phone: (306) 694-2269
Fax: (306) 694-2845
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
26
Sports — Sports
22
23
24
Is that My Body Talking?
Compete and Complete!
15 Wing Golf Play Downs/ 3CFFTS Golf Tournament
Community — Communauté
28
25
26
Young Reservist Officer Workshop
28
32
34
Royal Saudi Air Force
36
RCAF Wings
Volunteer Appreciation and Sports Awards Banquet
Youth and Teen Update
Military Family Camping Program Officially Open
for Business
34
Health and Wellness — Santé et Bien-Être
39
40
42
45
Traffic Troubles
45
15 Wing 4 Pillar Challenge
Summer’s Not All Fun: Self Care Tips
Cooking and Home Fires
AUTHORITY AND EXCLUSION CLAUSE
AUTORISATION ET CLAUSE D'EXCLUSION
The Prairie Flyer II Newsletter is published quarterly under
the authority of the Commander of 15 Wing Moose Jaw,
Col Marc Bigaouette. The opinions expressed are those of
the contributor and to not reflect those of the Editor, Canadian Forces or DND. The Editor reserves the right to reject,
edit or condense any editorial or advertising material.
Printed locally.
Le bulletin Prairie Flyer II est publié à chaque trimestre sous
l'autorité du Col Marc Bigaouette, Commandant de la 15e Escadre Moose Jaw. Les opinions personnelles exprimées dans
ce journal sont celles des collaborateurs et ne représentent pas
les opinions de la rédaction, des Forces canadiennes ou du
ministère de la Défense nationale. La rédaction se réserve le
droit de refuser, d'éditer ou de condenser tout article et matériel de réclame soumis. Imprimé localement.
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Prairie Flyer II welcomes voluntary articles and photograph submissions from all members of the military and
surrounding communities. Please consider the following
guidelines when submitting your articles and photographs:
⇒ articles should be sent in MS Word format.
⇒ aim for no more than 300 words
⇒ articles and photos must include author's/
photographer's full name, rank and position for attribution.
⇒ send all photos or graphics as independent documents in .jpg format
⇒ photographs must have a minimum resolution of
300 dpi.
DIRECTIVES DE SOUMISSION
Le Prairie Flyer II encourage les soumissions volontaires d'articles et de photos de la part du personnel militaire et des communautés environnantes. Prière de considérer les directives
suivantes avant de soumettre vos articles et photos:
⇒ les articles devraient être soumis en format MS Word.
⇒ les articles ne devraient pas excéder 300 mots.
⇒ tous les articles et photos doivent contenir le nom, le
grade et la position de l'auteur ou photographe pour les
fins d'attribution.
⇒ soumettre tous les photos ou graphiques en fichier indépendant format .jpg
⇒ la résolution minimale des photos soumise est de 300
ppp.
NEWS On the very same day of that event, 431
(Air Demonstration) Squadron started
their season with a successful show over
the blue skies of 15 Wing. Many families
were in attendance and I wish the Snowbirds all the best over the 2012 air show
season.
Dear members of the 15 Wing community,
Congratulations you have survived another Prairie Winter! Summer is upon us
and 15 Wing has been busy this past
spring with numerous activities beginning
with the investiture of our new Honorary
Colonel Jim Hunter. Welcome home to 15
Wing. We are happy to have you on
board.
We’ve celebrated numerous grads in the
past three months at 2 Canadian Forces
Flying Training School (2 CFFTS) here in
Moose Jaw, 3 Canadian Forces Flying
Training School (3 CFFTS) in Portage as
well as with the American flying program,
Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training
(ENJJPT), in Wichita Falls, Texas. Our
Canadian and NFTC pilots are being
trained at these locations and this is a
tribute to the fine work of our staff as well
as the strong support of our families that
has allowed us this success. Congratulations to you all!
In May, the North American Occupational
Safety and Health awareness luncheon
was a rousing success, well-attended by
all organizations on base both military
and civilian. A special thank you goes to
Major Brian Bews, 2 CFFTS Operations
Officer, who was the keynote speaker for
the event as well as our Wing General
Safety Officer, Carla Forester for her tremendous work in organizing it.
15 Wing had the privilege of hosting a
ceremony for Citizenship and Immigration
Canada where thirty people were officially
sworn in as Canadian citizens. It was a
special moment for these new citizens as
well as for the men and women of 15
Wing who helped make this event memorable for the community.
4
This spring, 15 Wing had the opportunity
to host a number of special guests such
as Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall as
well as Brigadier General Briggs of the
US Air Force who is Deputy Commander
of the Canadian NORAD Region based in
Winnipeg. 15 Wing also had the honour of
taking part in the Royal Visit by the Prince
of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. 15
Wing provided an honour guard for this
special event and the Canadian Forces
Snowbirds provided a fly-past over the
Royal couple, a proud moment for me
and a great day for 15 Wing and the Air
Force.
Members of 15 Wing have had the opportunity this spring to honour our history,
taking part in community events such as
the British Commonwealth Air Training
Plan (BCATP) Dedication Ceremony in
Dafoe, Sask as well as the Decoration of
Graves Ceremony in memory of all fallen
military members who passed away in the
local area.
This summer, Personnel Support Programs (PSP) and the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) have provided us
with great opportunities to enjoy the fantastic weather with family and interact
within the community. The month of May
saw 17 Wing Winnipeg play host to the
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Run
which was a tremendous success, attended by men and women from across
Canada, alongside events being held on
bases throughout the country. In June,
the military families camping program was
introduced and throughout the summer,
the families of 15 Wing will have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors with
our beautiful new camper and camping
facilities at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park.
Also in June, we held the Annual Wing
Commander’s fitness challenge. Thank
you to all those who came out and had
fun in this great community event.
Summer is a time not only for camping
and outdoors activities but also saying
goodbye as our co-workers and friends
are posted. The Chief of Staff’s Barbeque
Prairie Flyer II
allowed us to formally gather together and
celebrate our family on the Prairies as
they move on with their careers.
Finally, we finished this period off with the
Canadian Forces Salute to Moose Jaw, a
wonderful air demonstration tribute to the
citizens of Moose Jaw who have supported 15 Wing throughout the years.
Special thanks go to the Sidewalk Days
Festival committee who helped make this
event possible.
Final Comments
As my tenure as your Wing Commander
comes to a close, I would like to end by
saying what an honour and a privilege it
has been to serve with you all. Together
as a community, 15 Wing has grown. We
have witnessed many triumphs from the
tenth anniversary of the NFTC program
and 40th anniversary of the Canadian
Forces Snowbirds to the evolution of the
NFTC training syllabus and addition of
our Saudi partners to the program.
Expansion of the facilities at 15 Wing
show that taking care of our personnel is
at the forefront of priorities for the Air
Force. Such improvements include upgrades to the Red Knight Arena and addition of the Integrated Personnel Support
Centre.
The community life at 15 Wing is alive
and well thanks to the support of the
spouses, children and families of our military members. Thank you for all you do.
You support us and give us the strength
to carry out our duties. 15 Wing’s success
is your success.
To each officer and non-commissioned
member, civilian employee and family
supporter, your dedication and pride in 15
Wing has been outstanding. I thank each
and every one of you for your commitment to the Royal Canadian Air Force
and the Canadian Forces. I wish you all
success in your careers and all the best in
the future.
Sincerely,
Colonel J.A.M Bigaouette
15 Wing Commander
Director NFTC Program
Summer 2012 Edition
sonal self-improvement as well as social activity are just
some of the ways we can make the most out of our lives.
One of the best ways to incorporate balance of activity
and fulfillment from what you do is to make a conscious
decision to get involved in your community.
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity.”
-- Constitution for the World Health Organization, 1948
Life is not just based around work or family alone, instead
it’s a continuous juggling act of personal and professional
needs, as well as the needs of those around you. It’s very
easy to get hung up on one aspect of life and forget about
the rest. This summer, I encourage you to take the time
out of your busy schedules to make time for all aspects of
life. I promise it will lead to a richer experience and a
healthier life.
Because of the NATO Flying Training in Canada program,
military personnel and their families from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,
the UK and the US make up our home here in Moose Jaw.
Like communities across this great country, we come together in the spirit of cooperation and healthy living to
form the great neighbourhood we have here in Bushell
Park. Community is the most basic form of human cooperation and interaction and it is an important part of life at
15 Wing Moose Jaw. Military members from all around the
world and from a variety of backgrounds gather here in
Moose Jaw to make their home if only for a little while.
Despite our differences, we interact, converse, share our
cultures and are all the richer for the experience.
Have a great summer!
Deborah Matthews
Chief Warrant Officer
15 Wing Chief Warrant Officer
In May, Personnel Support Programs (PSP) hosted the
first ever 4 Pillar Challenge here in Moose Jaw in order to
promote well-rounded, healthy living for the community of
15 Wing. For one month, members of 15 Wing logged
events they did throughout the week focussing on four
pillars of healthy living: addictions awareness, nutritional
wellness, social wellness and active living. Kudos to all
our participants on making the decision to live a healthier
life!
As the days get longer and the temperature warms up, I
see the opportunity to get out, be active and enjoy the
beautiful season of summer! There are many ways to get
involved outdoors and take advantage of what the local
community has to offer. In July, the Red Cross Summer
swimming program will begin and PSP will host a family
canoe and kayak outing at Wakamow Park at the beginning of the month. Throughout the summer, the city of
Moose Jaw will play host to numerous fun, outdoor events
including The A-Moosing Race obstacle challenge, Sidewalk Days and the Canadian Forces Salute to Moose Jaw,
the Motif Multicultural Festival, Mega Sports Camp for the
kids and the fourth annual Summerfest Concert Festival in
August!
Being active and enjoying activity are important parts to
living a long, healthy and fulfilling life. Making time for perÉdition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
5
NEWS The CF Community is now estimated to be close to one million
people. The one common and consistent characteristic that
binds this group together is service to Canada, either directly as
a CF member or as family of a military member. Collectively,
we are One Community, One Million Strong.
The CF Appreciation Program was launched to offer a variety
of discounted goods and services to military personnel and their
families in recognition of their sacrifices and dedication. Building on past successes and capitalizing on our one million
strong, the program quickly expanded to include some of the
world’s major hotel chains and businesses. This program provides members of the CF Community with access to a wide
range of discounts and saving through the website:
www.cfappreciation.ca. As the official discount program for
the CF, it has become the principal place to find saving on a
wide variety of goods and services. You are encouraged to log
onto the site and discover whether there are elements of this
program that you will be able to use. You will want to consult
the site often as it will continually be updated with new industry
partners and special offers. Please let the Program team know
that you have suggestions for new business, goods and services
for incorporation within our program.
In order to maintain regular contact with you regarding this
program, as well as other morale and welfare programs and
service offered by Personnel and Family Support Services, you
ma y either logon to the Program website
www.cfappreciation.ca and complete the “join our program”
form, or complete the enclosed form and return it to the address
indicated. You may also complete and separate form which can
be found on our website, for any members of your family that
may wish to join.
You can find information on program eligibility requirements
in the FAQ section on the website.
For any questions you may be regarding the CF Appreciation
Program, you can call the hotline at 1-855-235-3099.
La communauté des Forces canadiennes (FC) est actuellement
estimée à près d’un million de personnes. La caractéristique
commune que partagent les membres de ce groupe est qu’ils
sont au service du Canada soit comme membre des FC ou
comme membre de la famille d’un militaire. Ensemble, nous
sommes une communauté, forte d’un million de membres.
Le Programme de reconnaissance des Forces canadiennes a été
créé pour offrir divers biens et services à prix réduit aux militaires et à leur famille en reconnaissance de leurs sacrifices et de
leur dévouement. S’appuyant sur les succès antérieurs et tirant
profit de notre force d’un million de membres, le programme
s’est étendu rapidement pour inclure quelques-unes des plus
grandes chaînes d’hôtels et entreprises à l’échelle internationale. Grâce à ce programme, les membres de la communauté
des FC ont accès à une variété de rabais et d’économies par
l’entremise du site: www.reconnaissancefc.ca. Le Programme
de reconnaissance des FC, programme de rabais officiel des
Forces canadiennes, est l’endroit où réaliser des économies sur
une vaste gamme de biens et de services. Nous vous invitons à
visiter le site pour y découvrir les éléments de ce programme
qui peuvent vous être utiles. Consultez-le souvent afin de voir
les mises à jour régulières de nos entreprises partenaires ainsi
que les offres spéciales. Faites part de vos suggestions à l’équipe du programme quant aux entreprises, aux biens et services qu’elle pourrait ajouter au programme.
Afin d’entretenir une communication régulière avec vous
concernant ce programme ainsi que tout programme ou service
visant le bien-être et le maintien du moral qu’offrent les Services de soutien au personnel et aux familles, nous vous invitons
à vous rendre sur le site www.reconnaissancefc.ca pour y remplir le formulaire d’inscription au programme et le retourner à
l’adresse indiquée. Vous pouvez également y remplir un formulaire distinct pour chaque membre de votre famille qui veut
adhérer au programme.
Vous y trouverez des renseignements sur l’admissibilité au programme à la section Foire aux questions (FAQ) du site Web.
Pour obtenir des renseignements sur le Programme de reconnaissance des Forces canadiennes, composez le numéro sans
frais 1-855-235-3099.
6
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
Southport, MB – 3 Canadian Forces Flight Training
School (3CFFTS) personnel were out in force to pick up
the winter debris alongside the highways leading into Portage la Prairie on Sunday 23 April.
Capt Mike Houle, of 3CFFTS, spearheaded the project
within the school and generated interest for volunteers.
The fifty 3CFFTS personnel that volunteered their Sunday
to clean up worked tirelessly for 6 hours. The team was
comprised of students, instructors, and family members.
They scoured the highway from the gates of Southport
north to Meighan Ave, and also Saskatchewan Ave from
the Co-op west to the highway. The debris ranged from
general garbage to car parts, and even a two stroke engine from a leaf blower!
This clean-up project is another great example of over 40
years of community ties between Portage la Prairie and
3CFFTS. The effort of the volunteers was easily evident
by the clean green space leading into Southport Monday
morning.
Photo:
With assistance from one of the younger members of the team,
Capt Mike Houle loads some of the 255 bags of garbage and 55
bags of recycling for transport to dump hill.
Once the numbers came in from the city, the amount of
garbage collected was staggering. In total, the team collected 255 bags of garbage weighing in at 2900 lbs! The
team sorted the garbage as they collected, and were able
to fill 55 bags with recycling which did not have to go into
our landfill. The project was supported by both the Province, who supplied all the bags, and the city who provided
all the necessary safety equipment.
PHOTO CREDIT – DND
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
7
By Carla Forester—15 Wing
WGSO/WESO/WRadSO
When asked if Maj. Brian Bews enjoyed public speaking: “Honestly, no I
don't. It's something I force myself to
do, hoping that someone will get
something out of what I say. At the
very least people will usually see the
video and think, ‘wow that must have
been one heck of a ride!’ and it
was…”
On May 10, 15 Wing Moose Jaw
hosted a luncheon in honour of
NAOSH (North American Occupational Safety and Health) awareness
week. The event was organized by
Carla Forester, Wing General Safety
Officer and the Wing General Safety
team made up of volunteers, both
military and civilian, from throughout
the base. The luncheon was well attended as over 90 people, civilian and
military members, including heads of
departments from all organizations at
the Wing showed up to support this
event.
“I think NAOSH is an opportunity to
shed the spotlight in a positive way
on safety and it’s an opportunity to
provide instances where safety training has either saved a life or worked,”
said Ms. Forester.
The highlight for most was the keynote speech by Major Brian Bews,
Operations Officer for 2 Canadian
Forces Flying Training School. Major
Bews spoke of his flying experience
as the 2010 CF-18 demonstration
pilot. During that season, while practicing for the Lethbridge Air Show,
Major Bews experienced an engine
failure and his CF-18 fell to the
ground from 300 feet in the air.
Thankfully, he was able to eject and
escape with his life as his jet crashed
before his very eyes.
“I believe that through my experience
and training I have gained certain
lessons that can be passed on to
other people. It is largely (about) flying operations, but (the lessons) can
also be used in all areas of life at
work and at home. I felt somewhat
obligated to help out, hoping that my
lessons can make things safer for
other people,” he commented about
why he speaks about his experience.
Every year in Canada, hundreds of
thousands of employees are injured
due to work-related accidents. Similar
rates of incidents also occur in the US
and Mexico. As part of the creation of
the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), government
and industry organizations throughout
North America now take the time
each year to focus on workplace
safety. They call this event NAOSH
Week.
Major Bews encouraged the attendees of the luncheon to consider all
the risks of their own jobs everyday
and be sure to really know and understand their emergency procedures in
the event that they may be used at a
moments notice. He took the time to
discuss the CF-18 accident in
Lethbridge, Alta. and gave the audience a first hand account of his experience.
“A common saying is that you start
your pilot career with a full bag of luck
and an empty bag of experience. The
goal is to fill your bag of experience
before your bag of luck runs out. Any
experience I can pass on to students
early in their career will hopefully help
them as they continue to learn to fly,”
remarked Maj. Bews. “I have something to share with other pilots that
may help them in their career.”
Carla Forester gave reason to why
Maj. Bews experience makes for
such a compelling and fitting story:
“…because his experience is something that everybody wants to hear
and needs to know: How does our
training actually work when it needs
to count,” said Ms. Forester. “Even if
you have first aid training, how is that
going to work when it needs to? Does
our mind actually turn a switch when
its time? Safety training is something
that we are always thinking about
without even realizing it…It’s not
something you actually consciously
think about, you just do it because of
the training. Maj Bews took some
procedures and inherently knew what
to do when the time was right.”
Thanks to the great participation from
15 Wing and the positive response to
Maj Bews presentation, the organizers of the 2012 NAOSH luncheon
have officially declared the event a
success. “I think (the NAOSH luncheon) went fabulously. I had a lot of
compliments come to me. We had
students from Vanier (Collegiate
School), from the Smart Risk Program, come up to me and they were
so excited. I sincerely hope some
people approached Maj. Bews because I had a lot of people approach
me about how good he was as a
speaker,” said Ms Forester.
Carla Forester and the whole general
safety team would like to thank all
those who have made safety a priority in their daily lives and would like to
especially thank all the volunteers
who made this event happen including the following:
Linda Beaulieu, Dental Detachment
Catherine Broscha, Personnel Support Programs
Amy Blanchard, Military Family Resource Centre
Cheryl Charters, SERCO
Kristy Onyskevitch, 2 Canadian
Forces Flying Training School
MCpl Perry Avinou,
2 Canadian
Forces Flying Training School
(Continued from page 8)
Ms. Forester ended with following sage advice for all
members of 15 Wing:
“Safety is a personal choice. Nobody is
standing over you to make sure that you
wear the proper gear or follow the correct
procedures. In the end, it’s your own life and
the lives of those around you, both coworkers and loved ones that are at stake.”
NEWS Spring 2012 was a busy time
for the 15 Wing Air Traffic Control personnel. Not only were we providing air
traffic services at the busiest Aerodrome in the Canadian Forces, our
members were deploying, training, taking courses and giving a little back to
the community.
Promotions
Two of our tower personnel
were promoted in May. I would like to
offer congratulations to our newly promoted members, Capt Will Leights and
Capt Myron Blanchard.
Qualifications
In ATC we’re always training.
Very rarely is there a lack of trainees to
be found around the unit. It’s a remarkable accomplishment when a member
attains their qualification and all of their
hard work finally pays off. In the terminal Capt Jeff Seeley re-qualified as a
terminal/arrival controller, Cpl J.S.
Lanoue qualified in the PAR controller
position and Cpl Siobhan Parr qualified
in the terminal assistant position. Up in
the tower Cpl Rafayel Khatchatryan
qualified in the tower b-stand position.
Where we’ve been and where we are
It’s not strange to see 15 Wing
ATC members deployed all over the
country and overseas. Our leadership
has made these highly sought after
deployments a reality, giving excellent
career building opportunities and personal development for our members.
This May, Capt Doug Godden was deployed to Op Maple Resolve in Wainright and Op Gypsy Wanderer in Trenton.
Currently Cpl Luis GalindoGuzman is deployed as an ATC Tech
to Op Calumet in Siani and will return to
Moose Jaw later this year in October.
Capt Ryan Donovan is currently in the
work up phase for his upcoming 8
month deployment to Afghanistan for
Op Attention. Ryan leaves in October
and will be taking the position of S7
Advisor.
Courses are another huge part
10
of what makes up our unit. Capt Chris
Gran is off completing his VFR course
at CFSACO and will be back at the end
of June to begin his qualification in the
tower. Capt Will Leights and Capt
Myron Blanchard completed the On
Scene Control and Emergency Response (OSCER) course in Trenton.
Capt Blanchard also recently completed
the Space Applications course in Winnipeg. MCpl Tex Young instructed candidates enrolled under the Canadian
Forces Aboriginal Entry Program
(CFAEP) in Borden. MCpl Bruce Clark
and Cpl Guillaume Thibault attended a
simulator training course at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Operations (CFSACO) in Cornwall, learning a new PAR simulator program. Pte
Samuel Laliberte was successful on his
ground control course at CFSACO in
April and currently under checkout in
the ground control position in the tower.
ATC personnel eagerly
stepped up to provide members for the
Honour Guard for the Royal Visit in
May. This event included the following
ATC personnel: MCpl Stu Blaschuck,
MCpl Dan Stasiuk, Cpl Rafayel
Khachatryan, Cpl J.S. Lanoue and Pte
Cory Chester. Also involved with the
Royal visit was MCpl Tex Young who
was the Standard Bearer-Striker for the
Royal Flag.
Capt Dave Ryan who is posted to
Greenwood Terminal, WO Greg White
who is posted to Trinity in Halifax, Sgt
Stu Blaschuk who is posted to Thule,
Greenland, Cpl Terry Kenny who is
posted to Comox tower, and both Cpl
Guillaume Thibault and Cpl Justin Danger Donaldson who have been chosen
to teach at CFSACO in Cornwall. Best
wishes to all of our members and their
families on their new adventures.
Personal Notes of Interest
Two ATC families welcomed
babies into their lives this spring. Congratulations to Capt Mike Lang and his
wife Carolyn on the arrival of their twins
Rylan Alexander and Madalyn Olivia
born May 8 weighing 4 lbs 13 oz and 4
lbs 2 oz respectively. Another special
congratulations goes out to Capt Cam
Cormack and Sgt Elizabeth Cormack
for the birth of their son Spencer Ian on
June 6, weighing 8 lbs 5 oz.
Cpl Caroline Chartrand is an
inspiration to all 15 Wing personnel. In
May, Caroline captured GOLD in the
Division 2 Women’s Cross Fit competition for the Prairie Province Region.
Way to go Caroline!
We would also like to welcome
back Mrs Jenelle Millar who returned to
the unit from maternity leave in June.
Events
In early June, ATC members
came together for the annual ATC surf
and turf where members enjoy steak
and lobster while recognizing achievements and saying goodbye to members
who are leaving the unit. During this
event the 15 Wing Chief of Staff, LCol
Brian Murray presented MCpl Bruce
Clark and Cpl Guillaume Thibault both
with certificates and Wing Commander’s coins for attaining 5000 PAR
runs, which is quite an accomplishment.
After the recognitions, the 15 Wing Air
Traffic Control officer, our boss, Maj
Bruce MacLean mugged out the personnel leaving the unit this posting season. This year the ATC section will be
saying goodbye to Capt Doug Godden
who is going to 8 ACCS in Trenton,
Prairie Flyer II
I would like to thank Cpl Terry
Kenny for his dedication to writing Prairie Flyer articles over the duration of his
posting here. I look forward to the challenge of taking over his position, writing
articles and continuing to provide updates about the ATC section. In Terry’s
honour I would like to finish by saying
“TOWER OUT”.
Summer 2012 Edition
31. Recreational fire pits on DND property pose an unnecessary risk to personnel and property and shall not be
used except as permitted by this policy. Propane or natural gas fired appliances approved by an organization recognized by the Standards Council of Canada shall not be
subject to the requirements of this policy
f. Controls upon the size and height of the pile of
combustibles to be burned are to be established;
g. The requirement for fire control measures such
as hoses and water tanks shall be considered by the approving senior firefighter; and
h. Authorization shall be obtained from the base/
wing senior firefighter prior to every instance of burning.
32. Solid fuel burning fire pits shall not be used on Residential Housing Unit (RHU) properties.
33. Fire pits (other than for designated campgrounds) for
open air fires may be authorized by the senior firefighter,
but only under the
following conditions:
a. The fire pit is to be in pre-determined location
approved by the senior firefighter;
b. Measures shall be in place to limit fire spread
and shall include provision of sufficient clear space between the fire and adjacent buildings;
c. Prevailing meteorological conditions and the
provincial fire index rating shall be consulted;
d. If required by local municipal regulations, the
requestor is to secure requisite permits;
e. The fire shall remain under close supervision
until such time as the fire is out;
By Lt Anthony Shevchenko- D/W
AdminO / Bushell Park Community
Council
As summer starts kicking in we (the
Community Council) are in charge of
organizing great activities within the
Bushell Park community. Great
events are coming!! Outdoor Movie
Night (watch for the advertisements),
Lawn Beautification Judging in Aug,
the MFRC Open house on the 25 Aug
12 and much…much more!!!
CFHA also has funds (up to $25 per
house) to help residents pay for soil,
plants or even seed fertilizer! Anything that will make the community
looks gorgeous. Bring your receipt to
the CFHA office for reimbursement.
Édition du printemps 2012
There is still the position of Pet Control Officer available for the taking on
the
council.
Cpl
Thibault
has done an
outstanding
job, however
he is moving
so a replacement is needed.
As you probably know, it is the responsibility of the council to enforce
15 Wing Rules and Regulations mandatory for RHU residents. A few rules
we would like to remind everyone for
the summer:
- At all times, residents are
responsible of their pets. Yes, that
means cleaning up after them when
you walk around the RHUs and the
trail, making sure they don’t disturb
Prairie Flyer II
the community and that they’re registered with the community council. The
pet control officer will be present at
the MFRC Open house on the 25 Aug
and it will be a great opportunity to
register your pet if you are a new resident!
- Residents are also responsible for the general cleanliness of
their residence, make sure lawns are
mowed and kid’s bicycles and toys
are picked up. If you are looking for
someone to mow your lawn when you
are away, have a look at the advertising board in Canex, what a great
summer job for the kids it is!
That is all folks! The Bushell Park
Community Council would like to wish
everyone a great, warm and sunny
summer! Enjoy the community and
take care of it!
11
PHOTOS: CAPITAINE JEAN-FRANÇOIS DUPONT
Photo:
Spectators are looking up at the
nine Tutors during the Snowbirds
Home Opener on May 16, 2012,
in Moose Jaw, Sask.
Les spectateurs du spectacle
d'ouverture des Snowbirds admirent les neufs appareils lors de
leur entrée en scène le 16 mai
2012, à Moose Jaw (Sask).
By Second Lieutenant Olivier Gallant, 431 (AD) Sqn
On May 16, under Moose Jaw’s radiantly sunny skies, the Snowbirds put
on their first air show. The 431st Air
Demonstration Squadron had invited
relatives, families and friends to the
2012 opening show. The warm, welcoming atmosphere, and the spinetingling and astounding acrobatics all
contributed to the success of the
event.
At precisely 14:30, the roar of the
engines in the nine aircraft sent a
quiver through the grounds of the 15th
Squadron. A few minutes later, a
plume of white smoke and nine sparkling lights appeared on the horizon.
The Snowbirds criss-crossed the
Moose Jaw sky to a musical beat that
brought the crowd to its feet several
times in amazement at the breathtaking acrobatics.
One spectator commented while
watching breath-taking solos being
performed head to head that, every
year, the Snowbirds give him the
shivers, and that the child in him will
always be amazed by the team’s
aerobatics.
The secret to this enormous success
lies in the values cherished by each
member of the 431st Squadron: skill,
professionalism and team spirit. The
men and women on this great team
work tirelessly to give thousands of
North Americans a chance to admire
the Snowbirds’ signature prowess.
And it isn’t just the squadron members who make the Snowbirds a success…
“The spectators here today support
the members of the squadron directly
or indirectly. It is an enormous pleasure to be able to put on our air show
exclusively for family, friends and
members of the 15 Wing,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Maryse Carmichael,
Édition du printemps 2012
Commander of the 431st Air Demonstration Squadron. “All these people
are crucial to the Snowbirds’ success,
to troop morale. We want to thank
them by showing them the fruit of all
their efforts and sacrifices.”
The Snowbirds will be touring North
America until October: from the east
coast to the west coast, from Inuvik,
NWT, to Daytona, Florida. They will
be worthy representatives of the Canadian Forces for a 42nd season…
These Snowbirds never quit!
Par Sous-lieutenant Olivier Gallant
— 431 (AD) Sqn
C’est sous le soleil radieux de Moose
Jaw que les Snowbirds ont offert leur
première démonstration aérienne le
16 mai dernier. Le 431e Escadron de
démonstration aérienne a convié parents, familles et amis au spectacle
d’ouverture édition 2012. L’ambiance
chaleureuse, la fébrilité et les acrobaties stupéfiantes ont toutes contribué
au succès de l’événement.
À 14 h 30 précisément les moteurs
des neuf appareils ont fait vibrer le
sol de la 15e Escadre. Quelques minutes plus tard, une traînée de fumée
blanche et neuf lumières scintillantes
apparaissaient à l’horizon. Les Snowbirds ont sillonné le ciel de Moose
Jaw au rythme d’une musique entraînante soulevant la foule à plusieurs
reprises
Photo:
en raison des
acroba- Parents, families and friends
ties ver- are amazed by the heart offered to them by the Snowbirds during the Home
Opener on May 16, 2012, in
Moose Jaw, Sask.
Parents, familles et amis
sont ravis par le coeur que
leur offrent les Snowbirds
lors du spectacle d'ouverture
le 16 mai, 2012 à Moose
Jaw (Sask)
Prairie Flyer II
tigineuses.
Chaque année, les Snowbirds réussissent à me donner des frissons. J’ai
l’impression que l’enfant en moi sera
toujours épaté par les voltiges de l’équipe, » affirme un des spectateurs
en regardant les solos s’exécutés lors
d’un face-à-face à en couper le souffle.
Le secret de cet immense succès
réside au cœur même des valeurs
que chérit chacun des membres du
431e Escadron, c’est-à-dire l’excellence, le professionnalisme et l’esprit
d’équipe. Les hommes et les femmes
de cette grande équipe travaillent
d'arrache-pied pour permettre à des
milliers de Nord-Américains d’admirer
les prouesses signées Snowbirds.
Mais le succès des Snowbirds n’est
pas uniquement attribuable aux
membres de l’escadron…
« Les spectateurs présents aujourd’hui appuient de près ou de loin les
membres de l’escadron. C’est un
grand plaisir de pouvoir offrir notre
démonstration en exclusivité aux familles, aux amis ainsi qu’aux membres de la 15e Escadre, » affirme la
Lieutenant-colonel Maryse Carmichael, commandante du 431e Escadron de démonstration aérienne.
« Tous ces gens détiennent une autre clef essentielle au succès des
Snowbirds, c’est-à-dire le moral des
troupes. Nous désirons les remercier
en leur offrant le fruit de tous leurs
efforts et de leurs sacrifices. »
Les Snowbirds seront en tournée jusqu’en octobre partout en Amérique
du Nord : de la côte est à la côte
ouest et d’Inuvik (T.N.-O.) jusqu’à
Daytona (Floride). Ils agiront en tant
que dignes représentants des Forces
canadiennes pour une 42e saison…
Inépuisables, ces Snowbirds!
13
NEWS nadian Forces Personnel Support Agency
(CFPSA) employees, and DND contractors on
contracts over six (6) months,
Submitted by CFHA
Soumis par ALFC
In acknowledgement of the current demand for Department of National Defence (DND) residential housing units
(RHUs formally know as PMQs) that exceeds the supply
at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, it is considered prudent to provide
clarification on the applicable policies and guiding principles for the allocation of Department of National Defence
(DND) residential housing units. For a number of reasons
which are beyond the control of both the CFHA Housing
Services Centre (HSC) office and the 15 Wing management, there is a larger than normal waiting list for RHUs
which is understandably causing significant stress for
those newly posted to this Wing.
The managing authority for residential housing and the
RHUs is CFHA who liaises locally with the Wing through
the Wing Administration Officer to ensure that Wing’s
needs are considered while still ensuring DND policies are
followed. CFHA HSC Moose Jaw currently has an inventory of 161 RHUs, which include 2, 3, and 4 bedroom
units.
The job of managing a large waiting list when there just
simply are not enough RHUs is difficult. As there is a waiting list for Priority one applicants in Moose Jaw, Priority
two and three applicants are not being considered at this
time. Waiting lists are administered by matching the number of bedrooms in an RHU to the household size of the
applicant and taking into account the Change of Strength
(COS) date on a first-come first served basis.
The applications received at CFHA HSC Moose Jaw are
frequently incomplete but only complete applications can
be processed. The mandatory information that must be
provided by a member to make an application complete is
as follows:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Date of application;
Family Name;
Rank;
SN/PRI;
Regular Force;
Reserve Force – class of service and contract
number;
(7) COS Date;
(8) Posting Message;
(9) Requested Occupancy Date;
(10) Household size;
(11) Work/Contact telephone number, Fax number; and
(12) Applicant signature and date.
The DAOD 5024-0 Accommodation Policy and the DND
Living Accommodation Instruction articulate the key principles to be used when allocating RHUs. Applicants are
divided into three (3) categories:
- Priority one includes Regular and Reserve Force
members authorized to move at public expense as well as Foreign military members/
Exchange personnel
- Priority two includes Regular and Reserve Force
members from the local geographical area
who wish to relocate to an RHU.
- Priority three includes Royal Canadian Mounted
Police (RCMP) members, Indeterminate Government of Canada employees, full-time Ca-
14
With pilot training being the primary role of 15 Wing
Moose Jaw, it is a very fluid base with its population constantly changing during the Annual Posting Season (APS),
as well as throughout the year as courses are completed
and pilots graduate. Although CFHA HSC employees try
to provide an estimate of when an RHU will become avail
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
(Continued from page 14)
stitute entitlement, particularly in a situation where we have
such a lengthy waiting list and not enough units to accommodate the demand. The CFHA HSC Moose Jaw staff are
doing their very best to manage the expectations of CF
members and their families and to provide as much information as they can. However, at the end of the day, there
are only so many RHUs available.
able or information as to where a member is on the waiting
list, the actual timing and position can shift based on who
puts in their notice to vacate, the size of a unit becoming
vacant, size of the families on the waiting list, and if the unit
becoming vacant requires renovations. A number of members have requested a copy of the waiting list, particularly
when they are frustrated that it does not appear that they For any questions or clarification regarding this update or
are getting any closer to being allocated an RHU. This is DND residential housing, please contact the CFHA HSC
not possible for a number of reasons, including the require- Office at: (306) 694-1270.
ments of the Privacy Act and members not fully understanding all of the dynamics involved with managing the
waiting list but who want to see their name move up further
on the list. In addition to the CFHA HSC Manager, the
Wing Administration Officer is also available to listen to any
concerns that a member feels are not being addressed to
their satisfaction.
We are fortunate that after a number of years of not being
able to update our RHU portfolio at Moose Jaw, we are
now in a favourable position of finally seeing improvements
occur. This of course does not come without a cost, resulting in having a number of units not available for occupancy
during the renovation period. There are four minor RHU
recapitalization projects scheduled for fiscal year 20122013 (all on Cornell Crescent) that will require these units
to be vacant for a number of months in order for this work
to be completed. There is also a project underway to construct new housing units to replace the existing Row
Houses. This is a longer term project that was planned for
commencement during fiscal year 2011-2012; however,
CFHA is experiencing some delays as department approvals are sought. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Although it is understood that the local housing market and
housing prices remain high, unfortunately one must remember that in accordance with the DND Living Accommodation Instruction, eligibility to occupy RHUs does not con-
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
15
NEWS By Capt. Thomas Edelson (431 (AD) PAO) and Capt.
Holly Brown (CF18 Demo Team PAO)
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and indigo
water, Comox Valley’s airspace—coupled with the tremendous support provided by 19 Wing—makes for an exceptional venue in which the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and
CF18 Demo Team can fine-tune their skills prior to the
start of the 2012 Air Show Season.
Arriving in Comox during the week of 23 April for training week, both teams have come together to finalize their
programs and to further enhance the respective bond that
will transform individuals into the cohesive groups they
need to become to see them through the long weeks and
months ahead on the road.
Each year the teams assemble in Comox with multiple
training objectives: for the pilots, to finesse their aerobatic
performances before they present their respective programs to the Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division at the
Acceptance Show; for the Snowbirds technicians as well
as those that comprise the East and West ground crews of
the CF18 Demo Team, to work together to establish their
procedures and a common protocol for keeping the Tutors
and the Demo Hornet in to performance shape; and for all,
to round out the communication skills they will need in order to present a polished face to the public.
With practices twice daily combined with ground training and briefings, the training period passes by all to
quickly before the day of the Acceptance Show arrives.
This year, the show took place on Thursday, 3 May, with
Commander 1 Canadian Air Division, Major-General Alain
Parent officiating and joined by Division Chief Warrant
Officer Guy St-Jean. Also in attendance were Col Patrice
Laroche, 4 wing commander, Col Benninger, LCol Marries
Carmichael, Commanding Officer 431 (Air Demonstration)
Squadron, Snowbirds honorary Colonel Michael Potter,
and many other dignitaries and officials. And while the
Acceptance Show is officially closed to the media and the
public, the roads and beaches that surround 19 Wing were
filled with onlookers and aviation enthusiasts for the near
and far.
The snowbirds began their acceptance show with the
new 2012 Team Lead, Major Wayne Mott having the other
eight pilots “check-in” just as their nose lights began to
twinkle in the distance. Flying their Flat-Show due to love
cloud and limited visibility the Snowbirds showed their skill
in precise formation flying with graceful passes and banking turns just 500ft above the runway.
“Breaking from tradition, we did a flat show for the acceptance show in Comox this year but having the Commander (of 1 Canadian Air Division) fly with us just a
month ago help give some good impression of what and
how will fly this year.” said LCol Carmichael. “We also had
ample training opportunities in Moose Jaw this winter with
great weather and excellent serviceability for the new
Team Lead and new pilots. We’re all looking forward to
2012.”
Once the Snowbirds had received their official acceptance from the Commander, it was time for the CF18
Demo Team to set up.
The 19 Wing Commander, Colonel Jim Benninger, says the arrival of the Snowbirds and the
CF18 Demo Team are a distinct sign of spring
for Comox residents, both military and civilian.
“It is and honour for us to have them come here
for their training, and to provide them with the
support they need to get the show season
started,” he said. “Everyone looks forward to it.”
Taxiing to the runway, the 2012 Demo Hornet’s paint
scheme reflecting the True North, Strong and Free theme
flashed in the sunlight with it bright shades of blue. Lighting up the afterburners, Captain “Paco” Gobeil launches
into the sky and immediately performs the tricky and very
popular dirty roll takeoff. Soaring nimbly through the components of his aerobatic routine, he showed off manoeuvres such as the vertical roll, the square loop and the dirty
inverted pass. But all below were waiting in anticipation fo
the one show element that has been missing since 2012:
the High Alpha Pass. As the Hornet glides by at 500 feet
above the crowd to the tune “Sail,” time seems to stand
still until Paco engages the afterburners again and accelerates in preparation of his next manueuver. Another
highlight of the program is the high-speed pass. As Captain Gobeil retrains the CF18 to .95 Mach, just below the
speed of sound, a vapour cone flashes around the tail end
of the het and the sky crackles above. Team members
and guests alike break into wide smiles and slap each
other on the shoulders—Captain Gobeil and the True
North Demo Hornet have delivered an outstanding performance!
Once the CF18 returns to the ramp, everyone assembles to congratulate Paco on his performance, to greet the
crew and to admire the stunning paint job on the 2012
Hornet.
“The jet is performing very well, and feels really good,”
said Capt Gobeil. “We have another great team this year
and I can’t wait to get the show on the road and begin the
season.”
The 2012 Acceptance Show is deemed a great success
and the teams can proceed with their respective show
schedules. For the CF18 Demo Team, first on the agenda
is Operation Southern Reach that will take the team to
Brazil, Chile and Jamaica with the goal of demonstrating
the capabilities of the RCAF and ultimately helping to further mutual cooperation among the air forces of our allies.
For the Snowbirds, their return to base is needed for a
short rest before the real season kicks off at home on May
16 in Moose Jaw. Just after the home opener the team
leaves for a show in Winnipeg on May 18 for the first
‘road-show’ of the year and then they’re off to Jones
Beach, New York for their first show in front of hundreds of
thousands of fans in the United States. This year the
Snowbirds will fly in more than 60 events in approximately
40 locations from coast to coast to coast.
“The teams are well prepared for their respective tasks,
putting on an impressive performance while keeping
safety in mind,” said MGen Parent after granting his acceptance of the demo program. “These aircraft are operated by professionals who take their jobs very seriously
while demonstrating their passion for aviation. I have full
confidence they will have a great season.”
PHOTOS: CPL MARC-ANDRÉ GAUDREAULT, CANADIAN FORCES COMBAT CAM-
(Continued from page 16)
Photo:
Members of TF Bison await AAR after final
attack during Ex Bison Warrior
By Cpl Josh Murphy & WO Al
Armoured operations at Bison Warrior Pociuk, Saskatchewan Dragoons - Exercise Bison Warrior was a
valuable training experience for the Armoured Recce Soldiers of 38 Brigade. The exercise would also serve as the
final confirmation of a DP 2 Armour Recce Observers
course for 8 Saskatchewan Dragoon soldiers. On arrival in
Shilo on 27 April it was decided that the Dragoons and the
Fort Garry Horse would combine to form one 8 car Recce
Troop. Other then some minor differences in the way we
use voice procedure and hand signals, our muli-unit cohesion went rather seamlessly during the entire exercise.
The first couple days were spent conducting maintenance
and battle procedure for the stand training portion of the
exercise. The Squadron formed a non tactical leaguer just
west of the FOB where the majority of the Task Force was
located. The first drill that the newly created troop performed was the establishment of a helicopter landing
zone. This drill was also to exercise the helicopter that
would be on call through out the exercise in case of a
medical no duff. It was during these first few days that the
weather pattern would be set as well. Rain, rain and more
rain seemed to be what we were in store for during Bison
Warrior.
On April 30th the Squadron moved out of the training area
into the southern portion of Manitoba. The next 3 days
training would emphasis route recces along highway 2. It
was an excellent training environment to practice drills
such laterals, bridge recces, action in built up areas along
with several others. This was the first time the most of us
had ever participated in a mounted recce exercise outside
of the Dundurn or Shilo training areas. Many valuable lessons were learned and we all experienced the huge challenges and differences when conducting exercises among
the civilian population. Two of the nights were spent in
provincial parks in which we were the only occupants. We
also quickly learned that the rain was not restricted to the
Shilo training area. The most memorable night was spent
on the sports field in the town of Somerset. Word of the
military staying in town spread quite quickly. Before we
knew it almost the entire town was at the sports field.
Quick impromptu dog and pony shows on the G Wagon
and our weapons systems were given by several soldiers
to the very friendly people of Somerset.
With much regret the Squadron returned to the Shilo training area for the combined arms portion of the exercise. As
the recce troop for Task Force (TF) Bison we were tasked
with conducting a route recce that would run south to
north through some very challenging terrain. It was expected that it would take a min of 2 days for the TF to
clear all enemy and capture the two enemy objectives
known as Sugar and Monet. Many more lessons were l
learned while working with the dismounted TF infantry and
engineer units. Actions on obstacles, link up drills, observation posts and establishing fire bases were some of
some of the tasks the troop completed. Much credit must
be given to the soldiers of the enemy force who provided a
realistic and challenging training environment for the TF.
Also credit should be given to the soldiers who prepared
the obstacles and the objectives that were used during the
exercise.
End Ex was called on the morning of May 5th. After an excellent AAR in which each component of the TF was able
to contribute many valuable points we finally returned to
our leaguer location outside the FOB. Post Ex drill included maintenance on the G Wagons, the cleaning of
weapons and the turn in of the Miles gear. Later that night
a TF smoker took place in the FOB. Many war stories
along with burgers and the chance to have 2 beers were
the order of the night. We had one more sleep and of
course woke up to rain on the morning of 6 May. After a
seven hour road move which included stops in Virden,
Indian Head and Regina the Saskatchewan Dragoons finally reached our home in Moose Jaw. Another successful
Brigade Training Event was over for
PHOTO CREDIT – CPL JOSH MURPHY, SASKATCHEWAN
DRAGOONS
Photo:
Gunner - Pte Alex Morin in the gunner’s hatch of call sign
41C during Ex Bison Warrior.
By MCpl Perry Avinou, Wing PSC Supervisor
It has been a busy time for the Big 2. Headquarters has
seen a newly appointed CFI, Maj Rhett Chambers. It is
with no pause that he has stepped right into the hot seat
to ensure a smooth transition. LCol Greenough, Cmdt 2
CFFTS took the opportunity during the 27th June awards
ceremony to recognize and thank the outgoing CFI, Maj
Macdonald in good style. Once his “Mug Out’ was
promptly finished, Maj Macdonald left sound words of advice for the students, instructors, and support staff he is
leaving behind.
During the awards ceremony, what should be a record
number of presentations were made. Capt Wickett, Capt
Paquet, Maj Carani, Capt Coffin, Capt Cormie, and Capt
Olsen received 500 hour Flight Safety awards. Following
that, Capt Pal Szabo and Capt Zaloznik received 1000
hour Flight Safety awards. Next certificates were presented to Capt Wood, Capt Paquet, Maj Carani, Capt Coffin, Capt
Harris, and
Capt Olsen
for 1000
Flight
Hours. On
to recognizing
those with
even
greater
seat time,
Maj Andrews and
20
Capt Demers received 2000 Flight Hours certificates. It
didn’t stop there. 2 Cdn Air Div A2 instructor certifications
were presented to Capt Cormie, Capt Ferris, Capt Nachtigal, Capt Paquet, Capt Postma, Capt Strachan, and Capt
P Szabo..Well deserved awards by all. Capt Wood was
called forward to have his former rank removed in order to
promote him to the rank of Major. The Cmdt made a special presentation to Maj Bews. It was a plaque bearing the
original CF 18 ejection seat handle from the successful
Lethbridge Air show ejection occurrence. Finally, 2 CDS
Commander commendations were awarded to Capt Miock
and Capt Mnaymeh for recognition of life saving assistance the provided to Capt Coffin during a medical emergency. Bravo for those efforts indeed.
The Big 2 OR has been
madly processing promotions for the many recent
pilot grads. MS Morin has
moved to the Wing OR and
MCpl Avinou is back at the
School as OR Supervisor.
Capt Shaw has moved to
431 Sqn and has handed
over the reigns to Lt
Shevchenko, who is on TD
instructing in Borden at the
moment. Shortly, PO Barron
will be reporting to fill the
vacant position of Chief
Clerk. You may remember
him from his time with 431
Sqn OR. Regarding the pilot
produc
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
NEWS (Continued from page 20)
Good luck in your future endeavours all!
th
tion side of things, on 8 June here at 15 Wing, 2Lt Fowler,
2Lt Pierce, and 2Lt McLean completed Hawk training and
were promoted by Col Alaine Pelletier, Director Air Requirements on the Flight line. Later that day they were presented
Wings at a ceremony in the Atrium. Capt Maclean had the
privilege of being presented his Wings by his father, a retired CF pilot. A further 12 pilots graduated from training in
Portage, along with those training through the ENJJPT program in Texas, have been making their long awaited trek
back home to the Big 2 for future postings Canada wide.
Édition du printemps 2012
In summary, the dedication, professionalism, and hard work
put in by the members of 2 CFFTS is abundantly clear and
sets the standard for others to follow. Always up for the
challenges set before us, the Big 2 is truly a school of excellence. Thank you for your part in that!
Prairie Flyer II
21
Fitness By Amy Bomar, CSEP-CPT, FITLaunch Newsletter, www.fitlaunch.com—Submitted by Carly
Marcotte, PSP Fitness Coordinator
You’re excited. You joined your local club and the
group fitness (aerobics) class is about to start. It
begins smooth enough, until you hear your instructor say “listen to your body and modify accordingly.” You think…WHAT? Does my instructor
really think my body is going to speak to me? Listen to what? What should I expect to hear?
The instructor is letting you know that at times
you are responsible for understanding your body’s
fitness capabilities and limitations. While your instructor is trained in recognizing how participants
are doing in the group exercise setting and they
realize not everyone is at the same level at the
same time, they can’t see everything and can’t feel
what your body is saying nearly as well as you.
The instructor, knowing he/she is limited in reading your outward signs, will try to teach you how
to listen to your body and should be offering modifications to most all complicated or high impact
movements. The modifications will give you the
options you need to keep your exercise program
safe and effective.
Your body may talk to you in a number of ways.
Have you ever done repetitive exercises for a period of time and experienced a burning sensation?
This sensation is from the build up of lactic acid
and excess hydrogen ions in the muscles. It is signalling you to slow down and allow your muscles to
get the necessary oxygen they need.
What do you think your body is saying when you
find yourself gasping for breath? It’s most likely
screaming at you that your intensity is too high
and it wants more oxygen. Slow down and allow
your lungs to catch up. If it's an interval class that
same feeling is telling you you’re appropriately
working at a high intensity for that shorter period
of time. Your ability to sustain intense workouts
will increase over time. Try to maintain a level that
allows you to carry on a conversation during the
workout.
“If it hurts don’t do it”. The saying remains true in
exercise today. Pain is a loud signal from your
body that something is up. Slow down or stop immediately. Check with your instructor or trainer to
make sure you’re doing the movement correctly. If
pain persists you may need to see your personal
physician.
You were told when the nice man gave you the
tour of the gym that regular exercise will give you
more energy, but your body says you’re exhausted
at the end of your exercise routine. This may
mean you’re over-training, not getting sufficient
recovery time between workouts, or you are simply pushing to hard during the workout itself. Slow
down; remember the F.I.T.T. principle, which gives
you the elements for your optimal health. It includes guidelines for exercise intensity, duration,
and frequency.
Pay attention to your body. It can tell you many
things. When you hear it talking…listen and follow
its advice. Don’t allow your ego to cause you to try
and keep up with the person on the step, treadmill, or squat rack next to you. You’re competing
only against your best self. Use your fitness instructor’s modifications or make the life time investment of utilizing certified professional personal
trainer to at least get you going. It won’t be too
long before you are the one others wish they were
keeping up with.
Make it a Healthy Day!
Sports By Chantelle Rouault-Gibson
— PSP Sports Coordinator
Each of the 20 people representing 15
Wing in the Royal Canadian Airforce Run in
Winnipeg on 27 May, 2012 registered with a
different goal in mind; from improving a personal best to competing a longer distance.
15 Wing was represented with runners from
2 CFFTS, 431 Squadron, ATC, Supply and
Health Services. 2 PSP staff also attended,
along with 3 spouses supporting their husbands on the course.
The weather set the pace form some, as
puddle jumping on the course did not set the
scene for world record time, but congratulations on 3rd place finish in the 1/2 marathons
to 2Lt Jean-Paul Degagne (2 CFFTS) with a
time of 1:23:38 with an average pace of 3:58
min/km. Special recognition as well to Cpl
James Doyle (ATC) as 15 Wing’s to finisher
in the 10K placing 6th overall with a time of
44:05 with an average pace of 4:25 min/km.
Follow time of our other runners at http://
airforcerun.ca/results/2012.php.
Next year’s event will run Sunday May 27,
2013 so mark your calendars and set your
training goal! Look for additional details and
online registration at www.airforcerun.ca
closer to the event date.
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
23
Sports Submitted by: Chantelle Rouault-Gibson, PSP Sports
Coordinator
Birdies were flying for foursome at 15 Wing Golf Playdowns
Golf playdowns for 15 Wing were hosted at Hillcrest Golf
Course on July 20 to 21st, after a severe thunderstorm
forced cancellation of the first day of scheduled play.
Players were determined to get on course the second day,
rain or shine, as 15 Wing Sports Coordinator quickly
learned golf is not only a fair weather sport. Happily the
weather cooperated to get tournament play underway
about noon each day for players to complete 18 hole
round of play each day.
15 Wing's first foursome included Capt Andrew Basley
(ATC), MCpl Carey Boozan (431 Sqn), Capt Derek
Shrumm (2CFFTS), and Capt Tim Coffin (2CFFTS); inspiring each other's play with a total of 5 birdies in the round!
Capt Coffin did not share in the under par play on day one
but set himself up as most improved player for the tournament, taking 16 strokes off his play and chalking up a
birdie of his own on the final day of play.
MCpl Boozan finished as course leader with 79 and 80
stroke rounds. Best round of the tournament went to Capt
Andrew Basely with 78 strokes on par 70 course. A
strong showing by Maj Florian Steinke and Capt Derek
Shrumm rounded out the top four of the event, but with
conflicting championships scheduled, these gents opted to
participate in PR Soccer Championships 24-29 July in
Cold Lake.
Congratulations to the seven individuals who have qualified to represent 15 Wing at the Prairie Region Golf
Championships 23-27 July, 2012 in Shilo.
MCpl Carey Boozan (431 Sqn)
Capt Andrew Basley (ATC)
Maj Vic Tyerman (WCOMPT)
Capt Jaron Pilgrim (2CFFTS)
Capt Kevin Quinn (2CFFTS)
Pte Annie Bourassa (431 Squ)
Cpl Caroline Chartrand (ATC)
Players will battle at Prairie Region for the Team Championship title, as well as individual Men and Women Championship titles, based on 3 rounds of play. Top 5 men and
top 2 women from all bases competing at Prairie Region
Championship advance to at CF National Golf Championships 25-30 Aug, 2012 in Shilo. Good luck to all!
.
By Capt Mark Taylor—3CFFTS
Friday June 22nd saw 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training
School (3CFFTS), in Portage la Prairie, officially welcomed in the summer season with a student and staff golf
tournament. The format was four person best-ball and the
event was held at the Portage Golf Club near the Island
Park, on Crescent lake. The event was well attended with
18 teams in total teeing off for nine holes, followed by a
BBQ dinner and a brief reception for prizes and speeches.
Awards were handed out to the lowest scoring team, the
longest driver, the closest to the pin, and to the most honest team - also known as the team that scored the worst!
The weather for the event could not have been better, and
everyone who attended had a great time, and a fantastic
start to both that weekend and what promises to be a
beautiful summer ahead.
A special thanks to Capt Steve Brake, who coordinated
the event, as well as to the management and staff at the
Portage Golf Club for graciously hosting a terrific event!
The low score for the day was turned in by the multi engine instructors, led by Maj Chris Strawson, who called
themselves the “Multi Whackers”. Three under par was
good enough for victory, but just barely as at least a couple of other teams were within a stroke of the winning
team. The long drive challenge was won by Mike Duclos,
and the closest to the pin was Capt Derick Kauth.
24
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
Community By Lt Couture - 15 Wing, Air Reserve Flight
When I enrolled in the Air Reserve
in August 2010 I was expecting new
life experiences but I would not have
ever thought that the Air Reserve
would bring me so many career opportunities. A lot of people think that
being a Reservist is not as exciting or
rewarding as being in the Regular
Forces. Perhaps they don’t know that
the Air Reserve is actually a well integrated entity of the Canadian Forces
and has much to offer in terms of career progression and professional
development.
were all on the agenda.
What is the CIOR YROW?
The Interallied Confederation Of Reserve Officers (CIOR), represents the
interests of over 1.3 million reservists
across 36 participating Nations within
and beyond NATO, making it the
world’s largest military reserve officer
organization. The CIOR meets twice
a year (summer and winter) and they
work through committees that examine issues and provide analysis relating to reserve forces. Typical issues
of interest include the contribution of
reserve forces to international operations, the re-integration of reservists,
the law of armed conflict, the impact
of NATO expansion on the Reserves,
and employers to support Reservists.
portunity for approximately 60 junior
reserve officers. Junior reserve officers from the rank of OCDT up to
Captain (Army/Air Force) or Lieutenant (Navy) will work together for a
week in an intense international setting. They will have the opportunity to
learn and discuss about current defence issues of relevance to NATO
and the reserve forces. It is designed
to provide an individual opportunity to
establish professional relationships
that will last throughout a reservist
officer’s career and to offer a strong
foundation on which to build their
NATO experiences.
During the week of the 27th of July,
Recently I was selected as one of
we will meet with our NATO counterthe candidates who would attend the
parts for an exciting seven days of
Young Reservist Officer Workshop
Workshop. The Workshop is demand(YROW) 2012 being held in Copening but academically stimulating and
hagen, Denmark at the end of July.
The YROW is a professional developconsists of debates, presentation,
Five young reserve officers have
ment program conducted concurstudy cases, guest speakers and
been selected from all three elements
rently with the annual CIOR Summer
much more. It will be an excellent
(Army, Air and Navy) to represent
Congress. This week-long workshop
opportunity for the Canadian DelegaCanada at this summer’s YROW. On
is designed to be a junior reserve
tion to share experiences and ideas
st
the week-end of June 1 , our team
officer’s first exposure to a multiand to gain insight on how allied
met for the first time in Winnipeg to
national environment and to colforces are operating and on issues
receive the YROW pre-training for the
leagues from NATO. It constitutes a
they are facing. The Workshop is also
upcoming workshop. We had the opunique professional development opmeant to help developing and improvportunity to hear
ing written and
numerous guest
oral communispeakers talking
cations skills
about many differby giving briefent topics directly
ings and writrelated to the Reing
essays.
serve. Just to
Usually candiname a few of the
date
for
topics covered
YROW
get
during the two
selected only
days of training;
once throughThe Role of Reout their career
servists in conwhich make it
necting with the
a unique exPublic, Supporting
perience.
I
your Subordinates
consider myin Fostering Posiself lucky and I
tive Employer Ream really looklations, NATO
ing forward to
Structure and Deit. More to folfence Planning,
Maj Shock(PfP Committee Member), Capt April, Slt Trudel, LCol Couch, D res Co- low in the next
CF Reserve
ordinator, Lt Couture, Lt(N) Van Akker.(taking the picture Lt(N)Gehl Liaison Officer Prairie Flyer!
Structure and Isfor Can)
sues etc. These
Édition du printemps 2012
25
Prairie Flyer II
Sports / Community By Dave Lyons, PSP Manager & Regan Gorski, MFRC Director
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
I believe that this statement best illustrates the energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers at the MFRC and PSP programs. I
am constantly amazed at their spirit and dedication. The teamwork and cooperation of the volunteers has enabled the MFRC
and PSP organizations to achieve goals and achievements beyond all expectations. Everyone shares in an ideal, summed up
in our mission statement. This ideal is embraced, and regardless of our differences, we work together confident in each
other’s commitment. In essence, we all believe in each other
and our mission.
The annual 15 Wing volunteer appreciation and sports awards
were just recently held in April at the Temple Gardens Mineral
Spa. With good food and great company, the evening was an
outstanding success. I would again like to personally thank our
volunteers and athletes, indeed all 15 Wing personnel that
make a difference in the quality of life for everyone in this community. Your presence and involvement have enabled us to
offer programs and services well beyond our mandate.
We were very fortunate to recognize all volunteers in attendance with an appreciation gift, as well as the evening itself.
We were honored to rename the Adult Volunteer of the Year
Award to the Karen Beauregard Adult Volunteer of the Year
Award. Sponsored by the 15 Wing Commander, this award in
is memory of former volunteer Karen Beauregard. Karen was
involved in numerous activities and programs at 15 Wing
MFRC/PSP. This award honors an adult volunteer whose community leadership and volunteer work in 15 Wing and Bushell
Park Community Programs. This year we were very happy to
recognize Lynn MacDonald for her outstanding contributions to
the MFRC and PSP. As well, the youth volunteer of the year
award was presented to Alec Prodger for his outstanding contributions. To complete the recognition awards, the volunteer
family award was presented to the Jackson family, whose contributions and efforts are limitless. Indeed a special thanks and
recognition to all the nominees for every category; what an outstanding field!
The sports awards were presented as follows: Male athlete of
the year was presented to Ryan Donovan. The female athlete
of the year was Annie Bourassa. The team of the year was the
15 Wing Prairie Flyers Hockey team. Coach of the year was
presented to Paul McBean and official of the year was presented to Dave Ryan. Lastly, the Fitness Leadership of the
Year Award was given to Jason Pilgrim.
26
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
(Continued from page 26)
So thank you. Thank you to all who make this community a better place to live. On behalf of the Moose
Jaw MFRC and PSP organizations, I wish to thank
you all for your teamwork, effort, dedication and commitment to this community.
PHOTO CREDIT – ANDREA MCWILLIAMS
A special thanks to all our corporate sponsors for
their support. It is only through the partnerships with
the local community that we are able to recognize
those individuals that commit their time to make 15
Wing a better place. A special thanks to SISIP for
their major sponsorship of the Volunteer Recognition
Program, as well, the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa
for their generous contributions and amazing venue
for the evening. This event is only possible through
their generous support. On behalf of all those involved, thanks to all our sponsors!
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The
ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational objectives.
It is the fuel that allows common people
to attain uncommon results.”- Unknown
The Winners (L-R)
Front: Colonel Bigaouette, Alec Prodger, Capt Ryan Donovan, Lynn MacDonald, The Jackson Family (Twyla
&Capt Paul Jackson), 2Lt Paul McBean, Pte Annie Bourassa, Capt Jason Pilgrim, MWO Mary MacDonald.
Back: Cpl Dustin Haider, Capt Kevin Quinn, Capt Bertrum Cronshaw, 2Lt Brendan Pierce, Pte Matt Knowles,
2Lt Mike Soros & Capt Steve Ferris
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
27
Community By Capt Jarrett Cranston, 2 CFFTS
ADJT
Last December, NFTC received its first
batch of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF)
students. I was assigned to act as Ocdt.
Ali Al Ghamdi’s primary instructor. It is no
exaggeration to say we come from different worlds. Ali and I grew up nearly 6,400
miles apart – I in Ottawa and he in Baha,
Saudi Arabia. The last time our two countries worked jointly in a military context
dates back to Desert Storm – I was nine
at the time and Ali was not even a twinkle
in his father’s eye. Furthermore, Ali’s
course (1201) is the first to tackle the
newly implemented training syllabus. Suffice to say, neither of us knew what to
expect from each other walking into that
first briefing for Clearhood 1 (CH1). What
follows is a (somewhat) tongue-in-cheek
recreation of that day.
Before the Brief
Capt. Jarrett Cranston - I’m looking at the
guy’s picture… damn he looks intense.
Maybe Saudi students just don’t know
how to smile. I’ll be sure to keep it light
and humorous for the poor guy.
Ocdt. Ali Al Ghamdi - He jokes and
laughs way too much for an instructor. I’m
betting he’s very strict in the aircraft. I’m a
little scared.
The First Brief
JC - I looked up how to say ‘Hello’ in Arabic. This will put the guy at ease.
“Marhaba.”
new syllabus guys know what they’re
doing. “Ok, we’ll do it your way. Before
we step, just remember we’re a team.
We’re working together so that you can
learn.”
AG - Phew… pressure’s off.
JC - “I will say this, though… you’re going
to make mistakes. Everybody does, and
it’s all part of learning.”
AG - Pressure’s back on. I accept your
challenge. I shall be perfect. “Sounds
good sir. Ready to go.”
In the Air
Ali was incredibly strong, procedurally,
although he encountered a few minor
difficulties with differences between the
simulator and the airplane. The stick
shaker that comes on just before you lose
control of the aircraft was causing him
some grief.
JC - “Ali, don’t get bent out of shape over
the stick shaker. It’s only a warning you
that you’re about to lose control. You
haven’t lost it yet. Believe it or not, you
can fly continuously in shaker.”
AG – Seriously? “Sure sir, I believe you.”
I proceeded to show him a continuous
turn in shaker to demonstrate my point.
We proceeded back to the base to work
in the traffic pattern. Still smarting from
the comment that he will make mistakes,
Ali decided to demonstrate his prowess.
JC - Better give my standard CH1 brief. I
don’t want to overload the guy. “OK Ali,
the aim of today’s mission is to get a feel
for the aircraft and have some fun.”
AG -“Sir, I am through initial. Prepare to
be amazed.”
JC – Well, I feel like an idiot. Guess these
28
JC - “Well, things are going great. I’m
going to sit back and let you land the airplane.”
AG - Is he crazy? “Okay sir, I shall land
the plane.”
A noticeable contact with terra firma 10
seconds later reminded me that you always have to stay on your toes with new
students, no matter how good they’re
doing. After the flight, we went to debrief.
Like many of CH1 survivors before him,
Ali was all smiles. The one hard landing
aside – which I attribute entirely to my
own complacency – I was very pleased
with how the first mission went. During
the debrief, both of us were recreating
maneuvers flown using the tools at hand:
white board and markers, model planes
on sticks and the ever-classic waving of
the hands. The miles that separated us
during our upbringing, the language differences and the cultural miscommunications that were bound to happen all
melted away. Ali and I had found the
common language of “pilot”… a language
that has brought countless military aviators from different nations together in the
pursuit of a common purpose.
AG - I stand corrected. “ As I expected sir,
it can fly in shaker.”
AG - Is he speaking Swedish? “Uhhhh…
hello sir.”
AG - Has this guy not seen the new syllabus? I’ve done all the maneuvers in the
simulator and I’m eager to get going. How
best to tell him not to treat me like an idiot
“Sir, I have a better plan. I would like to
brief you on how to do all the stalls and fly
an overhead break. If my brief is acceptable, I would like to fly these maneuvers
today.”
and I saw significant improvement from
one overhead break to the next. Here is
where I committed the classic instructor
error of allowing good performance on
previous items to create an expectation
for the subsequent item.
He entered the maneuver and promptly
gained excessive altitude like you read
about.
AG - “This overhead break is horrible.
You may stop watching now. The next
one will be perfect.”
Sure enough, Ali nailed the next one. At
this point, I’ve watched a brand-new student handle the majority of the area work
required to go solo on his very first trip
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
Community Jennifer Hill BSW, RSW
is an MFRC social worker
who is located within the
IPSC that connects both
centres to ensure a wide
variety of supports to
families of CF personnel
coping with illness, injury,
or special needs.
Your IPSC
Offers high quality
consistent administrative
support to ill, injured CF personnel and their families. The
IPSC provides support during all phases of recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration to those entering the civilian
workforce.
IPSC provides dedicated services and bereavement
support for the families of the fallen.
FLO Services
Confidential short term one on one, family and/or
group counselling for a family of ill, injured and deceased
CF personnel.
Assessment and Referral to mental health services to
adults and children
Access to educational and preventative based programs in the community
Outreach and support to families in the surrounding
area
Utilize and connect with your support networks,
friends, colleagues, peers etc
Walk hand in hand and help link them to resources
Encourage them to talk when they are ready and be
patient in doing so
Seek out supports through your local MFRC programs
and services
Learn as much as you can about the symptoms or diagnosis your loved one may be experiencing through your resources
10 tips to build and foster resiliency and “bounce
back” after stress
Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable,
relevant and time bound)
Share your story- each time you share you gain
strength
Practice self care
Nurture your mind, body and spirit
Write in a journal
Make time for friends and family
Be self aware and know yourself and your personal
limits
Set boundaries - permit yourself to say “NO”
Practice positive self talk- pat yourself on the back
Practice deep breathing
Casualty Support Childcare
Families of CF personnel who are ill, injured or who have
died while serving in any capacity have access to Casualty Support Childcare. This service is designed to:
Facilitate spousal attendance/participation at medical,
mental health, or social support service appointments to
aid in recuperation of CF personnel
Provide respite for families
Enable families to participate in repatriation process
Support families throughout the funeral and bereavement process
How to emotionally support a loved one with an Operational Stress Injury
Be supportive
Be empathic
Be understanding and patient
Remind them its ok and safe to cry
Act as their advocate
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
29
Community By 2Lt Elez—15 Wing OR
This past June, members of 15 Wing may have noticed
many new faces wandering around the base in civilian
dress. June is the busiest month of the year for base tours
and with up to three tours a week, it took a collaborative
effort from a number of different units to make it through
the month. In the past three weeks alone, we have shown
over 275 visitors the RCAF’s number one training base
with more visits scheduled for the months following. The
majority of our tours are given to elementary and high
school students who drive in from Saskatchewan towns
and cities up to four hours away.
The unparalleled dedication, professionalism and skill of
the RCAF team will always be a prime interest of today’s
youth. The tours are completely free for our visitors which
make them more appealing to schools on a budget than
the Moose Jaw Tunnels or the Western Development Museum. I would like to thank all of the units who contribute
to the ongoing success of these almost daily visits. If you
are a CF member at 15 Wing and are interested in being a
tour guide for one of the upcoming tours, please send an
email to [email protected] or call 2404 to inquire
about future tour dates.
The standard tour runs for three hours and usually goes
something like this: We start by meeting our guests in the
Atrium of Building 160. After a quick welcome brief, we
divide our guests into groups no larger than 20 and begin
the tour. The first stop is usually the Aviators Life Support
Equipment (ALSE) shop in 4 Hangar where Mario Deshaies puts on an animated and entertaining demonstration of the Harvard ejection seat trainer.
“To me, it’s always fun to see a school tour come through
my shop. Once they see the training we do they can appreciate that there’s more to flying than sitting in a plane
pushing buttons. If the unexpected happens and you need
to eject, the time factor to make a decision is absolutely
critical. When you put a kid in the trainer and tell them
what could go wrong and how long they have to make a
decision all of a sudden they realize that aviation is a serious business,” said Mr. Deshaies.
Next we show the guests the Harvard and Hawk hangar
queens. Stairs alongside the cockpits allow the visitors a
glimpse of the instruments and controls of our training aircraft. The tour continues to the flight training devices
(FTDs) where the guests will usually watch a simulated
flight in progress. From there we go to 431 Sqn and hand
over the tour to 2Lt Olivier Gallant who immerses the
group in the history of the Snowbirds. “In the CF, we take
the things we see and do on a daily basis for granted and
watching the amazement and enthusiasm these kids have
for what we are doing really puts into perspective how
lucky we are. I swear I get more out of these tours then
the visitors do,” said 2Lt Gallant.
After each visitor has had a chance to sit in a Tutor we
depart 6 Hangar and head to the Instrument Flight Rules
Control Center (IFRCC) for a peak at the secret lives of
IFR air traffic controllers (ATCs). Our last stop on the tour
is the one with the best view; the tower. There the group
learns about what it is to be a Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
controller and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of 15
Wing from 6 stories up.
30
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
Community By Karen Herridge, MFRC Volunteer
On Thursday, May 24th the MFRC hosted our annual
“Kick off to Summer” Community BBQ/AGM. Over 100
community members attended and were treated to delicious burgers and salads. Christina Finn, our Board
Chair, kept things on track and running smoothly.
Thank you to our Board of Directors for your guidance
and hard work this past year and to all of our volunteers
for making our MFRC so wonderful! Enjoy the warmer
weather and don’t forget to pop by the MFRC and say
hi during the summer months.
From Top-
−
−
−
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
LCol Brian Murray
Christina Finn
Melissa and Jacob Tate
MFRC Board Members from LR: Tammy Barclay, Maj
Joanne Ubell, Nicole Appleby
Melissa Tate, Christina Finn,
Dani Basley, Lisa Brake,
Sheryl Parker
31
Community By Holly McCorriston—Youth and Teen Programmer
This year the Teens have outdone themselves in their fantastic fundraising efforts. I would like to extend a huge
thanks to everyone who helped support them in their endeavours. We had record high participation at our Youth
Advisory Council, where the teens volunteer their time to
help in the planning stages of their programs. They held
their annual bottle drive on May 23rd where they more
than doubled what they raised last year, coming in at
$250.00!!
ownership in their event, and I look forward to the next
one!
As we head into the summer programs I want to encourage any new teens to come out and meet some new
friends, and help make our teen program a continuing success!
With their momentum running full steam ahead, they had
an unbelievable success at their Wake-A-Thon for Charity.
With 19 participants earning a grand total of $1652.78,
which as a group we chose to donate to the polar bears of
the World Wildlife Fund and the Canadian Red Cross. The
night was an amazingly fun time that flew by so quickly.
Not one of the teens fell asleep or even complained, and
they were in bright spirits throughout. They were definitely
an inspiration in how they took such responsibility and
32
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
By Karen Herridge, Volunteer Services & Community Integration Coordinator
On Sunday, April 1st, the MFRC & PSP held its “Family Easter Party”. Over
120 children and their parents came out to the Gym in Building 80 to enjoy
an afternoon of games, crafts, treats and a visit from the Easter Bunny!
We would like to extend a big “Thank you” to all the youth, teen and adult
volunteers who helped us out that day. Big thanks also go out to the volunteers who make up the
MFRC Special Events
Committee. They helped
plan, prepare and deliver
this fun event. What a
creative and enthusiastic
bunch!! This party would
not have been the success
it was without you!
child
wearing some
adorable bunnies
on their shoes
— Volunteer helping a child decide
what colors to use
—A
happy family
enjoying some
Easter treats
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MFRC MOOSE JAW
From top— A
www.pspmoosejaw.ca
PSP events / programs
@15wing
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
33
Community By Capt Marc Velasco, 15 Wing Public Affairs Officer
Pound and designated by the park staff as #15 Shady Lane
in honour of the men and women of 15 Wing Moose Jaw
that will use the site.
Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, Sask. – On Friday, June
8 the Military Family Camping Program was officially inaugurated by sunny, blue skies over Buffalo Pound Provincial “It was because of informal discussions that started last
summer between both (the PSP) staff and Regan (Gorski –
Park.
MFRC Executive Director) and I about the possibility of a
Through this program, military families will have the oppor- program like this. With the support of our non-public, Wing
Fund who generously donated all the money to buy this
tunity to rent a beautiful, brand new, thirty-four foot camptrailer and the generosity of the park staff and ministry, we
ing trailer along with camping privileges at Buffalo Pound
were actually able to make this program possible,” said
Provincial Park. Priority for the Military Family Camping
Program will be given to military members preparing to de- PSP Manager, Dave Lyons about how the program started.
ploy or returning from deployment but is available to all
Lieutenant Colonel Brian Murray, 15 Wing - Chief of Staff
members of 15 Wing Moose Jaw. The program was crewas joined by Saskatchewan Members of Legislative Asated by the 15 Wing Military Family Resource Centre
sembly, Mr. Warren Michelson and Mr. Greg Lawrence to
(MFRC) and Personnel Support Programs (PSP) in coopofficiate over the inauguration ceremony along with memeration with the Province of Saskatchewan who provided
bers of the MFRC, PSP and Saskatchewan Provincial
the camping site free of charge.
Parks.
The camper itself is a thirty-four foot Tracer Ultra-Light
Camper that sleeps up to ten people. It contains a full en“We come from all parts of Canada and while we stay in
tertainment package including a TV, DVD and stereo as
well as luxurious cooking amenities such as a double sink, places like Saskatchewan and Moose Jaw, we travel all
stove, oven, microwave, fridge, and external double burner, over the world on operations and unfortunately those operations put a lot of stress on our families. It means long
barbeque, sink and mini fridge. For those not accustomed
to roughing it, the camper also has a furnace, air condition- periods apart where one of the family members is perhaps
ing and even hot water. The camp site is located at Buffalo in a fairly risky part of the world and that really does affect
Members of Saskatchewan Parks, 15 Wing’s Military Family
Resource Centre, Personnel Support Programs and military
members of 15 Wing gathered on June 8 at Buffalo Pound
Provincial Park to inaugurate the Military Family Camping
Program that will run all Summer long.
34
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
(From L to R) MLA for Moose Jaw North, Warren Michelson, members of 15 Wing’s Personnel
Support Programs and Military Family Resource Centre (blue shirts), MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow, Greg Lawrence, Cindy MacDonald – Executive Director of Operations for Parks, Culture and
Sport for the Province of Saskatchewan, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Murray, 15 Wing – Chief of
Staff and members of the Buffalo Pound – Saskatchewan Parks department celebrated the commencement of the Military Family Camping Program at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park on June 8.
(Continued from page 34)
our families, so it’s so great when we see programs like
this that are focussed on the family that also take advantage of the local area when we are at home, and allow
families to reconnect when they’re here,” said Lieutenant
Colonel Murray.
Cooperation from Parks Saskatchewan and Buffalo Pound
Provincial Park was instrumental in allowing this program
to succeed. “Over the years we’ve done a number of surveys with our park users and campers, in particular, and
one of the strongest motivators that people have for coming to parks is reconnecting with family and friends, and
that’s what this program is for, to make sure that our military personnel who make the ultimate sacrifice, who are
away from their families for long-long periods of time, have
the opportunity to come back and get out to a place like
this and just really enjoy their time with their families,” said
Cindy MacDonald, Executive Director of Operations for
Parks, Culture and Sport for the Province of Saskatchewan.
The Military Family Camping Program will be available to
the families of 15 Wing Moose Jaw all summer long.
Space is limited and so it is important to book as early as
possible as reservations are filling up fast. For more information about the Military Family Camping Program or to
make a reservation, please contact the Personnel Support
Programs office at 306-694-2222 extension 5515.
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
35
By Capt Sean Hill, Capt Ryan Kerr, Capt Dallas Bregg
& Capt Davis Clark
Engine Start and Chocks Away
On D-Day plus sixty-eight years, Mustang 84, a
crew of six in a King Air C-90B, flew to Wynyard, Saskatchewan to meet an accomplished and courageous
World War Two veteran Canadian Spitfire pilot, Flight Lieutenant Barry Needham. Barry Needham received his RCAF
wings seventy-one years ago in June and was deployed to
England for two operational tours on the Spitfire Mk II and
one instructional tour during World War Two. He flew hundreds of hours on 'Spits' including multiple missions over
the beaches of Normandy during D-Day. He was shot down
on D-Day plus one and spent two months as a POW, until
American Forces liberated his prisoner camp in northern
France. Major Chris Strawson and Captain Mike Houle flew
the graduating Multi-Engine Course 1202, consisting of
Captain Sean Hill, Captain Ryan Kerr, Captain Dallas
Bregg and Captain Davis Clark, to an airfield in central Saskatchewan named in his honour, W.B. Needham airfield, to
exchange some banter on getting wings in the RCAF at
such different times in Air Force history.
The number of hours and types of missions flown
for the respective courses look so similar, even including
notes like “not strong in precautionary and forced landings,”
to be read by future instructors. Barry told us about seeing
students fail crucial tests and being sent to other areas of
the military, other trades. Anyone in the RCAF training system today has undoubtedly watched friends falter; a truly
sad experience. Students always tread a fine line on the
edge of failure until the day they get their wings. Just as in
Barry’s day, the training system fosters very close friendships between fellow student pilots because of its hardships as students lean on each other for help and support
throughout. This is why it was no surprise to the four of us
when Barry Needham was asked about getting his wings.
His concern didn’t lie in being shot down or a high chance
of death, he was instead relieved to have earned his wings.
...it was a great sense of relief because you never knew if you were
going to wash
out.
Training
“Relief” is the first thing Barry Needham said when
we asked him what it was like to finish pilot training. The
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) was a
mechanism known to have produced prodigious numbers
of pilots for the Allies during World War II, and for doing it
quickly. Despite the reality, it was astounding to hear the
similarities between his training and ours. Separated by 70
years and with no world war to deliver pilots into, we could
readily relate to his experiences.
After Barry joined, the BCATP, stalled as recruits
came in faster than airfields could be constructed, a scenario very familiar to today’s RCAF pilots as training delays
creep into the system’s schedule. While waiting for flight
training, the recruits were sent to an Initial Training School
for a few short months to learn Morse code (admittedly
quickly forgotten and never used), Air Force history, and
meteorology. Exactly like pilots in training today, he found
himself sent to a non-flying position to carry out a temporary job; in his case, to British Columbia to hold a World
War I rifle and “guard the coast against the Japanese,” he
said with a chuckle. After finally getting the call to begin
Elementary Flying Training, he learned to fly the Tiger
Moth, followed by time on the Harvard before eventually
being sent operational on the Spitfire overseas. Getting the
opportunity to peruse his log book and speak with him
about the training really made clear that being a pilot in the
training system has really not changed all that much.
36
Significance of RCAF Wings
The sense of relief that Barry spoke of along with
incredible feelings of excitement and pride are just a few of
the words that we would use to describe the days leading
up to getting our RCAF Wings. For us, the last few years of
pilot training have been very challenging and exciting but
the goal of achieving wings standard was always at the
forefront of our thoughts. It truly marks the end; the culmination of years of training, hard work, and sacrifice. As a
new winged graduate, we are very proud of our accomplishments and couldn't be more excited to enter the operational flying world. We can attest that Pilot training in the CF
is among the longest, most demanding and most unwavering in terms of the standards expected and it is this way
simply because it has to be in order to effectively support
CF missions. When we asked Barry of the challenges he
faced during his flight training, he stated “it needs to be this
challenging and we can’t all be pilots unfortunately”. As we
enjoyed a celebratory beverage with Barry, it was clear that
he felt very similar the day he got his wings. As he explained it, “it was a great sense of relief because you never
knew if you were going to wash out”. In terms of his excitement he stated he thought he would “join the Navy and see
the world, except without the Navy part of course”. He understood that shortly after his wings graduation that he
would be sent off to war where pilots were frequently shot
down and taken prisoner, both of which happened to Barry
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
as a member of 412 Sqn in WWII. While this is not necessarily the exact expectation we share presently, we realize
the possibility will always exist. Our afternoon with Barry
unveiled the profound similarity between our CF pilot training in 2012 and his training in 1941 and showed that not
much has changed in 70 years. In the end, we all “made it
through” and are ecstatic to have our wings!
Camaraderie
Due to the intensity of the pilot training system, pilots are forced to form a bond that instils cooperation and
team cohesion. This camaraderie comes in many forms,
but the one that is most remarkable is the unconditional willingness of pilots to help their fellow peers. Throughout pilot
training each candidate passes on to his fellow students,
information that they have learned (usually through their
own mistakes) and deemed to be essential. This informal
line of communication ensures that all are aware of the
many pitfalls that can be encountered while chasing the
dream of attaining wings. These tips and advice allow for a
collective intelligence that promotes cohesion within the
course, school and the trade in general.
So for the four of us, it was no surprise that without
more than a handshake, Barry welcomed us into his hometown and local legion. Over lunch and coffee he gave us a
candid look into the highs and lows of being a pilot during
the greatest air battle in the history of aviation. Each story
he told over the afternoon allowed us to take away lessons
that can be used in both future training and operations.
The fraternal bond between aviators is always one of ease
and humour. Many of the stories told by Barry were serious
in nature, but done in a nonchalant manor similar to conversations that he had with old friends at their local pub. While
he might have spent four years in Europe completing two
tours of duty, flew four sorties during the D Day invasion,
and been taken as a POW he spoke to us as if we were old
pals. Barry passed on some lessons learned through his
first-hand accounts and they demonstrated the strong and
unwavering bond that was instilled in him during pilot training and the traits that he would like to see in the next generation of pilots.
Post Wings Expectations
day after he arrived on squadron Barry was conducting missions in his new Spitfire. He was expected to hold readiness, being airborne in less than two minutes, conduct formation attack missions, scramble missions, bomber escort,
low level recce and fighter sweeps into Nazi occupied
Europe. The expectations for a young man, new to the
squadron, fresh out of training with minimal hours were insurmountable and required bravery, courage and experience. As Barry discovered, these expectations were necessities as it meant life or death for him or his fellow wingmen.
Presently, our post wings expectations parallel Barry's in
terms of new challenges we will face domestically and in
theatres of operation. We will be expected to perform low
level maritime patrol missions, conduct search and rescue,
VIP transport, air to air refuelling, counter narcotics patrols,
strategic airlift and surveillance missions, in adverse
weather, with minimal crew rest, limited resources, incomplete information on a moments notice.
...it needs to be challenging and we
can t all be pilots unfortunately.
Epilogue: Post Engine Shutdown
The crew of Mustang 84 would like to thank Barry
Needham and his friends and family for hosting a historical
and entertaining adventure. Receiving our first operational
postings from such a legend and man of character was a
unique opportunity. Captain Sean Hill is posted to 437
Transport Squadron in Trenton, Ont. flying the CC-150 Polaris, Captain Ryan Kerr is posted to 412 Transport Squadron in Ottawa, Ont. flying the CC-144 Challenger, which is
also the same squadron both Maj Chris Strawson flew and
previously Barry Needham as a fighter pilot during the war.
Captain Dallas Bregg is posted to 407 Long Range Maritime
Patrol Squadron in Comox BC. flying the CP-140 Aurora
and Captain Davis Clark is posted to 405 Long Range Maritime Patrol Squadron in Greenwood, NS. also flying the CP140 Aurora.
Relief! Success! Beers! These are the sentiments
Barry Needham and our course and shared upon completion of the intense and challenging road to the RCAF wings.
Barry received his wings in June of 1941, 71 years to the
month prior to our wings parade. However, post wings expectation somewhat differ for our generations. The week
Barry was winged he was on a transport ship destined for
his first operational Canadian Squadron of spitfire Mark II in
Middlesex, England to support the war effort in Europe. The
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
Top Photo: L-R: 2Lt Sean Hill. 2Lt Dallas Bregg, Barry
Needham, Capt Ryan Kerr, 2Lt Davis Clark
Photo Credit: Capt Mike Houle
37
Community Farewell to Sgt Nathalie Godden, Air Reserve Chief Clerk
(01 Apr 08 - 1 Apr 12) (4yrs).
Nathalie & Doug, Brianna & Brook are moving on to 8
Wing Trenton. All the best from all your comrades at 15
Wing.
Capt Rheaume bidding fairwell to Sgt Godden
(Nathalie) with a gift from all 15 Wing Air Reservists
Fairwell to WO Herb Alkerton - Wing Readiness Training
WO (19 May 09 - 15 Jul 12) (3 yrs)
Herb & Brenda, Harley & Hanna are retiring from the military after a combined 40 years of dedicated service. They
are eagerly looking forward to civy life in Lethbridge,
Alberta. All the best from all your comrades at 15 Wing.
These amazing people will be dearly missed by all 15
Wing Air Reservists as well as all civilians and CF members who they have had the pleasure to come in contact
with.
They were both heavily involved in several community
events, clubs, and charity fund raisers (adopt & family,
hockey teams), that had a huge impact on several people
within the City of Moose Jaw community.
Whether devoting time to the charitable campaign or the
Habitat for Humanity, several residents of the City of
Moose Jaw benefitted from their voluntary efforts.
Top Photo: WO Herb Alkerton, Wing
Readiness Training WO
Bottom Photo: Sgt Brenda Alkerton at
the 2011 Jr Ranks Christmas Dinner
38
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
Operate an unregistered vehicle—$580/Court Appearance
By Cpl Shane Seguin — 14 MP Flt
With the warm weather upon us and
vacations in the works, people will no
doubt be hitting the roads in hopes of
enjoying their next summer getaway.
Drivers often forget, and fall into a
false sense of safety while travelling
on these warm summer days. It is
important to know that although summer roads are considered safer to
travel than winter roads in relation to weather conditions,
summer driving places many new hazards on your streets
and highways. Cyclists, hikers, motorcycles, increased
traffic, wildlife, and even the sad reality of an increased
presence of intoxicate drivers are all additional challenges
you will face on the roads this season. Of course, with an
increase in motorists, comes and increase in the police
presence. Some common penalties that Police will be
looking for can be found below.
Exceed lawful posted speed limit—$120 +
(possible criminal code charges at greater speeds)
Drive without due care and attention—$280
Drive while impaired/over .08—90 day roadside
suspension and criminal code charges
Drive while .04 to .08—24 hour roadside suspension
Most charges relating to traffic offenses include demerit
points effecting your insurance rates as well as mandatory
driver education programs as ordered by the courts of
SGI. Drivers may also incur additional fines by the police,
courts, or SGI that go above and beyond the initial charge.
Wherever your travels may take you this season be a
safe, sober, and smart driver.
Using electronic communication equipment while
driving—$280
LS Matthew White conducting stationary radar on 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
Édition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
39
Health & Wellness By Joy Mclaughlin—Health Promotions Coordinator
During the month of May, the Health Promotion Department ran a Healthy Lifestyles challenge called the “4 pillar
challenge”. The challenge was created to provide awareness of local PSP and MFRC programs and services while
supporting the national Strengthening the Forces (StF)
campaign. The “4 Pillar Challenge” promoted awareness
and 'healthy' lifestyle choices one choice at a time.
The objectives of both Challenges are to educate
and engage participants in adopting a healthier lifestyle by
making healthy choices on a daily basis. The Challenge
asked participants to complete various healthy activities in
order to obtain points. The activities fell under one of
Health Promotions four health Pillars of Addictions Awareness and Prevention, Nutritional Wellness, Injury Prevention and Active Living and Social Wellness. Participants
were asked to keep track of their ‘healthy’ lifestyle choices
in a logbook and received points based on the type of activity completed. Individuals who accumulate at least 125
points and attend at least one health promotion run event
were eligible to participate in a draw for 3 prize packages.
The individual who accumulated the most points overall
received the grand prize.
The 4 pillar challenge was open to Regular Force, Reserve Force, DND civilian, NPF, MFRC, and CF immediate family members. The Challenge encouraged CF personnel and their families in taking concrete steps toward
improving their overall health and well-being through activities supported by Strengthening the Forces (StF), the
MFRC and PSP fitness, sports and community recreation
departments.
Over 60 people signed up and participated in the
challenge! Our top point earner was Ms. Iona Gadd who
obtained 755 points during the month! Everyone who
qualified was entered into a draw for two additional prizes
and the following people were chosen for a prize pack:
Mrs. Marie Lanoue of PSP and CWO Deborah Matthews.
The Health Promotion department would like to
extend out gratitude to all of our Health Promotions reps
that ensured every section of the wing participated and
helped to make this challenge a huge success!
Top Photo:
Grand Prize Winner Iona Gadd and Joy Mclaughlin
Bottom Photo:
Dave Lyons, Marie Lanoue, CWO Debra Matthews and LCol
40
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
Health & Wellness By Lynn Nelson, Pharmacist 15 Wing Medical Sqn
Pharmacy
Summer is the time for lots of great outdoor activities. But
along with the fun comes the risk of the less-than-pleasant
aspect of summer such as insect bites, swimmer’s ear,
sunburns, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, heat-related
illnesses, skin rashes, and allergies. Most summer aliments can be minimized through the exercise of a few
commonsense preventive measures.
Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear (Otitis externa) is an
inflammation, irritation or infection of
the outer ear and ear canal. It is
more common in the summer simply
because more people get water in
their ears while swimming. Symptoms include: itching of the ear or ear
canal, ear pain, drainage from the
ear and hearing loss. Contact a physician if you notice drainage from the
ears, if symptoms worsen despite treatment, or if you develop fever, pain or redness of the skull behind the ear.
Earplugs can either prevent or aggravate swimmer’s ear.
To be effective, earplugs must be
Soft and moldable (silicone, wax cotton, viscous wax)
Fit well
Insect repellents can help mask human scent. DEET (also
known as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or diethyltoluamide)
continues to be the gold standard for insect repellents.
DEET was developed by the United States Army, during
World War II and entered civilian use in 1957. Recent evidence shows that DEET serves as a true repellent in that
mosquitoes intensely dislike the smell of the chemical.
DEET products should not be used under clothing or on
damaged skin, and should be washed off using soap and
water after they are no longer needed or between applications. Deet is readily absorbed through the skin, so product concentration should be selected according to the time
you plan to spend outdoors: Deet 30% for adults and children over 12 years of age only, Deet 10% for children 212 years (maximum 3 applications daily) and for children 6
months to 2 years (maximum 1 application daily). Do not
use on infants under 6 months.
Essential oils (Cedar wood oil, citrus oil, citronella oil,
clove oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, nutmeg oil, peppermint oil, pine oil, soybean oil and oil of wintergreen) are believed to work by masking body odour.
Unfortunately, scientific data on safety and effectiveness
is lacking.
Icaridin (Picaridin), an ingredient commonly used in
Europe, Australia, Latin America, and Asia, is available in
the U.S. and is now available in Canada. It is considered
to be similar in effectiveness to Deet. (All-Family Insect
Repellent Spray, Avon Skin-So-Soft SSS Bug Guard Plus
Icaridin Insect Repellent Spray, and OFF! Active Insect
Repellent Clean Feel).
Disposable or easy to clean
Disposable or easy to clean
Waterproof
Removed often for extended periods of time
to provide the ear canal oxygen and the ability
to dry naturally.
Mosquitoes
If you get to know the likes, dislikes, habits and habitat of
the insect population in your area, you can adopt strategies to minimize contact. Insects are attracted to floral
colors and smells, shiny surfaces, motion, carbon dioxide
and lactic acid. Wear white or light-coloured clothing and
use scent-free personal care and laundry products. Resist
the temptation to flail in an attempt to drive them away.
Mosquitoes tend to avoid overhead shadows created by
hat brims or flaps at the back of hats. Mosquitoes and
black flies prefer to eat at dawn and dusk.
42
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite
of an infected mosquito. Since the debut of West Nile virus
in 2001, the increase in case numbers was most pronounced in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Permethrin is a pesticide, not a repellent and can only be
used on clothing, not on skin. It maintains potency for at
least two weeks, even with
frequent laundering.
Wood Ticks
Just about everyone hates
the wood tick. One of the
most frequently encountered
ticks is the American dog tick,
also known as the wood tick.
Wood ticks are most active in April, May and June, however, in recent years, there have been new concerns
about other species of ticks; ones that persist into the late
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
Health & Wellness (Continued from page 42)
fall months. Temperature could be a critical factor
and climate warming is expected to result in expansion of
the geographic range of ticks. You must be observant
from the time the snow melts in the spring until the ground
is covered with snow in the fall.
We now know that black-legged ticks (deer tick) can be
found nearly anywhere, meaning that we now have to be
aware of the possibility getting Lyme disease. About 10%
of all of the black-legged ticks are carrying the bacteria
that cause Lyme disease, so the chance of getting Lyme
disease is not high, but it is possible. Even if you are bitten
by an infected black-legged tick, removal within 24 hours
reduces the chance of getting Lyme disease.
Ticks inhabit wooded bushy areas with lots of grass and
fallen leaves or areas with tall grass and weeds. Ticks wait
for host animals from the tips of grasses and shrubs (not
from trees). When brushed by a moving animal or person,
they quickly let go of the vegetation and climb onto the
host. Ticks can only crawl; they cannot fly or jump. Because ticks are sensitive to dry conditions and do not
thrive in short vegetation, they are seldom a problem in
well-maintained lawns. Keep your grass mowed and keep
weeds cut.
The best way to protect yourself, your family and friends,
and your pets against tick-borne illness is to avoid tick
bites. Prevention consists of avoiding tick-infested areas,
wearing protective clothing, and using personal insect repellents containing DEET on clothing. Antimicrobial treatment following a tick bite is usually not required, but when
ticks have been attached for more than 36 hours, or if you
see any unusual or extreme reaction to the bite, seek
medical assessment. Occasionally people develop a secondary infection from a wood tick bite that requires medical attention.
diation (IRA) will soon be the focus of sun protection. New
studies suggest infrared radiation penetrates the skin
more deeply than both UVA or UVB rays. Traditional sunscreens do not protect against infrared radiation, but many
products proven to prevent damage caused by IRA are in
development.
Despite repeated warnings from health professionals, sunburns are still too common. Consult with a physician if the
pain and/or blistering are severe or you experience nausea, vomiting, confusion or fainting.
Allergies: Nothing to sneeze at
According to Johnson & Johnson Canada and Decima
Harris, 10 million Canadians suffer from seasonal allergies. The symptoms usually lessen with age, although
some people develop and have worsening allergies in
their 50s and older. Allergy rates are projected to continue
to increase in all urban cities worldwide over the next five
to 10 years, maybe due to "horticultural sexism" in urban
areas: the practice of planting "tidier" male plants that
don't shed seeds and fruit like their female counterparts.
The male plants still disperse pollen, but there are fewer
female plants to catch the dust-like particles. To make
your yard and the environment less allergenic, make
smarter choices on which shrubs and trees to plant.
Check out OPALS™, the Ogren Plant Allergen Scale, in
which more than 5,000 plants are ranked from 1 to 10 according to how likely they are to trigger allergic symptoms.
Over-the-counter antihistamines, eye drops and nasal
sprays have gotten better, but be careful to lessen your
exposure to pollen. Most flowers and perennials are fine,
but your nose may start to tingle from Buttercups, Marigolds, or Poinsettia. Break out the tissues for Goldenrod,
Fountain grass, Poplars and Willows. www.allergyfreegardening.com, offers a wealth of information on sneezefree gardening.
Sun Protection
According to Health Canada, the
occurrence of skin cancer has
been steadily rising for the last 30
years, mainly due to overexposure to UV rays. The good news
is most cases are preventable if
you take precautions. Cover up
with an SPF of at least 30—and
don't forget your lips.
The bad news is the spectrum of
sun damage is wider than previously thought. Infrared raÉdition du printemps 2012
Prairie Flyer II
43
Health & Wellness This winter the 15 Wing Health Promotion department teamed up with the Military Family Resource
Centre to develop a one day workshop called “Self
Care Retreat”. The one day workshop was facilitated
by the HP Director and focused on providing information on the stress process, how to recognize the
warning signs of stress, strategies for the reduction
of stress and the mitigation of suicide by early detection and intervention utilizing the Mental Health Continuum model. One of the stress management reduction strategies shown to the participants was the
mindfulness/situational awareness exercise of eating
raisins (shown below). Wing Chief Warrant Officer,
Deborah Matthews discussed the role leadership
was taking to reduce stigma towards individuals with
mental injuries locally. During a 30 minute presentation “The Power Within … how to create a happy life
and a happy place” guest speaker Marie Émond
talked about the benefits of de-cluttering living and
work spaces and how this can reduce stress. The
event ended with the PSP Fitness Coordinator,
Carly Stevenson facilitating a 30 minute yoga session. Emphasis was placed on having CF spouses
involved in this program. To increase participants
from this demographic, free childcare and lunch was
provided for everyone in attendance. This event was
well received by all that participated and will be developed into quarterly series that will focus on various topics from the 4 core areas of health promotion. Special thanks to Kelly Aucoin, Prevention/
Support & Intervention Coordinator and all the staff
of the Military Family Resource Centre for presenting the idea for this workshop.
Participants participating
in Mindfulness exercise
Self Care-Retreat
44
Participants practicing
Yoga
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
November 12, 2003 - Year after year, hundreds of people
are killed and thousands are injured as a result of one of
humankind’s most essential and pleasurable activities:
cooking. The pursuit of a home-cooked meal remains the
leading cause of home fires and fire injuries.
As the holidays bring a heightened emphasis on cooking,
the Canadian Forces Fire Marshal wants to get the word
out that people can enjoy a safe holiday - if they stay at the
stove while they’re preparing hot food. In six out of seven
incidents the study of home cooking fires, ignition occurred
while the cook was out of the kitchen.
In 2000, the latest year for which statistics are available,
there were 5,527 home structure fires attributed to cooking
equipment. These fires resulted in 32 civilian deaths, 495
civilian injuries, and $69.1 million in direct property damage. Three out of four home cooking fires involved the
range and two-thirds of the time, according to one study,
the fired start with the within the first 15 minutes of cooking.
“Cooking fires remain one of the toughest problems we
face,” said John R. Hall Jr., Ph.D., of NFPA’s Fire Analysis
and Research Division. “We have made less headway in
preventing cooking fires than in preventing other kinds of
home fires.”
A study of 45 unattended-cooking fires in New Zealand,
done by the New Zealand Fire Service in 1998, showed
that distraction and forgetfulness were the key reasons why
devices intended to warm up food ended up starting a fire.
About half the time, the study found, the cook was in another room, typically because he or she forgot that something was cooking or was distracted by children, phone
calls, visitors, television or her interruptions. In eight fires,
the cook was outside the house. In 14 fires, the cook was
off the property, (in eight cases having forgotten that something was cooking).
People often try to put out cooking fires on their own, and
more than half of the non-fatal cooking fire injuries occurred
while fighting the fire. (That contrasts with total home fires,
in which firefighting is involved in only one-third of non-fatal
injuries.) With cooking fires, the safest response is not
what may first come to mind. Using a fire extinguisher or
applying water risks splattering and spreading the fire. A
safer choice is to smother the fire by covering a pan with a
lid of closing the oven door.
The office of the Canadian Forces Fire Marshal advises
these steps during cooking:
Don’t leave cooking food unattended
Roll up sleeves and don't wear loose clothing
Ban children and pets from a three-foot “Safe Zone”
around the stove
Keep pot handles turned in to avoid spills
Keep pot holder, dish towels, food packaging and other
clutter off the stove top
Clean cooking equipment; built up grease can catch
fire
By 2Lt Desjardins (3CFFTS)
One by one, the grade 6 French immersion students from Arthur Meighen School filed into the Ellwood
Theatre at the 3 Canadian Forces Flight Training School
(3CFFTS) in Southport on Monday 18 Jun. All seemed
excited and sat happily in the front row, something you
don’t often see us real student pilots do on a Monday
morning. Five French military student pilots dressed in
their olive green flight suits greeted them.
Four groups of students, each led by their very
own military tour guide, scoured the training facility while
their leaders explained the various components of military
pilot training. While one group, “team alpha”, got to explore the study rooms, the pilot lounges and the hangars
with all the planes and helicopters, “team bravo” actually
got to fly the King Air full motion flight simulator.
The 3CFFTS student pilot explained to the students how pilots learn and practice their skills in the simulator before attempting them in the real aircraft. “Battery
ON” said the co-pilot, and then flashing lights, buzzing
sounds, and illuminated buttons flooded the cockpit. This
was immediately followed by an intense “whoa!” from the
apprentice pilots-for-a-day. The virtual aircraft was positioned on the runway and readied for take-off. “Set take-off
power” said little Tyler, and the aircraft started rolling down
the runway and accidently into the grass field. Despite
drifting left of centreline, he still managed to pull the aircraft off of the ground and successfully took off. After a
46
little bit of practice, some of the young students were even
able to land the plane without crashing it; this is by no
means an easy task.
Meanwhile, “team Charlie” received a presentation
on what one of our daily lives are like: every detail from
breakfast at the Mess to fitness training in the gym, to
studying the books, practising in the simulators, and of
course, actually flying the airplanes and helicopters.
The fourth group, “team delta”, tackled the Bell
412 helicopter full motion simulator. They too were able to
experience the impressive buttons, dials, beeps and full
visual effects found in a helicopter, albeit virtual. The engines fired-up, the blades started turning and soon the bird
took flight. It brought a big smile to my face to hear a big
“this is awesome!” as it briefly allowed me to relive the
excitement of sitting at the controls of a complex flying
machine for the first time.
As the afternoon went by, the different groups cycled through all of the different stations until everyone had
had a chance to see everything.
Finally, all students accounted, they hoped on the
bus and departed Southport. It was truly a pleasure to receive the students of Arthur Meighen School. We hope
they are inspired to reach for their dreams no matter what
they are, because with hard work and dedication, anything
and everything becomes possible.
Prairie Flyer II
Summer 2012 Edition
Find the differences
SAVE THE DATE!!
Saturday, Aug. 25,
2012
10am—2pm
Building 80
Community Rec. &
Fitness Centre
•
Free Pancake Brunch
(10am-noon)
•
On-site demos
•
Program Registration
•
Games and Crafts
•
Jolly Jumps
•
Face Painting
•
•
Photo Booth
AND MUCH MORE!!!
RAIN OR SHINE
TEEN FUNDRAISER!!
DUNK TANK
$1
LOTS OF FUN FOR
THE WHOLE
FAMILY!!!
BRING YOUR LOONIES!!!
Brought to you by:
For more information, contact the
MFRC @ 694-2273 or
PSP @ 694-2222 ext. 5515
www.pspmoosejaw.ca
www.familyforce.ca