The Westerner for April 26, 2010
Meeting: chair, Ben Doz; music, Jerome; grace, Bill Buckham
Attendance/Guests: 38 including Lieutenant Colonel R. K. "Midas" Vogan, guest speaker; honourary Colonel Paul Byrne, Rotary Club of Edmonton and 419 Fighter Squadron; Steven Eleniak, Rotary Club of Edmonton Northeast; Sandra Steele, developer and Rotary Club of Placencia, Belise
Ethnic Dinner: Guru Restaurant, 170 Street & 100 Avenue, fixed menu, not highly spiced, vegetarian if needed - advise Bob Lamoureux, registration sheet was circulated
Grandview BBQ: May 4, 5:30, cocktails; 6:00 pm dinner; entertainment by Jay Kulchinsky
Thankyou: President Ben thanked Lorne, Rob Dunseith, & Laurie for their work in set up and other procedures to enable a great Paul Harris evening to occur, last week
Integrity Award: Bev Findlay was our club's award winner at the Integrity Award Dinner held last Wednesday. Those of our club that did not attend missed a great evening where fabulous stories of humanitarian service from all the award winners were told. You need to attend to establish your claim to be Rotarians.
Club Assistant Secretary: Jean Lauzon will assist Laurie to perform all the duties of club secretary - thanks Jean
Rotary International Video Award: Centennial Interact Club, our representative club at Ross Shepard High School, won this award, the only Interact Club in the world to win an award - for international service - we assume for their Belise project.
50/50: Sherry Holmes & Brian did not match cards
Belise: Sandra Steele brought greetings from Placencia as well as a letter of thankyou for our club's funding of the washroom project in their elementary school. Duane advised that our involvement, together with the Rotary Club of Edmonton, could continue for a long time.
Finemaster: Ron got just about everyone with his various questions - $2 from Charlie (can you hear?); $1 from Ben Doz for late call to be finemaster; $1 if you did not attend Interact fundraiser, Integrity Awards, Paul Harris Night; $1 if you were not wearing you Rotary pin or if you were late for the meeting; $1 from Ross for not eating Greek salmon; $1 from Bill Buckham re starting grace twice; $2 from Steve Eleniak for promoting membership in Rotary Club of Edmonton Northeast to a potential Rotary Club of Edmonton West member
Guest Speaker: honoury Colonel Paul Byrne introduced Lieutenant Colonel Midas Vogan, commanding officer of 419 Tactical Fighter Squadron. Midas got a B A from Carleton University, then a law degree, then to RCAF to fly. He was awarded the Campaign Star for peacekeeping in Europe (Kosovo) and was a demonstration pilot for the CF18 aircraft. He had to spend time on a hard luck tour, living in Florida, before becoming current 419 c/o
419 started in 1941 flying under powered bombers. They became the most decorated squadron in North America with 2 Victoria Crosses, 4 DSO's, several Distinguished Flying Crosses (some with bars) and Military Crosses. Currently the squadron operates under a strategic alliance of military and civilian partners. The squadron commander is called Moose after Moose Fulton, the first c/o who was killed in action.
In 2000, the squadron was outfitted with CT155 Hawk aircraft. In 2010, there are 8 nations involved in the strategic alliance. The focussed team approach promotes adequate training (any country can expect to call their military into action at any time). A Canadian is always the commander but members of other countries' military components are appointed to high levels of authority. 20 instructor pilots, 3 support staff, up to 24 sorties per day. 4 wing support facilities, in Cold Lake, for maintenance. Technology includes ACM which records a computer copy of all training flights under the direction of the Flight Training Director. The Hawk has a glass cockpit, SIM weapons and is highly manuverable. There are no pure flying sessions (that is done in other squadrons) as all training is done in dog fights. Good Enough is not good enough - pilots need to push the envelop.
Prior to attending 419, pilots take 30 missions in a Cessna style aircraft, then to turbo prop aircraft. Graduates are posted to helicopter or multi-engine or fighter aircraft based on the military's need and the the pilot's atributes.
Cold Lake has lots of clear flying area and the program creates thinking pilots. Graduates are prepared for fighter operations. This is a most successful alliance. It brings international dollars to Canada, specifically Alberta.
Midas was thanked by Brigadier (Retired) Bill Buckham