904 (Lake Chapala-Mexico) Wing

Air Force Association of Canada

Wing Newsletters

Send site suggestions to webmaster@904wing.org

Last updated
July 7, 2008
Wing Executive

January 2005

PRINT (PDF File 141K)

Editor's Comments
This issue of the bulletin features an article from the Canadian Armed Forces website outlining the update program to the CF-18 as well as the guidelines for AFAC and Wing Membership Fees. We also have the second in a series of Willy's Web Favourites. Don't miss the next meeting at the Old Posada for a fun games night and the presentation by Roger Heath on the Federal Superannuates National Association.

The editor's would welcome your comments on any of the articles included in this issue of the newsletter. For future editions, please pass any suggestions to Bob Rowlatt or Mario Okunsky. The deadline for submissions for the next issue is 3 March 2005.

Federal Superannuates National Association (FSNA)
The Federal Superannuates National Association is a non-profit organization established to represent superannuates and spouses from the Public Service of Canada, the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At the February 11th meeting of the Wing Roger Heath will describe his plan to establish a Branch of the Association in Mexico in an effort to lobby for improved travel and health insurance coverage for superannuates in Mexico, both snowbirds and residents. Roger worked for the FSNA for three years as the health specialist so is extremely well qualified to undertake this project, which could be a great benefit to the members of the Wing as well as other superannuates living or visiting Lakeside.

Medical Support Project
The aim of the Medical Support Project is to enable members of 904 Wing to access the Military Hospital in Guadalajara. The team undertaking the project includes Roger Heath, Colin Hodgeson, Martin Inwood, Frans Vandenberg and Bill Watt ex-officio.

Meetings
Date	Theme	Speaker	Venue
11 Feb	Games Night	Roger Heath	Old Posada, 4 P.M.
Mid Mar	Dinner/Dance - Details to be announced	Members	La Nueva Posada

AFAC and Wing membership Fees are Due before 01 June, 2005

General

Member National and Wing dues are payable to the Treasurer by 01 June 2005. Wing members should not pay their National dues directly to AFAC HQ.

The AFAC and Wing operating year is from 01 July to 30 June. Wing and National Dues for the period 01 July 2005 to 30 June 2006 to are payable to the Treasurer not later than 01 June 2005 to enable the receipt of a consolidated return of National dues at National HQ by 30 June 2005. (Exception is those members, who, as Members at Large, pre-paid National dues for two or three years and whose MAL membership would have extended beyond 01 July, 2006. AFAC HQ will advise us of details.)

Annual Wing Dues

Wing Dues are currently 200 Mexican Pesos per year for all members.

Annual AFAC Membership Dues

National renewal dues are $33.00 Canadian per year. This covers the operation of the National office, and your subscription to "Air Force" Magazine.

Payment

Wings must submit National dues to National HQ as a single remittance. However, in this regard, 904 Wing has a unique challenge. Since no local banks have Canadian dollar (CAD) accounts, we must write a consolidated CAD cheque on a Canadian bank or submit a locally purchased CAD money order.

The simplest way to handle this is for members to pay National dues to the Wing Treasurer in cash. If you do not have Canadian dollars, these dues may be paid in equivalent Mexican funds. Based on current rates this amounts to 315 Pesos. The Wing will then remit a consolidated money order to National HQ in Canadian funds.

Bottom Line in Mexican Funds
Wing dues	200 Pesos
National dues	315 Pesos
Total payable	515 Pesos

Snowbirds: Please pay your National dues before you return home to ensure continued membership and uninterrupted delivery of Air Force Magazine.

Executive Council
President	Bill Watt
1st Vice-President	Pete De Tracey
2nd Vice-President	Ron Hudson
Secretary	Jack Girard
Treasurer	Tombo Thomlinson

January 6, 2005

CF-18 Modernization Celebrates Midway Point of Phase I (Reprinted from Canadian Forces)

OTTAWA - The Canadian Forces took delivery of the 40th "Phase I" modernized CF-18 Hornet from Boeing International today. This marks the midway completion point for Phase I modernization.

The $880-million contract with Boeing, awarded in 2001, includes procurement and installation of a sophisticated technical upgrade package that will help extend the life of the CF-18 until at least 2017. The package is based on the US Navy's F-18 Hornet upgrade program and was found to be the most cost-effective and lowest risk solution for Canada's CF-18 modernization requirements. Under sub-contract, the aircraft modifications are being done by L-3 MAS at its facilities in Mirabel, Quebec.

"This contract was undertaken as part of a thorough mid-life upgrade of our CF-18s that will ensure we have a modern and interoperable fighter fleet for years to come," said Defence Minister Bill Graham. "We are meeting the challenges of today's global security environment with the cost effective acquisition of a fully tested and proven system."

"The CF-18 Incremental Modernization Project reflects the first step to ensuring Canada is able to maintain a supportable, survivable and operationally capable fighter force," said General Ray Henault, Chief of the Defence Staff. " The modernized aircraft will allow us to better serve Canadians at home and abroad. "

Phase I constitutes the greater portion of the two-phased modernization program and is being conducted in parallel with several other upgrades, from new simulators to new air-to-air missiles. The upgrade package, which has been extensively tested and flown operationally by the US Navy, includes: a new radar; "Have-Quick" jam-resistant radios; a combined interrogator-transponder; stores management systems; mission computers; and embedded global positioning and inertial navigation systems.

Phase I modernization is on target for completion by summer 2006.

Willy's Web Favourites

Aviation

http://www.landings.com

Landings.com is a civil aviation site originating in Albuquerque, New Mexico with contributions from around the world. The "News" section is excellent, featuring an eclectic mix of current story abstracts with hot links to the originating source. The "stories" section is a bit more folksy. Check out the story entitled "Tucumcari". It talks about the Canadian Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Snowbirds.

For the active aviator, major features include the "Flying/Flight Planning" and "FYI" sections. "Flying/Flight Planning" provides a route calculator, an airport locator, Navaid data and Air Traffic information. "FYI" provides access to NOTAMS, the US Fire Center, and recent US FAA Regulation changes.

There is a "Forums" section enabling discussion on such diverse topics as Airport Security and Flying in West Africa. There is also a comprehensive links Directory at the bottom of the home page. The "Military" category leads to hundreds of military and related sites. For those of you who wish to stay 'up' on civil aviation, this is a premier site.

General Interest - Genealogy

http://www.cyndislist.com

If you have often thought about researching your family tree but did not know where to begin, "Cyndi's List" is an ideal place to start. "Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet" is probably the number one genealogy 'jump site' on the Internet, with almost a quarter of a million categorized and cross-referenced links. Cyndi's List has been on-line since March 1996 and has won wide recognition in both the genealogical and popular media.

If you are a newcomer to this fascinating field, begin by clicking on the "Are You New to Genealogy?" heading on the home page. This will take you to a rich selection of sites that can provide you with many hints, tips and guides. It will also lead you to a large selection of newsgroups, publications and software.

Of particular interest to Wing members is the Canada section (click on "Main Index" and scroll down to the "Canada Index"). The Canada Index provides hundreds of links by province and has a separate section entitled "Canada-Military" with about 200 links.

Cyndi's List is truly the genealogical mother lode. However, let the user beware. Browsing through Cyndi's List can become habit forming.

Arguing with a pilot is like wrestling with a pig in the mud,
after a while you begin to think the pig likes it.