904 (Lake Chapala-Mexico) Wing
Air Force Association of Canada
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Last updated
April 19 2012
Newsletters
Program
June 2011 |
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In This Issue:
- Editor's Comments
- Regular Meetings
- Beer Calls
- New Years's Day Levee
- Best Ball Golf Tournament
- Dinner Dance
- Annual General Meeting
- 2011 Leon Air Show
- Libyan Conflict
- Upcoming Events
Now that the Lake Chapala summer is well established, with day after day of warm/hot sunny weather, most of our snowbirds have departed for much cooler and cloudier parts. By way of total contrast, those of us who call Lake Chapala home keep looking at the skies in hope that the rains come soon.
Regular Meetings
- In December, Ron Hudson was persuaded to give us an overview of what it life was like as a fighter pilot in Canada's Air Division in Europe in the mid-50's. Canadian pilots enjoyed an excellent reputation in their Canadair Mark 6 Sabres, and Ron was particularly fortunate to have served in 421 (Red Indian) Squadron in Grostenquin, France.
- Ed Healey, who spent a long and distinguished career as a naval officer before working as a civilian in National Defence, was our speaker at the regular January meeting. He provided us with several highly amusing anecdotes ranging from his time as an extremely junior officer through to his experiences working after retirement for the Minister of National Defence.
- Gordon Ferrie gave a highly controversial and original view of international relations in February.
The decision to change the location for the Beer Calls to the Hole in One restaurant has obviously been most successful, as shown by the excellent turnout. An additional advantage has been that the restaurant serves excellent and innovative dishes for those members who decide to stay for dinner with their wives and friends.
New Year's Day Levee
Once again, we held this traditional Canadian event in the party room of the Birds of Paradise. Food preparation was done out by a group of wives of the Wing Executive. Ron Hudson and Harry Wylie were responsible for organising the bar, and for ensuring that the Moose Milk met the most exacting standards. Given that the dress for the Levee was specified as semi-formal, most of our male members were reasonably successful in remembering how to tie their ties, an almost-forgotten skill for those of us living beside Lake Chapala.
Best Ball Golf Tournament
Mike Briscoe and Bob Rowlatt once again did sterling work in organizing the annual golf tournament on 1 February at Vista del Lago. As expected, the weather cooperated, and the players were joined by other members and partners for an excellent pig roast.
Smiling happily after their successes are Mike and Mae Bishop, together with Sandy and Mike Briscoe. |
 Pierre Charlebois, Ken Stroud, Don Fraser and Steve Griffiths |
More winners - Kent Russell and Susie, alongside Clay Gamble and Tammie. |
Dinner Dance
This was held on 10 March at the Nueva Posada. Although the evening was extremely enjoyable, it was disappointing that the attendance by Wing members was low compared with previous years. Fortunately, this was compensated in part by the appearance of a large number of guests, including the Canadian Consul-General, Yvonne Chin and her husband, and also several members of the A.E.M.A. from Guadalajara. As was the case in previous years, the participants not only enjoyed a good dinner but also danced to the music of Ricardo and Mirage.
The 2010-2011 Executive, together with Canadian Consul Yvonne Chin. L-R Harry Wylie, Ken Reppen, John Prichard, Mike Briscoe, Don Slimman, Martin Inwood |
AEMA with the Canadian Consul Yvonne Chin L-R Cap. Jose Manuel Plascencia, Cap. Manuel Aguilar, Cap. Regino Mata, Cap. Amador Cantu, Cap. Roberto Montoya |
Annual General Meeting
It was very pleasant to be able to hold our AGM outside on the lawn of the Nueva Posada on 31 March. After reports by the President and Treasurer, voting was held for the members of the Wing Executive for 2011-2012.
The following gentlemen were elected unopposed:
| 904 Wing Executive Council for 2011-2012 | |
| President | John Prichard |
| 1st Vice President | Harry Wylie |
| Second Vice President | Colin Hodgson |
| Secretary | Ron Hudson |
| Treasurer | Ken Reppen |
| Newsletter | Don Slimman |
| Past President | Mike Briscoe |
Flyers Air Show - Leon 2011
Several of our members were able to take advantage of the 2011 Leon Air Show, as invited guests of the Flyers Team of Guadalajara. Reports indicate that the show was highly professional and enjoyable, including aerobatics in a Lear Jet, and parachutists jumping with the flags of Mexico, Canada and the United States. Past President Mario Okunsky was presented with the Canadian flag.
Libyan Conflict
It is particularly gratifying to note the contribution being made by the Canadian Air Force in the current conflict in Libya, following the UN Security Council vote to take action to enforce the no-fly Zone and for the protection of civilians. Task Force Libeccio, comprised of 7 CF-188 Hornet fighters, 2 CC-130 Hercules tankers, 2 CP-140 Aurora Maritime patrol aircraft and 1 CC-150 Polaris tanker, has been operating out of two airfields in Sicily. As of 1 June, over 560 sorties have been completed. The fact that command of the NATO air assets was given to Canadian General Charles Bouchard is another indication of the significant role being played by the Canadian Air Force in this campaign.
While on the subject of Libya, we were glad to see the return of one of our members from that country. Hugo Beauchemin had been flying commercially out of Libya for some time, and he was able to leave shortly after the conflict began
Upcoming Events
The summer program is available on the Program Page. As we have done during previous summers, with many of our members out of the country, our activities will be sharply reduced. Still, our popular Beer Calls will continue at the Hole in One on the second Thursday of each month.