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Dispatch Issue # 17
Week of January 15, 2012
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Cadet of the Week
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Letters from Afghanistan
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Parents of new cadets may not be aware but last Spring 151 Squadron collected $2800 which allowed the Squadron to purchase some 280 $10 Tim Cards which we sent to members of the Canadian Forces serving in Afghanistan. We have already received 4 letters and thank you notes from individuals who had a coffee on us and now we have just received two more letters.
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Last week it was a pleasant surprise to meet Capt. Dale Gray a current Officer with the 1913 Army Cadets who had received one of our cards while he was serving in Afghanistan.
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Capt. Dale Gray
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I was a Senior NCO with The Ontario Regiment for 16 years and then transferred over to the CIC and have served in that capacity since 1997. I am currently serving with 1913 Army cadets here in Oshawa.
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I recently returned from Afghanistan, after doing a tour as a Supply Tech ( 7 months), first working with the Canadian Brigade, putting together supply convoys out to the Forward Bases in various locations in Panjwai and Masenguarb Districts, “Op Athena”, then during the “Mission Transition” returning equipment back to Canada.
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I have to tell you, its great being back home. You really miss the small things like the colour green. The dust there has the consistency of powder and is always in everything. Putting up with the rocket and mortar attacks at all times of the day and night as well as suicide bombers. Scorpions and sand fleas are always fun as well. So, as you can imagine, the little comforts from back home were always welcome.
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I was truly surprised one day when I received a Tims Card from 151 Chadburn Squadron. It was in the middle of my tour, and having a nice Ice Cap (temperatures reached 63c ) or a Coffee in the morning really made my day.
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I wanted to thank everyone who had something to do with sending the Cards over, you will never know how much it meant to me and the other people there, to receive a little something from home.
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Please pass on my many thanks to the Cadets, Parents and Officers of your Corps. Your kind gesture really meant a lot to me, even more so as it was from home, here in Oshawa.
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Sincerely,
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Captain Dale K Gray, CD
1913, The Ontario Regt, RCACC
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Needless to say it was rather an exciting moment to actually meet someone who personally did have a coffee on us. This meeting in the Officers ‘Mess was followed by another letter from Maj. Bruce MacDonnell who sent F/Cpl McNaught the following note.
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F/Cpl McNaught
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Many thanks for the coffee. I bought a tray into work and shared with the Cdn, US and Australians who man the combined Joint Operations Centre for Kandahar and Kabul. These guys are standing watch while we pack the last sea containers and roll the last LAV on the C-177’s to go home.
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Regards,
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Maj. Bruce MacDonnell
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Cadet Aero Space Activities
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Last training night, the Level Two cadets participated in a class where they worked on a space technology project. This is part of the new Cadet Training Program that has been rolling out over the last four years. The lesson, M240.02, was the second lesson in Performance Objective 240, where cadets participate in aerospace activities. The aim of Proficiency Level Two aerospace is to augment the cadet’s notions of aerospace.
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The cadets learned about the many challenges astronauts encounter while in space, such as, transportation to and from space; and the living environment in space. In groups of no more than four, the cadets then invented a space technology item, to include:
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a. brainstorming ideas about the invention;
b. designing the idea on paper; and
c. constructing the item out of consumable items.
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At the end of the sixty minute lesson, the cadets shared their space technology item with the entire group. The cadets had many phenomenal ideas and inventions. A good time was had by all. Congratulations Level 2s!
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2012 Summer Training National Training Courses
Mock Interviews
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On Monday January 30, the Squadron will be conducting mock interviews for cadets who have applied for a National Training Course this summer. The interviews will provide each candidate with constructive input for the upcoming National Course Interviews which are scheduled for:
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1. Power/Glider and Aircraft Maintenance Candidates – Saturday February 4th, 4900 Yonge Street, Toronto. We will be meeting at the Hall and travelling as a group to 4900. Time is being confirmed.
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2. International Exchange – Saturday February 18, 4900 Yonge Street, Toronto. Time and Travel arranges to be confirmed.
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A schedule for the interview times will be published within the next week . Interviews will be held at the school in the Senior/NCO room. Each interview will consist of a 10 minute interview and 5-10 minute debrief.
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National Course Applications
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The national course applications were delivered to the Air Cadet League on Thursday January 12. The following cadets are reminded they still owe medicals in order to complete their application package.
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SGT Boyden, FCPL Garratt, SGT Katzer, FSGT Lysyk, Sgt Nemeth.
These medicals must be completed before March 31, 2012.
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Band Practice
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Another important aspect of the Squadron’s training program is the Squadron band. Not everyone gets a chance to see the whole band in action so we have included a photo taken at last weeks band practice.
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Aviation Photo of The Week
The X3 Eurocopter
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The X3 Eurocopter first flew in France on 6 September 2010. On 12 May 2011 the X3 flew at a speed of 430 km/h (267 mph) for several minutes. It has no tail rotor and the designers added a pair of powerful engines mounted on short wings. The engines are used to power both the side propellers and main rotor. These propellers are used to counter the torque of the main rotor and are also used to provide thrust to push the X3 beyond typical helicopter speeds.
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Have a look:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/8ljxyDtCsaM
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Notes:
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151 Chadburn Squadron
Royal Canadian Air Cadets
*** Excelsior per Debere ***Excellence through Endeavour
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