TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018 Volume 60, #02 2017 Christmas Flight Program 18 flights, 1675 passengers, and one service dog (Above) Snow falling in the Comox Valley is rare, but the 19 Wing Comox SNIC (snow removal and ice control) crew is always on call, ready to spring to action to keep the airfield open. (Top Right) Cpl Hansen, Cpl Dextradeur, Cpl Peterson, and Sgt Sawisky prepare passengers for check-in. (Mid- dle Right) A Polaris takes off from the snowy airfield. (Bottom Right) MS Paternostre, a flight stew- ard from 437 Transport Squadron based in Trenton, Ontario receives a catering delivery from Cpl Hansen and Cpl Myers. 437 Transport Squadron is equipped with five CC-150 Polaris aircraft that provide long-range transport of personnel and equipment; their expertise is especially appreciated during the Christmas Flight Program. While the majority of points across the country December 15 with the re- “The annual Christmas 19 Wing Comox person- from Comox. turn portion of the program Flight Program actually nel were taking a well- The Christmas Flight completed by January 7. kicks off in the early fall deserved break over the Program provides the op- 19 Wing Traffic, a sec- when the preparations be- holidays, members of 19 portunity for Canadian tion in 19 MSS, is instru- gan,” explains WO Davies. Mission Support Squadron Armed Forces (CAF) per- mental to the Christmas “There is a tremendous (MSS) and 407 Squadron sonnel to be reunited with Flight Program. 19 Wing amount of planning and co- were focused on the task their families during the Traffic Officer WO Mark ordination required to carry of moving service mem- holiday period; the flight Davies led the 2017/ 18 out this airlift mission.” bers, and their families, to program commenced on effort. Continued on page 2. 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(Above) Passengers are loaded under the watchful eyes of ramp attendants Sgt Sawisky, Cpl Pe- WO Davies attended a terson, Cpl Dextradeur, and Cpl Hansen at the top of stairs. (Below) Cpl Hansen and Cpl Boutil- week long working group ier take care of SNIC – by hand – in preparation for departure. and seminar in Ottawa during A Division of Personnel the third week of September Support Programs as part of the initial planning 19 Wing Comox, and preparation stage, and PO Box 1000 Stn. Main, just prior to the release of the Lazo, BC V0R 2K0 CANFORGEN outlining the [email protected] application process. “At this point, SYSCON in Trenton takes the reins to accept and process all the applications from across the country,” explains WO Da- vies, “while the taskers and flight programming folks at 1 Canadian Air Division work out the aircraft type, avail- ability and schedule. This is an ongoing process that con- tinues up to and throughout the holiday season.” As 19 Wing Comox is the “This assisted us in prepa- laughs WO Davies, “but we dations personnel and mem- baggage that was handled western-most destination rations and expediting the made it through relatively bers of the Deputy Wing at 19 Wing Comox alone. - and a turnaround point - turnaround time. We received unscathed, and from the les- Commanders office, who To serve CAF members, several member sections of them on the DND freight sons learned, we managed worked to ensure all pas- Christmas Flight stops were 19 MSS are involved with run - in time to forward to to get everything ironed out sengers had a warm bed for made in nearly every prov- the effort. the applicable section on the prior to the remainder of the the night. ince – affectionately known Traffic is required to per- Wing.” flights. All players were able With two aircraft simulta- as the milk-run. Comox, Ed- form aircraft ground handling “We welcomed our first to streamline the operation neously moving from east to monton, Winnipeg, Trenton, and passenger processing, wave of guests to the “Wet and stay on schedule …this west across the country, the Ottawa, Quebec, Halifax and Transport is required to pro- Coast” to enjoy their Christ- only left “Ole Ma Nature” to arrival and departure times Gander. vide busses and trucks for mas vacations at noon on foil our best laid plans!” posed a challenge for the The CC-138 Twin Otter moving aircrews, passen- Friday, December 15. Very Comox Valley residents are small Air Movements Team. from 440 Transport Squadron The Totem Times is an unoffi- gers, and catering, and Wing early the following morning, accustomed to a wet Christ- “The team not only met the in Yellowknife transported cial publication of 19 Wing Co- Foods/ Flight Feeding is re- check-in was opened, of- mas, but Mother Nature had a challenge, but they surpassed families to Edmonton, and mox, BC. The Editor reserves sponsible for creating and fering a new and improved unique gift for all on Decem- my expectations of them,” the CC-130J Hercules from the right to edit copy and re- ject advertisements to suit supplying large meal orders setup as we prepared for our ber 24. The white stuff started shares WO Davies. 436 Transport Squadron in the needs of the publication. for in-flight service. first departure of outbound to fall. And fall. And stick. Park and start services Trenton was also used, main- Views expressed are those of Over the three week period passengers.” “She made her presence were provided by members ly in the eastern region. the contributor unless express- of the Christmas Flight Pro- The check in process known more than once with of 407 Long Range Patrol 19 Wing Traffic Officer ly attributed to DND, CAF, or other agencies. In case of ty- gram 19 MSS handled a total worked very well compared some not-so-pleasant weath- Squadron. WO Mark Davies offers per- pographical errors, no goods of 18 flights – all on the CC- to previous years, increasing er, but cast her havoc on one Upon crunching the num- spective on the effort. “On may be sold and the difference 150 Polaris which is better the volume and efficiency flight in particular… even bers for each flight, the team a personal note, I am very claimed against this paper. The known as the Airbus – with of check-ins, and providing testing the newly formulat- moved a significant amount satisfied with the successes paper’s liability is limited to a refund of the space charged nine scheduled arrivals and adequate space to separate ed Wing Action Plan,” ex- of passengers and baggage. we accomplished, and want for the erroneous item. Mate- nine departures. CAF Christmas Flight pas- claimed WO Davies. “Inbound we greeted 834 to extend a well-deserved rial may be reprinted with at- “At the beginning of De- sengers from the commercial Indeed, member of the 19 folks with 40,785 lbs. of BZ to my entire crew for go- tribution. Published 22 times cember, Airbus items such airlines, reducing confusion Wing Comox SNIC (snow baggage, while outbound we ing above and beyond this a year, every second Tuesday, with permission of Col Mike as food carriers and meal in the terminal. removal and ice control) processed 841 people, one holiday season …stepping Atkins, 19 Wing Commander. trays were pre-positioned “As for the inaugural flight crew scrambled to keep up, service dog, and 35,842 lbs. up to meet every challenge Publications Mail Registration here by 437 Transport Squad- of every Christmas season, working around the clock to of baggage. we encountered through- No.4098. Printed by Ladysmith ron based in Trenton, On- we had a few minor hiccups keep the airfield open. That is 1,675 passengers out the Christmas Program Press, Ladysmith, BC. Circula- tion: 1800. tario,” explains WO Davies. and hurdles to overcome,” Queue 19 Wing Accomo- and 76,627 lbs of checked this year.” JANUARY 16, 2018 | TOTEM TIMES | 3 眀愀礀瀀漀椀渀琀椀渀猀甀爀愀渀挀攀⸀挀愀 The Air Movement Team paused for a group photo following the final departure of the 2017/18 Christmas flight program. (L-R) Sgt Sawisky, Cpl Boutilier, Cpl Hansen, Cpl My- ers, and Cpl Peterson. Missing from the Air Movement Team photo are MCpl Ott – though we can imagine a wave from inside the plane, Cpl Dextradeur, and 19 Wing Traffic Officer and photographer, WO Davies.