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“Delivering news and information. At home and around the world.”· “Des nouvelles d'ici et de partout ailleurs.” FLYER enclosed will lead you to a local agent who is connected to incoming buyers. DAVID WEIR BA,CD #1 Assoc Broker Royal LePage ProAlliance #1 in Quinte West 394-4837 www.davidweir.com • February 27, 2004 • Serving 8 Wing/CFB Trenton • 8e escadre/BFC Trenton • Volume 39 Issue Number 09 • MESSAGE FROM CAS-- 24 FEB 04 MORE TROOPS RETURN I thought it was important to address all of we only have a fixed budget. So as an Air you today in light of recent media commen- Force we have to determine what we need to tary regarding Wing closures. do. Then we have to get the Department to First,let me state that no decision has been assess our proposals and the Government taken to close Wings in Canada. To suggest ultimately to decide. But I would say in a gen- otherwise is completely inaccurate. However, eral sense we probably have more infrastruc- it is also false to say we have all of the resources ture than we need. we would like to do our jobs. But again, let me stress, no decisions have What does this mean? It means that, just been taken. We are looking at far more than like you, the Air Force will have to find ways just money. We are also looking at more effi- to live within its budget to get the job done cient ways of doing things, such as how we and transform into an Aerospace force capa- train. How many aircraft do we need and ble of dealing with the future security envi- what types? Where should they be based? ronment. How should they be equipped and manned? Photo: Cpl Gayle Wilson, 8 Wing Imaging The Air Force needs to evolve from what How do we deploy? How many Wings do MGen Andrew Leslie, on his return from deployment to Operation Athena (as we are today to Canada’s Aerospace force for we need? Where should they be? the Canadian Commander, Task Force Kabul and Deputy Commander, the future. Soon we will unveil a series of new You will undoubtedly hear many rumours International Security Assistance Force), is greeted by Chief of Land Staff strategic documents that will spell this out and opinions in the future. Listen to these Brigadier-General Marc Caron and 8 Wing Commander Colonel Dave Higgins. clearly. But, how we get there will depend on views, but be smart enough to determine the departmental and government policy deci- difference between policy and hearsay. The sions. These take time to implement, but the leadership of the Air Force will pass on Message du CEMFA – 24 fév 04 transformation planning we are doing today important information to our members as will have a far-reaching impact on the future soon as we can. Je crois qu’il est important de faire le point sur les locations internes afin de progresser dans notre of the Air Force. Bottom line is that to remain an effective propos qui ont été tenus dans les media récement transformation. Ces choix ne sont pas toujours How do we fund this? We have to be pre- force, Canada’s Air Force must continue to concernant la fermeture de bases. faciles. Personne ne veut voir ces capacités dimi- pared to make some internal re-allocations if reduce its operating costs.Tough choices must Laissez-moi vous assurer qu’aucune décision nuées.Toutefois, ces décisions sont nécessaires si on we are to move forward. This is not easy. be made soon so Canadians can rely on a n’a été prise concernant la fermeture d’escadres au veut se transformer. Nobody wants to have less of something, but strong Air Force well into the future. Canada. Les commentaires à cet effet sont com- Je veux toutefois réitérer qu’aucune décision plètement faux. Cependant, il est vrai que nous concernant les fermetures d’escadres n’a été prise. manquons de ressources pour accomplir notre Nous sommes actuellement en train d’évaluer mission et que nous avons plus d’infrastructures toutes nos ressources, nos activités et notre infra- CF STATION ALERT, RIGHT? que nécessaire. structure. Par exemple, nous évaluons notre sys- La Force aérienne doit apprendre à vivre tème d’entraînement, nos besoins en aéronefs, les avec le budget qui lui est alloué. Nous devons endroits où ils devraient être basés, l’équipement accomplir notre mission tout en continuant de et l’équipage dont ils devraient être munis, nos nous transformer en une force aérospatiale capa- pratiques en matière de déploiements, le nombre ble de s’adapter et de réagir au contexte de sécurité d’escadres, leur emplacement, etc. de demain. Je n’ai aucun doute que vous entendrez beau- Depuis les dix dernières années, la Force coup de rumeurs et d’opinions à ce sujet dans les aérienne a subi de nombreuses transformations. mois à venir.Vous pouvez leur prêter attention, Nous lancerons très bientôt une série de docu- cependant ayez assez de jugement pour faire la ments stratégiques qui expliqueront notre vision différence entre une politique et des ouï-dire. Le de la Force aérienne du futur. La concrétisation leadership de la Force aérienne vous informera de de cette vision dépendra bien sûr de son endosse- tout développement aussitôt que possible. ment par le ministère de la Défense nationale et L’essentiel à retenir c’est que pour demeurer le gouvernement du Canada. Le processus est une force efficace,la Force aérienne doit continuer long, toutefois les changements que nous entre- à réduire ses coûts d’opération. Des choix difficiles prenons aujourd’hui auront un impact direct sur devront être faits pour que les Canadiens puis- Photo: Cpl Gayle Wilson, 8 Wing Imaging la Force aérienne et ses membres. sent compter sur une Force aérienne solide dans le Nope! Believe it or not, this is 8 Wing Trenton in February! Brrr! Nous devons nous préparer à faire des réal- futur. The Contact 2 February 27, 2004 News An American in Trenton: The “best assignment I ever had” by Captain Ian Stock ing,” says the Canadian aircrews real- to make us all better.” Wing Public Affairs Pennsylvania born ly know how to get the Sassaman is honest Sassaman. most out of any situa- when asked what he’s “If you ain’t havin’ fun During Sassaman’s tion. And the leader- not going to miss most. flyin’ TAL, you’re doin’ stay at 8 Wing, he’s ship opportunity has “When you love to it wrong.” been employed in a been second to none,” fly like I do, the dimin- Words to live by variety of jobs with 436 says Sassaman. “For ished flying rates are an from Major Daryl Squadron, including example, Aircraft issue, but like everyone Sassaman, a 17-year Aircraft Commander Commanders here have else, we’ve learned to veteran USAF pilot (AC), Training Officer, far more responsibility. make do a lot more who will be completing Deputy Commanding For any young AC, it’s with less and really a four-year exchange Officer and Tactical Air just a great leadership make the best of the assignment with 436 Transport Officer experience.” situation,” he explained. Squadron on May 15 of When asked to In terms of skills “And frankly that’s Major Daryl Sassaman this year. describe some of the training, Sassaman says about it. Trenton has and it won’t be easy for Sassaman wanted to “I’ve got those words differences between the the Canadian flying been the best assign- them to leave either,” relay an important mes- inscribed on the bottom Canadian Air Force and expertise is top-notch. ment I ever had. In fact, says Sassaman. sage to everyone within of my e-mail signature US Air Force, “When it comes to I asked to stay an extra Is there any advice the 8 Wing/CFB block because I strongly Sassaman doesn’t hesi- Advanced Tactical year and I was lucky he wants to share with Trenton community. believe in the fun aspect tate to heap praise on Flying, we as enough to get it.” his fellow countryman “There isn’t a single of the job. Although his hosts for the past Americans can learn a Upon his return replacement, Captain individual here that I flying tactical airlift is a four years. lot from the Canadians, stateside, Sassaman will Jason Priddle, who will would not fly into com- very serious business, “As an American, and it will be my job to be posted to a flying job be arriving here from bat with. Everyone here you’ve got to have fun there are some subtle share what I’ve learned at Wright-Patterson Pope AFB for handover exhibits great pride and doing it too. And here differences between fly- here when I go home. I AFB in Dayton, Ohio duties in April? professionalism when at 436 Squadron, we all ing cultures and train- hope I’ve been able to before attending staff “Make sure you buy carrying out their mis- enjoy flying a lot. It’s ing programs, but flying impart a little bit of my college. a pair of hockey skates sions. I’m proud and just been an incredible a Herc is still flying a USAF experience here “I’ve been treated so and be prepared to get grateful to have had the opportunity for me here Herc, wherever you are. too. And that’s what it’s well by everyone within hooked on Tim opportunity to have and I can honestly say Obviously there are all about, sharing infor- the entire community.