Volume 27 / Issue 3 GANDER MFRC Summer 2019

Dandelions and APS

The trees are finally turning green and I have a bumper crop of dandelions on my front lawn which means APS is in full swing and summer is just around the corner (fingers crossed!). Lots of good- byes will be said over the coming weeks as many of our families move on to their next posting. We really hope you enjoyed your time in Gander and in Newfoundland. I hope you were able to experience our culture and see the sights and scenery on our beautiful island. And I hope you met some wonderful people and forged lasting friendships. I wish you all the best in your new home and be sure to check out your MFRC at your new lo- cation.

APS also means new families are coming our way and we can’t wait to introduce you to your new home in Gander and to the rest of Newfoundland. You only have 3 short years to fit in seeing all there is to see here so let us help you begin your adventure! We have a great Welcome Package waiting for you when you get here filled with lots of information and coupons to help you get started. Please remember we are only a phone call away if you have a question or inquiry about any- thing – 709-256-1703 ext. 1206 or check us our on Facebook – Gander MFRC.

To help get you thinking about what you have to look forward to while you’re here I’ve put together a “10 things you should do while you’re in Newfoundland” list. The hardest thing about putting together this list was stopping at 10!

1. Walk the trail around Gander’s Cobb Pond Park; WHAT’S INSIDE 2. See the Dungeons in Bonavista; 3. Visit Twillingate in Iceberg Alley; 4. Check out the fjords in Gros Morne National Park; You should know! 2-3 5. Climb (and I mean climb!) Signal Hill in St. John’s; 6. Have a – and don’t forget the molasses; 7. Enjoy a delicious – a traditional New- Deployment News 4 foundland meal; 8. Go puffin and whale watching; Attention members of the Veteran Com- 5 9. Watch the sunrise in Cape Spear – the most easterly munity point in North America; Kids’ Korner 6-7 10. Downhill skiing in winter and zip lining in summer at Marble Mountain. Community Integration & Referral 7 I hope everyone has a sunny summer and safe travels! Health Promotion 8 Peggy Blake Executive Director Initiatives launched to retain and increase 9 RCAF personnel experience levels

Your opinion matters 10

Page 1 Summer 2019 Pour recevoir la version française de l’Alliance, contactez la coordinatrice à l’information au poste 1147

THE PURPOSE: 9 WING GANDER EDUCATION BURSARY The purpose of the Gander Military Family Resource Centre is to provide services, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA programs and resources which will improve the quality of family life and strengthen our The purpose of the Wing Fund is to provide morale military community. and welfare programs and resources which will BOARD MEMBERSHIP: enhance the quality of family life for Wing members Chairperson -Sandra McKellar and their families. To the furtherance of this mis- Vice Chair -Kristin Gills sion, the Wing Fund is pleased to introduce annual Treasurer -Gerri Martin bursary funding to eligible military spouse and Secretary -Natasha Appolloni youth dependants. MEMBERS: -Heather Heim -Amber Bennett CRITERIA: -Jan Gill  Bursaries are available to the spouses and dependant family members -Felix Tachie of the 9 Wing Team Personnel (CF, DND, NPF and MFRC employees). -Laura Lascelle  Bursaries are available to only one family member per year. -Stefany Squires  Bursaries must be used within the year they are awarded. -Carla Vander Voort  All applicants must document bursary needs through the submission of a completed and signed application form to the Wing Fund Bursary EX-OFFICIO: Committee. -MWO Lori Ann Kelly  A Personal Statement must accompany application forms. The Personal -Capt. Shawn King Statement should describe your interests; community involvement, long -Peggy Blake (Executive Director) term academic and career goals; and any other information to support

GMFRC STAFF: your request. (Maximum 2 pages) Peggy Blake  Proof of expenditures on Bursary eligible expenses within the financial Executive Director…..loc. 1274 or 235-0255 year is required. Kim Elms Family Liaison / Social Worker…...loc. 1146 ELIGIBLE EXPENSES: Danielle St-Pierre  College or University courses or programs. Information/Employment/SLT.…....loc. 1147 Kellie Synyard  Trade, Technical courses or programs. Prevention Support & Intervention..loc.1148  Certification programs (re-certification due to relocation). Nancy Critchley  Upgrade courses for existing certification. Children & Youth……………….… loc. 1201 Kinza Slater Children Youth Assistant...... loc. 1201 Bursary Fund is limited to $1000 for the entire Wing. We are unable to assist Colleen Hiscock Deployment…………………………loc. 1202 all deserving applicants. All applicants will be notified in writing of the results Wanda Kearley of their application. Deadline August 1st, 2019 . For more information or to Volunteer / Quality of Life .……..…loc. 1148 obtain an application form, please contact Nigel Summer, PSP manager or Janis Crocker Danielle St-Pierre, GMFRC Employment Coordinator Veteran Family Program …..…….loc. 1435 Tracy Ryan Accounting/Office Manager……....loc. 1206 Kim LeJeune Reception / Program Assistants....loc. 1206 Kelly Hartley & Jenna Vautier IMPORTANT NUMBERS Military Family Outreach Services Corner Brook Satellite……..(709) 637-4591 TOWN POLICE 256-4065 GMFRC (AFTER HOURS SUPPORT) 235-0255 Call the Centre at EMERGENCY ROOM 256-5552 (709) 256-1703 loc. 1206 / 1274 POISON CONTROL 1-866-727-1110 Website: CAFconnection.ca HEALTH LINE 1-888-709-2929 Email: [email protected] CRIME STOPPERS 1-800-222-8477 Join “Gander MFRC” Facebook group MILITARY POLICE 256-1725 GANDER FIRE RESCUE 256-1111 AMBULANCE 651-2111 CFMAP 1-800-268-7708

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Hi Everyone!

Since September 2018, I have had the joy of working at the MFRC with the Before & After School program, and while doing so have met some wonderful families here in Gander. This was such a fun experience that I will never forget, as I start my new position with the MFRC. I’m so excited to be sitting at the front desk as the new receptionist, replacing the lovely Kel- lie who is now working upstairs as the Community Integration & Referral Coordinator. I look forward to seeing you all at the centre.

Kim LeJeune, Reception/Program Assistant

MILITARY KIDS WILL HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE TO MORE SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE BY THE AGE OF 18 THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON HAS TO IN THEIR ENTIRE LIFETIME.

Did you know that the official flower of the military child is the Dandelion? The plant puts down roots almost anywhere, and it’s almost impossible to destroy. The dandelion is an unpretentious plant, yet good-looking (except for the habit of being least where you expect it.). It’s a survivor in a broad range of climates. Experts say that military children are well rounded, culturally aware, tolerant and extremely resilient. But that doesn’t happen by accident. Behind every military child are the military parents working to enhance the lifestyle that is handed to our military children.

To the Families who are leaving us this summer, I wish you safe trav- els, joy and happiness as you begin your new chapter.

Look back with a smile Go forward with courage Many wishes for all that is good go with you

To those arriving…Welcome! I look forward to getting to know you and assisting with your transition to life in beautiful Newfoundland!

Kim Elms MFRC Social Worker CAF Transition Group Family Liaison Officer

With the summer season quickly approaching, the staff here at the GMFRC and our programing will slow down a little. This ensures that the staff can en- joy some vacation time with their families. We will however, be running some programs throughout the summer months. I will continue to offer Tuesday mornings Time for Me. This program runs from 9:30 – 11:30 am. This is a program geared towards the military spouse, it gives you a chance to get out and meet other members of our community. Low cost limited childcare is provided here at the Centre if you would like to avail to this service. In addition to coffee mornings, I am hoping to hold an occasional bingo night, craft night or any evening program that is of interest to our community. We are here to ensure that our military community receives the services and program- ming that may be of interest to you. If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to call Wanda at 256 -1703 x 1148. On behalf of the staff at the GMFRC, we wish you all a safe and happy summer. Wanda Kearley Volunteer Manager / Adult Programs Coordinator

Page 3 Summer 2019 Pour recevoir la version française de l’Alliance, contactez la coordinatrice à l’information au poste 1147

Gander Military Family Resource Centre CORNER BROOK SATELLITE OFFICE Deployment Services The Corner Brook Military Family Resource Centre Coor- For those of you whom are new to our beautiful province dinators, Kelly Hartley and Jenna Vautier have been fo- and are now calling Gander home, I would like to say wel- cusing on outreach coming up in the near future. We will come to you and your family! be travelling to Deer Lake, Pasadena, Stephenville, Flat Bay and areas up the coast. We are looking forward to Our province has much to offer; whether you are into winter spreading awareness about the Military Family Resource sports, hiking, boating, skiing, fishing, kayaking…we have it Centre and travelling to new locations to meet current all! members, Rangers, Veterans and families.

And just like our province has hidden gems, so does your In the picture below, the members of the 2nd Battalion new MFRC. So for the new spouses who will be experienc- Royal NL Regiment, Cadets, Canadian Rangers and citi- ing an absent member any time during your time in Gander, zens of Corner Brook, gathered at the old train site yes- check out the respite care and Emergency Childcare pro- terday evening to take part in a boots ceremony - Jour- grams. You won’t be disappointed. ney across Event to commemorate the 75th An- niversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. Respite care (up to five hours a week) is available to you any time your spouse is absent for work purposes. Task- ings, training, courses, deployments (domestic or foreign), Here WO Stephen Peyton, Commanding Officer LCol td…any time the member is away from their unit working, Mark Felix, Commemoration Advisor - VAC Stephen Aus- and you have small children, you may have, and are encour- tin, Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons, MFRC Coordinator aged to use respite care. SLt Kelly Hartley, Canadian Ranger Sgt Corey Evoy and Canadian Ranger Pte Robert Jacobs pay tribute to those You may ask, if my spouse is away for a week, am I entitled who fought and sacrificed so much to defend peace and to respite care? freedom during the Second World War. We also remem- ber those who never returned. Simply put, the answer is yes!

We will prorate it based on the time the CAF member is away! Just remember, respite care is not a replacement for your regular work childcare. In addition, you can use your respite care in two ways. You can bring your child to casual childcare at the GMFRC and that time can be used for res- pite or if that is not convenient, you may bring a sitter of your choice into your home, get a receipt from your sitter indicat- ing, name, address, number of hours of childcare, and SIN if they have one. Bring the receipt into the GMFRC and we will reimburse you up to $10 an hour.

And what if my CAF member is away, I have small children and I have a sudden emergency (I have fallen down the stairs and need to be hospitalized)?

Give us a call and we can put a childcare agency in place within a few hours. The worker will stay with your children for a maximum of 96 hours. This will allow sufficient time for Please remember that the Family Information Line (FIL) family to assist, for recovery or for the CAF member to return is available any time by calling 1-800-866-4546. home. There is no cost to you for Emergency Childcare. If there is an emergency, please call the If you would like further details about Respite or Emergency Executive Director, Childcare, please contact me at 256-1703 Loc 1202 or drop Peggy Blake at 1-709-235-0255. by 125 Sullivan Avenue for a visit! @CornerBrookSatelliteOfficeGanderMFRC Colleen Hiscock @CBMFRC Deployment Coordinator

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Welcome to summer, and welcome to those of you that are new to Gander this APS. Over the spring we hosted a Mental Health First Aid Veteran Community and I am happy to say it went over with great success. We will be hosting one in Pasadena on June 24th & 25th as well as another here in the fall.

Just a reminder that as a Veteran you still are eligible for the same wonderful services that you availed of as a CAF member. Keeping that in mind, we offer some site specific services at the Gander MFRC. We offer: ~ PMQ rental 50.00 per night, in case of a medical appointment the PMQ is free of charge. ~ Family Medical Travel Assistance. ~ Access to Online Dr. If you would like more information please contact me at [email protected],ca or 709-256-1703 Loc. 1435.

We also had the pleasure of meeting with veteran Keven Martel. On June 1st Keven started his Conquest of Canada. This quest is to cross Canada from the most easterly point to the most westerly point geographically.

To do this, he will have to travel approx. 10,000km, which will lead him to the furthest corners of Canada, where only a few have stood and whose remote location would be difficult to reach in emergency situations, to the point where it could make a clear difference between life and death.

Keven will cross 7 provinces and 2 territories through which he will discover several types of vegetation: he will walk in the Boreal Forest, the Subarctic Forest, and the tundra. From wolf to polar bear, and grizzly, Keven will have to be careful and gather all his knowledge to confront these numerous predators that he will face along the way.

His criteria are very precise: the route has to be made without motorized transportation, completed alone, and done by never setting foot further south than the 50th parallel, except in Newfoundland, because his starting point is located fur- ther south. Once the 50th parallel is reached, it will be forbidden to go below it. This adventure started at Cape Spear on June 1st (47 ° 31 ‘25 North, 52 ° 37 ‘10 West).

This amazing journey will now take him across the province, up the Northern Peninsula then across the Strait of Belle Isle by kayak. This cross Canada trip will end at the Alaska/Yukon border where it meet the Arctic Ocean, in Ivvavil National park (Yukon) (69 ° 38 ‘47” North, 141 ° 00 ‘01″ West) (approximately 9KM east of Gordon, Alaska).

To follow him on this amazing conquest visit www.kevenmartel.com. Keven hopes to raise funds and give visibility to the program "Soldier On".

Excerpt from www.kevenmartel.com

Page 5 Summer 2019 Pour recevoir la version française de l’Alliance, contactez la coordinatrice à l’information au poste 1147

Summer Childcare you must call ahead to register. Fees: $20.00 per child a day, $10.00 per child for half day

Childcare through the summer will be Mondays 1:15 to 4pm, Philosophy Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:45 to 11:45am. With the excep- The Wing Summer Program is an active program, which tion of July 29 to Aug 2 there will be no childcare. promotes being active, as well as friendship, teamwork Fee….4.00child/$5.00 per Family/Per Hour. Call 256-1703 and a safe environment. ex 1206 to register. NOTE: Creative Learning Program will resume on Sept th Enrolment Requirements 12 , 2019. Children must be between the ages of 5 – 12 (can attend For the Monday and Tuesday/Thursday childcare you can if birthday is before Dec 31 and going into kindergarten in only register a week in advance and spaces are limited. Sept). Children must be registered by Wednesday of the Watch our Facebook page for weekly updates. previous week. Parents are required to fill out a registra- tion form, complete with the child’s MCP number. With the summer season here and some great weather ahead, on days that the weather permits we may go outside Guiding Behaviours so we ask that when your child/children are attending sum- Negative or inappropriate behaviour will be dealt with in a mer programs that they come with SUNCREEN ON AND A positive and logical manner. The summer program practic- HAT. es the “Time Out” method of discipline for appropriate be- haviour. Children will be given information in order to guide their behaviour to acceptable limits. Every attempt will be made to discuss the problem with the child or chil- dren and they will be encouraged to solve problems them- selves. Parents will be notified when their child is placed in Time Out and the incidents leading up to the time out will be documented. The documentation will be kept on file, and a copy given to the Child/Youth Coordinator.

Health Policies Parents are required to complete a medical form on their child. Children will not be granted entrance if they are sick with fever, flu or communicable disease. (Chicken pox, Summer Friends and Company pink eye, etc.) In the event that your child has to take pre- scribed medication, a release form has to be completed by This summer, we will be continuing with our Friends and parent or caregiver. Accidents and injuries will be docu- Company program throughout the summer. Friends & Com- mented pany is a social opportunity open to everyone within the Mili- tary community. We encourage not only parents to partici- Day Trips pate in this program but also grandparents and other care- Whenever possible we will be taking children on outings givers. The purpose of this program is to provide a stimulat- such as local play- ing environment through social activity and learning experi- grounds, local fairs, ences for both adults and children alike. So come out and etc. If a trip is join us every Friday from 9:30 – 11:30am planned for the whole day parents 9 Wing/ GMFRC Kids will be asked to pro- vide a lunch and Summer Programs extra for their children. A note Hours of operation will be sent home The Summer Camp Program runs from 7:10 to 5:00pm specifying our desti- Monday to Friday, starting the July 2nd until August 23rd, nation, return time, with the exceptions of statutory holidays. Lunch and and any special ac- must be provided. You must also provide sunscreen, proper tivities planned for the day. footwear, weather appropriate clothes, and hat each day. Please call when you know you will be late or to cancel. You can sign up for the whole week or just individual days, but

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Withdrawal or Discharge from Pro- Summer in Newfoundland gram can be short so we need to The summer program does reserve take advantage of all the the right to discharge children when fun outdoor activities in every attempt has been made by the Gander while we can! I program to address an ongoing prob- have listed some fun loca- lem without success. tions to check out as well Steps taken prior to discharge include: as Summer Camps & Pro- Staff will use redirection techniques grams that are available. when dealing with a conflict, parents Have fun and welcome to will be informed. A meeting will be ar- Gander! ranged between Parents, Program Coordinator and Supervisor. Should all  Splash Pad: The corner of Elizabeth Drive & Memorial Drive attempts to alter behaviour being ad-  Playgrounds: Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park, Elizabeth Drive & Memorial dressed not be successful, a written Drive notice of discharge will be presented to  Walking Trails: Thomas Howe Demonstration Forest, Cobb’s Pond the child’s parent. Rotary Park  Museum: North Atlantic Aviation Museum Before and After  Pools: Joseph R. Smallwood Arts & Culture Centre, 9 Wing Base School Program Pool  Bowling Alley: Andy’s Alley’s 34 Fraser Drive The 9 Wing/GMFRC before and after  Gander Dog Park: Located next to program provides childcare in a safe Cobb’s Pond and secure environment. We follow the school year calendar, when there are Summer Events professional development days, kinder start or school cancellation we step in  Canada Day Celebrations: July 2nd at and provide full day childcare for those Cobb’s Pond (Games, Food & Entertain- who need it. The program runs from ment) Sept to June, from 7:00 am till 5:00 pm  Festival of Flight: August 1-5th Monday to Friday. Please call the (Locations Vary) August 5th- Fireworks GMFRC for further information at 256- display at dusk at Cobb’s Pond 1703 ext. 1206. Summer Camps/Programs Watch for upcoming Fall fun events  Gander MFRC: July 2-August 24, Monday-Friday, 7:10 am-5:00 pm $20.00/Day, call 256-1703 loc.1206 to register. Gym and swim  Boys & Girls Club: July 2-August 23, Monday-Friday, 7:30 am-5:30 pm Adventure at Thomas Howe $25.00/Day, call 256-7803. Babysitting course  ProTek Goaltending Camp: August 26-August 30. The Gander Commu- Family farm trip nity Arena. To register, call Jack Lee 743-0707 Gym time  Salvation Army Twin Ponds Music Camp: July 13 to July 20. Ages 8- Bowling 18, August 3-August 10 (Ages 10-19) Email kris- Halloween party [email protected] or call 579-2022. Teen Bus trip to St John’s  Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park Summer Program: July 3-August 16 Regis- Christmas craft ter at the Steele Community Center Admin Office or call 651-5927 with Visa/MC 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Cost: $6.00  Xheight Zone: July 2-August 30th, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Ages 5-12, $35.00/day.

Remember our lending library has an array of camping supplies and many other items that you can rent for a small fee. If you would like more infor- mation, please contact Kellie Synyard by calling 256-1703 loc.1148 or [email protected]

Page 7 Summer 2019 Pour recevoir la version française de l’Alliance, contactez la coordinatrice à l’information au poste 1147

Lessons About Food and Eating… What ended up happening is that I got trol. A lot of the time when we’re anx- From An Unfinished Tart to the coffee shop, chose a butter tart ious or afraid about what we’re eating, From abbylangernutrition.com and a tea, and ate what I wanted from it comes from a place of wanting to What do you see when you look at the the tart. I thoroughly enjoyed it, be- control how we look and feel. But like photo below? cause butter tarts are delicious (highly everything in life, those things can’t recommend you try one if you haven’t). always be controlled, and the more After I had about half, I wasn’t into it you try, the more exhausted, frustrat- anymore. In the past, I would have eat- ed, and unhappy you’re likely to be. en the rest just to eat it. Not today. To- I finally realized that wanting so badly day I went to the coffee shop 100% to be in control was creating the oppo- prepared to eat the entire tart. If I had, I site effect: I was less in control than would have enjoyed it and gotten over ever. it pretty quickly. Once I gave up some of that control, I That’s a far cry from when I was young- was much happier. To my surprise, er and making useless food rules and nothing bad happened, but something punishing myself for my eating hab- good did: my life wasn’t disrupted all its. day by thoughts of what I could and I know lots of you are where I used to couldn’t eat, what I wanted to eat, be. You’re afraid – you actually feel a what I was going to eat, what I had great deal of fear and anxiety – when eaten, omg you get the picture. you see something you’re conflicted It’s a lesson that some feelings never about eating. You want it so badly, but really go away, and that’s okay. Why am I taking pictures of my unfin- you think it’s going to lead to guilt, These old feelings bubble up at times, ished food? shame, and a huge loss of control over and you just need to let it ride. It’s Because we need to talk about what what else you eat. You think it’s going good to ask yourself some questions this butter tart represents. to affect your weight and how you feel when this happens. Like, what am I Up until fairly recently, I probably about yourself. feeling? Is what I’m feeling rational, would not have ordered the butter tart, Those feelings are so horrible. I feel realistic, and true, or am I spinning because butter tarts are unhealthy. I you, because I’ve felt them. stories? What happens if I do what I’m would have either not met my husband The good news is that although it’s a afraid of? What happens if I don’t? at the coffee shop because BUTTER process, it’s possible to extricate your- How are these feelings helping me? TARTS, or I would have gone and self from this place and go on to have a How are they hurting me? stared at the butter tart through the calmer and happier relationship with It’s a lesson that feeling bad, guilty, or display case, wishing I could have it. food and eating. having an all-or-nothing attitude to- If by chance I did end up ordering the And so my friends, this half-eaten but- wards food and eating almost always butter tart, I would have eaten the en- ter tart is a lesson. has an unhappy ending. Many people tire thing in less than 10 seconds, then It’s a lesson on the importance of un- – as I did – feel as though guilt and gone home and eaten more sweets. derstanding what it is you’re feeling. In shame around food protects them My line of thinking with that was al- days past, I never gave myself the ben- from overeating or eating unhealthy ways, “I’ve already broken the seal on efit of the doubt by believing that I things, but in reality you gain nothing sweets today, so why the hell not eat could actually eat without either over or from it in the end. It’s time wasted more until my stomach hurts? under eating. It was always one or the that’s better spent living your best life! Yes, I’m a dietician. And yes, dieti- other, sort of like the person who’s ei- It’s a lesson to eat the butter tart and cians have struggles with food and ther ON a diet, or OFF one. Once I re- enjoy it. eating too. alized that my body would realistically When you truly allow yourself to see Today on my way to the coffee shop, I never want to overeat every single day, food not only as nourishment, but also was craving something sweet. I then and that doing it once in a while for as a source of pleasure, fun, and started to feel trepidation from years whatever reason is normal, I started to beauty, it’s such a good feeling. Life is ago sneaking in, telling me that if I or- relax. When I really thought about it too short to ignore the social and dered something like this butter tart, it back then, I felt sad that I couldn’t trust emotional costs of restrictive diets and would trigger a cascade of eating like it myself when I had never really given a negative relationship with food and used to. Can you imagine that after all myself all that much of a chance. Slow- eating. Eat the tart. this time, with everything I know about ly, I started to loosen my grip. Nothing myself and my body, I’d still have bad happened. these thoughts? The feeling of trepidation also came from my old impulse to remain in con-

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Initiatives launched to not enough. We must nurture an will distribute a “tool box” through the environment where the RCAF’s chain of command for leaders at all retain and increase quality of life and quality of service levels to use. We will also set up an RCAF personnel experi- make it more attractive for our intranet page that will keep you up to ence levels members to stay than to leave. date on the progress of all our initia- tives. In the meantime, I encourage

The challenge is complex, howev- you to read the upcoming edition of From Lieutenant-General Al er, and will require equally complex PERSpectives (http://rcaf.mil.ca/en/d- Meinzinger solutions. We are already working air-pers-strat/perspectives/rcaf- Commander of the Royal Canadian on several solutions to alleviate our perspectives.page), which contains a Air Force situation. We will implement some more detailed account of our planned

of them quickly but others, I want to way ahead. Quality of Life — Quality of Ser- be clear, may take up to five to sev- vice en years to put in place. As we work to ensure the RCAF re-

mains an effective provider of air and The Chief of the Defence Staff re- We’re already seeing progress on space power for the Canadian Armed cently launched “Operation EXPE- the establishment of a new Air Op- Forces and the Government of Cana- RIENCE”, which directs the Canadi- erations Support Technician occu- da, I encourage you to become in- an Armed Forces to implement im- pation (Reserve Force) that will formed, do your part and always mediate actions to stabilize and augment force protection capabili- keep in mind the words of our motto: rapidly increase levels of pilot expe- ties and provide support to aircraft Such is the pathway to the stars – rience. These actions are nested maintenance and search and res- Sic Itur Ad Astra. within a broader RCAF campaign cue activities. This will allow highly plan, “Operation TALENT”, which qualified Aviation and Search and focuses on the quality of life and Rescue Technicians to focus on CAPTION quality of service of all our person- their primary functions. We will nel and their families. It addresses, begin accepting in particular, the intake, training, applications to absorption and employment of our this occupation members. this summer. Planning is also Although these two directives have under way to es- been published separately, be as- tablish an Air Op- sured that they address two aspects erations Officer of a single challenge and we will occupation implement measures arising from (Regular Force) both in a seamless, mutually com- that will focus on plementary and holistic manner. non-flying activi- ties, thereby re- Together, these initiatives are vital turning more air- in face of an unprecedented level of crew to the flight global competition for the skills of lines. More imme- pilots, technicians, highly trained diate actions in- aviation specialists and support per- clude adjusting sonnel. We are at risk of losing the the restricted re- depth of experience that our more lease policy and senior personnel possess and, thus, increasing the length of first flying The Royal Canadian Air Force has the ability to mentor, train and trans- tours to a minimum of four years. launched initiatives to retain and in- fer knowledge to our newer aviators Additional initiatives are outlined in crease the levels of its personnel’s and bring them to an operationally our Fact Sheet (www.rcaf- experience to ensure the RCAF’s effective level. arc.forces.gc.ca/en/index.page). continuing health and ability to

achieve mission success. MON- Without action to stabilize our levels TAGE: Corporal Desirée Thomas- of experienced personnel, the You will be able to learn more Bourdon RCAF’s operational output will be about both operations at future further impacted. Increasing our town halls in your locations, and we intake and our training capacity is

Page 9 Summer 2019 Pour recevoir la version française de l’Alliance, contactez la coordinatrice à l’information au poste 1147

A comments section has been inserted in this edition of the Alliance. Please feel free to let us know what your opinion is on the different services and programs provided by the GMFRC. Your feedback helps us to identify your needs as a community and to evaluate our programs and services in order to better serve you. Feel free to return your comments to us by mail, fax, email or by dropping them off at the Centre.

My Comments:

Mail to: Gander MFRC P.O. Box 6000 Gander, NL A1V 1X1

Mailing Address Gander Military Family Resource Centre The Views and opinions expressed herein are P.O. Box 6000 those of contributors and do not necessarily reflect Gander, Newfoundland, the views of the Department of National Defence, A1V 1X1 the Base Commander, or the GMFRC Executive Phone: (709) 256-1703 loc. 1206 / 1274 Director. The Editor reserves the right to edit copy Fax: (709) 256-1771 to suit the aims of this publication as directed by Email: [email protected] the GMFRC Executive Director.

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