Welcome to the NEW NOASARA. As you may know we have had many, many changes here at NOASARA. As our President has said time and time again, "Let's put the FUN back into our unit"....and that's exactly what we are doing!

New Changes… For starters we have new appointments to announce as well as the resignation of our long time Unit Director and Treasurer, Lori Luck due to medical reasons. Hats go off to Lori for her many, many years of dedicated service in doing these jobs and keeping our unit glued together and functioning. Lori will remain as a Spotter and has been instrumental in passing on the knowledge to the new crew. She is a valuable resource and we look forward to seeing at the hanger helping us out. It's going to take three people to replace her efforts as most people sadly don't realize how much work this was.

New Appointments... Firstly, Jay Minor our President has stepped up as the new Unit Director. Secondly, Clark Blumberg has stepped into the Deputy Unit Directors position and lastly, Marilyn Seitz has volunteered to sit on the Board and be our Treasurer. Marilyn has done a great job keeping things on track and we are very lucky to have her. Please everyone; let's all chip in to give her all the support possible to help in her new position.

New Attitude... As most of you know, I have been the chair at the last couple Board meetings and we have established our mandate to start and finish the meetings on time. As your meeting chair, I’ve set a strict time limit on items in order to stop the habit of long-winded run-ons about the same topic; so, less bickering. We record the point at hand and move on. Action items are assigned and additional discussion if required will take place outside of the meeting room with only the appropriate people involved. That way the others don't have to die of boredom hearing it over and over again. Therefore, we invite you to come out with a positive attitude to our next meeting and get involved!

New Training Schedule...Under the careful direction of Jason Hughes, are new Training Officer, a fantastic effort has been made breathing new life into training. Check our training schedule on line at the unit’s calendar of events. Jason can tell you how our training has increased and that June 05 was our biggest month in recent history. I recall that on one SIMSAR that month we had three aircraft involved at once. I don't think we've had that many airplanes all clamoring to the skies since the Battle of Britain! Good Job, Jason!

New Initiatives... Mark your calendar for our upcoming wings parade (September 22^nd) and unit open house (October 1^st). It's time to give credit where credit is due and reward those fearless members that have ventured up into the wild blue yonder so that others may live...so come on out to the wings parade and support your fellow SAR brothers & sisters who have qualified. We will also be handing out service pins to those who are in attendance. Also, pass the word regarding our open house in order that it's a big success getting the word out about NOASARA and getting more people involved!

New Shinny Look... Show your PRIDE! We have seen more and more of you in flight suites and we encourage our members to dress up and look the part. We have CASARA and NOASARA patches and Lori is taking orders for Herc and Cormorant nametag patches. Let's show people who we are!

New Fun... Moral has been on the rise and people are getting together outside of the hanger to participate in other activities. There is talk about golf and fishing excursions. This July, NOASARA members flew down to Oshkosh and participated in the EAA AirVenture by proudly showing Jay Minor's vintage 1965 Piper Cherokee in the vintage and classic portion of the show. Participants at Oshkosh included Howard, Jason and Clark.    

New Page.... so let's all turn the page and carry on with the FUN by putting our best foot forward this September.

Sincerely,

Clark. Blumberg

Deputy Unit Director

- Unit Director Jay Minor

A recent change in CASARA paperwork has resulted in a consolidation of required forms. No more will you have to re-enter information. Only 3 forms are required to be submitted on a typical exercise. The only catch is that you will have to learn the new system.

Remember to submit the Daily Sign In Sheet (Form X100) with your claim. If there is any confusion with the required forms please refer to the paperwork board in the nav room. Practice will make perfect in an actual SAR.

Our unit website is being kept up-to-date with activities, pictures and news. Everyone is highly encouraged to log on at: http://my.tbaytel.net/noasara/

Help NOASARA save some money by receiving your newsletter by email. Send us an email at: noasara@tbaytel.net indicating that you would be comfortable with email.

If you have any stories or pictures that you would like posted on the website send them to Peter Huneau at: plhuneau@tbaytel.net

SAREX 2005-02 started on June 18, 2005 at 1215 Zulu (0815 local) with a briefing on the air and ground tasking. A total of two ELTs were activated as a full training exercise in the Hazelwood Lake area and Eaglehead Lake area. The morning air team consisting of Reg Lake, Donald Barnard, Marilyn Seitz, and Brendon Korhonen were tasked in a Cessna 182 C-GUNJ to the Eaglehead Lake area in search of an actual aircraft crash wreckage and ELT. The morning ground team consisting of Ed Tulin Sr. and Jason Hamer were tasked to the Hazelwood Lake area in search of an ELT signal with no further material information.

Both crews were successful in locating the objects. The air team found the aircraft wreckage and a weak ELT signal. The ground team found the ELT on a boat on Hazelwood Lake with veteran CASARA member Gerry Bell. Gerry indicated to the team that the fish were not biting.

The afternoon started with a briefing at 1615 Zulu (1215 local). An air team was tasked to locate an ELT signal in the Hazelwood lake area. The air team consisted of Clark Blumberg, Mitz Bandiera, and Ken Lagg in a Cessna 172 C-GWIU. The team located the ELT as a ground target consisting of a boat and fisherman.

Overall, the SAREX was a good training experience and a good time was had by all. Great job crews!

Members who have made a commitment to attend a training exercise and cannot attend must call the coordinator (before the exercise) or the hanger (577-4329) (on the day of the exercise). The sooner the better.

All members must remember to sign in & out.

All participants must not leave the hanger before crews are properly debriefed. Please plan your time accordingly.

Navigators must remember to calculate their BINGO and SAR time in HRS and MINS in their nav preparation. On taxi, call BASE (131.25) and provide base with your BINGO and SAR time in Zulu.

Crews are reminded to call CASARA Base on the half hour and hour to provide location and status.

First Aid Training will take place on December 3 & 4 with the Red Cross. The cost and times will be announced. NOASARA will reimburse 75% of the cost after the course is completed. This course is for new or expired licenses. A course will be held in the new year for recurrency. Call Jason Hughes @ 623-1219 to book your spot.

Next SAREX will take place October 15^th at 0800 hrs. We hope to see all NOASARA members out.