Civil Air Search and Rescue Association - Manitoba

Minot Air Force Base Northern Neighbors Day

August 14, 2004

This year Zone 2 (Brandon), with the support of CASARAMAN's executive, initiated its effort to work with the United States Civil Air Patrol. Our goals were threefold: 

• to exchange methods and techniques;
• to prepare a strategy for cross-border intervention, and
• to exchange and introduce our organization with our American counterparts

We were extremely fortunate to initiate the process with Major Justin Rice, USAF and Major Bill Kay Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and Major Derk Macpherson (CAP). Major Rice generously permitted us to land at the Airforce Base, setup our aircraft and booth for display and accommodate us.

Our team thoroughly enjoyed the exchange with thousands of inquiries from the general public. Major Rice's team was exceptional in providing us a superb welcome including invitation to the hanger party reunion of Minot's former F-106 Delta Dart Squadron.

F-106 Delta Dart

The Civilian Air Patrol exchange was tremendous. We learned of new techniques and methods, including the use of their system of radio relay trunking. By fall we expect to actually attend CAP's exercises, hopefully reciprocating with the US attending our's.

In addition to the superb international exchange, our team visited the B-17 from the Memphis Belle movie, met personally and witnessed General Reg Urschler and his "Gunfighter" of the Commemorative Airforce in a simulated dogfight with a Zero. We also seen many military aircraft including an F2G Super Corsair, a B-26 Mitchell, a T-38 Talon, a T-1, an A-10 Warthog, F-16 Falcon, F-15 Strike Eagle, B1B, B-52 Superfortress and many others.

Special thanks to Major Rice and his team and the Minot North Dakota Wing of Civil Air Patrol.

Contact the webmaster: airsar@casaraman.org