(reprinted from the 7 February 2001 issue of , The Voxair)
17 Wing Ghost Sqn is here to save the day, or at least some vintage aircraft equipment. Reductions in manpower and money has made life a little tougher for all of us and has especially made it tough for 17 Wing to continue maintaining Air Force Heritage Park with existing resources.
Members of Ghost Squadron are all volunteers who, according to the Memorandum of Understanding between DND and the Air Force Association of Canada (AFAC), “have a willingness and desire to assist 17 Wing to complete non-operational projects.” Air Force Heritage Park is just such a project. The Squadron has been formed along the lines of an Airforce Squadron, with a CO, DCO, and various flights to handle specific projects. They have even come up with their own Squadron Badge! Ghost Squadron will operate out of Hangar 11 where they have a portion of the hangar floor and their own work and storage rooms to operate from.
The CO of the Sqn is Jack Bessey, the Heritage and Restoration Chairman of 500 (City of Winnipeg) Wing, AFAC. The DCO is Chris “Red” Nielsen, the Past President of 500 Wing. These two men along with Gerry Johnson and Harry Adamson make up the core group of Ghost Sqn volunteers and have key access to the Hangar. About a dozen other volunteers, including serving military, have worked with them on various occasions. Even though the core personnel are from 500 Wing, membership is open to any one over 18 with a desire to help out.
Ghost Squadron has already proven its worth to the Wing by completing repairs on the Kiowa and undertaking the necessary but somewhat messy job of washing the displays in Heritage Park. It is currently working on several other projects, including the restoration of the Carberry Wind Tee and the recently retired Helicopter Instrument Procedures Trainer from 3 CFFTS. Wing Heritage has other projects in store for them, including the restoration of an Anson Mark V cockpit for display at air shows and open houses. The dedication of these gentlemen and their group of volunteers is nothing short of amazing.
They are always ready to help out and continually looking for new projects that will help preserve or promote our Air Force Heritage. I encourage other units that have projects in mind to contact me so that this valuable resource is fully utilized.
