Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada)
RCAF HALIFAX LW170 Recovery
(424 Squadron)
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Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada)
RCAF HALIFAX LW170 Recovery (424 Squadron)
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LW170 Recovery Phase I
Progress Reports
Halifax 57 Rescue
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Progress Report No.19 June 28, 2007 Registered Charity 84586 5740 RR0001
These are exciting times for all our directors, members, and supporters who have remained keen and loyal to our great quest to find and recover RCAF Halifax LW170 from Irish waters, where she has lain for almost 62 years. It has been almost 3 years since we started this quest and after much hard work and dedication we are finally seeing results which I believe will lead to success in our historic mission.
Why would we be so determined and unwavering in these endeavors? Why would we be seeking this bomber aircraft in the Irish deep? Because it is indeed the rarest and most prominent of all our swords of Freedom of our fathers, our grandfathers, our uncles, and the best of a Canadian generation and their comrades who flew, fought, and sacrificed for all of us.
This RCAF aircraft they call the Halifax was built with tireless and expert British hands and given to us to carry on the battle with them. And as they fought (the Canadians, British, Americans, and Irish who were the bomber crews of the RCAF) they became a part of our history of all our nations.
With the new knowledge of the sacrifice of our British, American, and Irish comrades in the RCAF we now know just how great an international symbol of Freedom this Halifax has become to all of us.
“Press on regardless…” and keep your eyes on the target.
On to business, these are the Hali-facts:
In Progress Report Number 18 there was an urgent appeal sent out to all members and supporters of the Halifax Project for the vital funds needed to cover the sonar survey costs which were for the lease/rental of the side-scan sonar system. This was a very timely and important appeal from yours truly, the Project Manager, as I made a judgement call that we must be ready to cover our share of the financial costs of the Halifax sonar survey BEFORE we went further in negotiations and preparations with the Irish deep sea exploration group. In principle they have agreed to help us find LW170 but we must work all the details before we proceed on our sonar expedition.
I am very pleased to announce that a number of people came through in our time of need and well over $10,000 was donated by a number of stalwart supporters. Further to this, the son of a decorated Halifax pilot contacted me and has agreed to cover a major portion of the outstanding balance needed. We still need your support as you know that in any important operation we could have contingencies and financial changes could occur.
If there are any “fence-sitters” out there who wonder whether they should get involved now is your chance as you are going to become part of a great adventure and I urge you not to miss out. We really do need your help in topping up our sonar survey fund to cover all contingencies of such a technical quest. Remember, we can issue tax deductible receipts for all donations to us for this worthy cause as we are a registered charity. I urge you to stand up and be counted NOW as this is the key turning point for the success of the Halifax Project !!
The timing of all these events was most fortuitous for no sooner had the funding drive for the project taken place when we were able to schedule a meeting with key officials of our exploration group in Ireland and myself on June 25 and 26 in Galway, Ireland. I was most reassured that the sonar fund was building up so well, as I went into this meeting with the ability to say that we were ready to cover our end of the fixed costs of the Halifax sonar survey. Much progress and “brainstorming” was done at this meeting for the Halifax Project.
While visiting Galway I was able to mingle with the very friendly Irish people and get a feel for this great little city by the sea with so much history. I was most fortunate to be able to see the research ship of our Irish research group in the harbour as she returned from one of her many research cruises. To say it is top of the line is certainly an understatement as it is one of the best equipped and maintained research vessels in western Europe. We are very pleased that we will receive the services of this ship for the Halifax Project. Please see a photo of the ship below and note the size of the ship compared with the size of the car parked just to the left on the dock.
As I stated earlier I will be meeting again with the Irish officials on July 24 while flying one of my Air Canada flights to Dublin to further fine tune and organize the plans for the sonar survey of Halifax LW170. According to the ship’s schedule this summer and autumn we have possibly 3 windows of time to do the Halifax sonar survey. There could be restrictions which are based on adding the Halifax sonar survey onto the regular science surveys which have already been scheduled for the year. The survey could be in August, September, or later in the fall so we have much to do before we go out on the water. I will certainly have more information for you after July 24 when I return from Ireland. These are exciting times for all of us !
There are 2 big events comings up at the Nanton Lancaster Museum in July and August that I must remind you about so that you do not miss them. The first is the annual Fly-In on Saturday, July 7 at the AJ Flying Ranch just north of Nanton. It is a great fun event and we do hope the weather will cooperate. Several Museum events will take place in conjunction with the Fly-In so please drop in to see all that is happening.
Also, the Nanton Museum is planning their annual memorial event this year on Saturday August 25. Every year the museum honours and spotlights a special group and this year we are honouring the RCAF Americans in our ceremonies. Please see the special descriptions of the Fly-In and August 25 memorial ceremonies on Nanton’s website at www.lancastermuseum.ca These ceremonies and activities are a great all-day affair for the whole family that you should not miss as Nanton truly is Canada’s Bomber Command Memorial.
Please note that Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) has an address change so mark this down for sending in donations and support for the Halifax Project. We are offering a western and eastern Canada address for your convenience along with the correct phone numbers to contact us. Here they are:
Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) P.O. Box 606 Unit 31C – 174 Colonnade Road Nanton, AB Ottawa, ON T0L 1R0 K2E 7J5 Phone 403 - 603 - 8592 Phone 613 – 863 – 1942 Or 613 – 226 – 4884
The email is the same : 57rescuecanada@rogers.com Official website : www.57rescuecanada.com
Word is certainly getting around of the substantial progress we are making for the success of the Halifax Project. The preparations must be thorough and comprehensive to do the best we can to find our Halifax and bring her home. We have the makings of a most historic Canadian quest that has true and great international connections right around the world.
Please remain resolute and determined with us in our mission as we need your vital support to make the Halifax Project a total success.
Keep your eyes on the target.
Sincerely, Karl Kjarsgaard Project Manager Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) Registered Charity : 84586 5740 RR 0001
www.57rescuecanada.com Phone - Eastern Canada 613-863-1942 613-226-4884 email: 57rescuecanada@rogers.com Western Canada 403-603-8592
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