The Chapleau Search and Rescue Organization issued a call for new members in January 1993.
In an advertisement Mike Fortin and Reg Fletcher said the organization was looking for volunteers, explaining that it was "a group of people like you who want to make a difference. We have trained pilots, navigators, spotters, ground personnel and ground search people" but more members were needed.
The Chapleau association received financial assistance from the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge --- and perhaps other organizations.
The Chapleau association conducted training and searches.
Fast forward to January 25, 1998 "Tiger 320" associated with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) from 424 Squadron at Trenton, Ontario, arrived in Chapleau to assist with spotter training for Chapleau association members. They were in a C130 Hercules aircraft.
An article in the Chapleau Express said the purpose of the visit was two-fold -- to provide training for Chapleau members and to evaluate their performance.
Those participating included Leon Landry, Richard Beaudoin, Celine Hann, Christiane Jacques, A,J. Bowes, Paul Morin, Fern Gauthier and Raymond Gouge.
They departed Chapleau airport for the first target area at Leblanc Lake where Aaron Bouvier and Dale Rioux were ice fishing. They provided the searchers with a smoke signal fire and mirror signal flasher as they passed nearby to get their attention, according to the article.
The object of the spotter is to guide the pilot directly over the target so that visual observation of the site can be made.
Marius Demers had set up another site.
During this training flight all spotters underwent performance evaluation by the CASARA team on board.
The article also thanked William Yanta for his "quick job" in removing snow from the Chapleau Municipal Airport, now the Eugene Bernier Airport, without which the Hercules would have been unable to land.
Other examplse of training programs were in March 1993 when the Chapleau members underwent winter survival training and in 1999 when they participated in "Operation Northern Rescue".
I have provided a quick glimpse of the Chaoleau Search and Rescue Organization based on information compiled by the late Doug Greig. If anyone would like to provide me with more information on this important group, please feel free to email me at mj.morris@live.ca HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL!!!!
