IRON GATE CHAPTER LUNCHEON NOTICE

Date: Thursday, 15 July 2010

Time: 11:30 A.M. – Reception; 12:15 P.M. Luncheon, Attire; Jacket and Tie

Place: ‘21’ Club, 21 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019 Tel 212-582-7200

Featured Speaker: Colonel Michael F. Canders

President’s Message: We’re especially privileged to have Colonel Mike Canders speak at our July 15th luncheon. He will give us a first-hand report on his experiences as Commander of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group and Commander of Sather Air Base, the main U.S. base in Baghdad, Iraq, from where he has just returned, his fifth deployment to the Middle East. He was the Senior Airfield Authority, responsible for all airfield and aerial port operations, Baghdad’s largest passenger operation, the “Gateway to Iraq.” As Commander of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group at the Base, he was responsible for the security and safety of over 1,500 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, and the thousands of US military travelers who pass through their gateway each week. The 447th Air Expeditionary Group consisted of seven squadrons and group staff agencies. He was the lead for the transition of the Base back to the Iraqi Air Force by the end of 2011, and had the opportunity to work with Iraqi counterparts at the adjoining new Al Muthana Air Base.

We wish to celebrate this milestone in history with a special home-coming reception for Colonel Canders and his wife Mary, and express our appreciation for their personal sacrifices. We can expect a full house of Iron Gate folks anxious to hear about this historic milestone taking place, the transition of control to the Iraqi people, the triumph of Freedom over Tyranny, thought by many to be impossible two years ago. We look forward to a very interesting presentation on the status of an area that was so recently a fierce battle zone of combat and is now being prepared for hand-over to the Iraqi people. This is a great tribute to the leadership of our military forces.

Colonel Canders was our speaker in 2006, when he told us about the 106th Rescue Wing’s mission, and how the courageous crews of the big HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130G Hercules team up for a wide range of operations, from combat rescues in Iraq and Afghanistan, to human-itarian missions. Since the Jolly Green Giants of Vietnam fame, the 106th has advanced the rescue mission capability to what was once only a dream of our fighting forces. The 106th was at Patrick AFB, FL on May 14th to provide rescue coverage for launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, their 107th such mission. We’re very proud of our New York Air National Guard and their partnership with the U.S. Air Force, in sharing overseas deployments, per the Total Force Concept. The 102nd Rescue Squadron of the 106th Wing is our nation’s oldest Air National Guard unit.

Frank Hayes