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2004 Cold Lake Airshow Report
Some Lloydminster hams joined the Cold Lake Amateur Radio Association in providing assistance with 4 Wing Cold Lake's 50th anniversary air show on July 17 and 18. The amateur radio group was tasked with responsibility for lost/found children and with providing assistance for elderly and handicapped visitors. Here's some of the story:
All the ham volunteers assembled for a briefing the night before the air show. They were told that the main concerns were security to deal with possible terrorist action, monitoring the crowd for medical emergencies, providing assistance to the elderly and handicapped and supplying reliable radio communications. The proposed organizational structure was carefully explained and diagrammed.
The amateur radio group set up headquarters for net control in a garage building in front of 1 Hangar. Net control was HP, VE6ZOE. The ham volunteers were assigned to various communication duties with the medical teams, the Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) teams, liaison with Airshow Central, general roving through the crowd and assisting senior and handicapped spectators.
The first day started for the ARES group at 7AM, checking through base security, being assigned to duties and getting familiar with the base geography. The weather was clear, hot and calm so as the crowds grew to over 36,000 people, so did the problems with overheating, dehydration and lost kids. The radio group were kept busy with medical, lost children and personnel co-ordination messages.
Some procedural changes were made by the military command personnel for the second day, but in retrospect, the original concepts carefully thought out by the Cold Lake ARES group seemed to work better. The crowd was considerably smaller at an estimated 15,000 and the weather was a bit cooler, so with the lessons learned from the first day, things went much more smoothly.
Well over 500 message exchanges were logged during the two day show. All amateurs reported having learned a lot about handling ad hoc communications under intense pressure in trying conditions.
Here is a quote from a memo received by our ARES co-ordinator, Bob Smith, VE6PIG, from his military contact: "Your crew was given an incredibly demanding task, in a stressful environment. They performed superbly. Thank you for your time and patience with us."
And some quotes from Bob's evaluation emails: "I had no problems with the Ham Operators at all and I could not, nor have I ever, worked with such experienced Radio Communicators. I was told by each and every one of the Med Techs that they thoroughly enjoyed working with them and they were always ready, willing, and able to assist but most of all - always promptly relayed any messages or other communication."
"All amateurs expressed that they had a good time and enjoyed the opportunity to provide their services. They thank Cold Lake for inviting them to this huge event and allowing them to participate."
Amateur radio operators participating were:
from Cold Lake and area: VA6BCS, VE5SAW, VE6s ARJ, BUF, DBA, DGD, DWH, JEK, JPG, LNA, MLE, PIG, VER & ZOE.
from Edmonton and area: VA6s BEN & SZ, VE6s AKY, GGG, IBY, SV, VB & XUK.
from Lloydminster area and North Battleford: VE5s ANN, FN, JGB, RAE, RSL, WI & VE6GRM
Here's some pictures of the event:
The Airshow From Google Maps
Hams
Airplanes on the Ground
Airplanes in the Air
Crowds
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