February’s monthly meeting was followed with a workday helping the McChord AFB Museum with some cleaning of the C-124 and the C-141B aircraft.  Mold fungus builds up in the interior area of the C-124 and requires scrubbing with a bleach solution to keep it under control.  The regular volunteers who support the museum needed help and the Northwest Chapter responded with three work days scheduled throughout the year. 

This first workday was a huge success with over 20 loadmasters (11 Active Duty 7AS and 10 AS, 1 Reserve 313AS) and was finished in only 2 ½ hours.  Loadmasters vacuumed the C-141B and dusted the displays.  The C-124 was much more involved as all the walls and ceiling needed scrubbing along with moping floors.  Great fellowship took place when Bill Cannon and Harold Edvalds had to the opportunity to instruct loadmasters on how to lower and then raise the auxiliary floor.  Harold stated “Old Shaky checkout is almost complete as soon and they figure out the doors and ramp.”  Many stories flowed both ways during the day. 

The second workday was completed on Friday the 20^th of April.  The turn out for this event was just as successful as the first one with about 20 loadmasters making the event.  Great support from the active duty and reserves even with a mandatory “Wing wide Fun Run” conflicting at the same time.  Marion Cannon stopped by to do a “no-notice inspection” as Bill was out of town and I think we got a Q-1.  The highlight was when Levi Ware and Harold Edvalds downloaded a B-4 stand through the elevator well of the aircraft.  Levi handled the controls like an old pro as he moved the stand within a half inch of the elevator shaft.  A young loadmaster stated “This looks like a Q-3 waiting to happen”. 

The airplanes are ready for display during Rodeo 2007 and the 10 year PLA anniversary picnic on 27 July 2007.  The next workday is scheduled for 13 October 2007 following our monthly meeting.  During this event we hope to schedule a C-17 static to load a B-4 stand, and then load the stand in the C-124 again to see how time and technology have changed the loadmaster business.  Put this on your calendar to come out and give us a hand to preserve history.  By the October meeting the C-130 should also be on display at the museum.     

Reminder: The Northwest Chapter meets the second Saturday of the month at the Club on McChord AFB at 9 am for breakfast and the meeting starts at 10 am.  Story and photos by Ron Pierce, PLA, Northwest Chapter, Vice President

  Northwest Chapter Report

The Northwest Chapter is humming along with it’s preparations for the up coming AIRLIFT RODEO 2007; We have had very energetic work parties twice at the McChord Air Museum,s C124 and C141 aircraft, getting them spiffed up for the event. Plans for the PLA booth at the RODEO Hanger have been finalized, where our teams will explain what the PLA is all about, and hopefully recruit some new members. Additionally, the chapter is in the final stage of planning the 10^th Anniversary PLA Picnic/Dinner to be held at Holiday Park on 27 July 2007 at 1800 hrs –2200hrs. All Loadmasters are welcome to this event, where we certainly intend to show them great comradeship, as well as supply good food and drinks for their enjoyment.

 We made our annual Memorial Day trek to two local cemeteries in the Tacoma area, to recognize our fallen comrades of the Loadmaster Profession. The roster of deceased Loadmasters was read, and they were eulogized and prayed for. Bill and Marion Cannon went to Tahoma National Cemetery and placed a remembrance flag at the graves of those who are buried there. A flag and flowers were placed at the Loadmaster Plaza in memorial park.  I think it is also an appropriate time for us all to recognize our active duty Loadmasters who continually put themselves in harms way while performing their duties in dangerous places throughout the world fighting the war on terrorism; May they stay safe and accomplish their duties well with the professionalism inherent of all Loadmasters, past and present. That is it for now, be safe through the summer travel period, and come see us up here in the great Northwest where the sun shines (in July- August).

Vic Fredlund
NW Chapter President
victorfredlund@msn.com