AC-119 Gunship
Reunion Xl
"Next Stop Vietnam"

Fairfield, CA
Home of Travis AFB,
The "Gateway to SEA"

September 17-19, 2009

Reunion Page updated
March 3, 2010

Who's Came to Reunion X

Membership

Fairfield Coordinator
Wayne Laessig
(707) 592-4492
Qadvocate@sbcglobal.net

Our 2010 Reunion XI theme is “Next stop, Vietnam,” not because it was part of a popular song back them, but because almost all of us departed the states from Travis or McChord AFB.  It was where we transitioned from life in the states to life in SEA (Southeast Asia).  Most of us made that transition via Travis, located next to Fairfield, CA.

Our Reunion is in Fairfield, with our hotel centrally located between San Francisco, Sacramento, & Napa wine country.  It is a great location for things to include on the way to or from the reunion, or even during the reunion.  While California may be best known for its fruits & nuts, there IS a lot to see & do!  Read Wayne & Lynette Laessigs’ notes in upcoming newsletters for some added info about things to see & do, like:

   • Enroute from the north: Reno Casinos & shows, Lake Tahoe.

   • Enroute from the south: Yosemite, Monterey Bay.

   • Within an hour or two of Fairfield: Jelly Belly Factory Tours; San Francisco Bay; Golden Gate Bridge; Chinatown; Ghirardelli Square; Bay Ferry rides; Redwood groves; Old Sacramento; Railroad Museums; Budweiser Brewery; Travis AFB & McClellan Museums; & plenty of great wineries in Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Amador, & El Dorado counties.

Reunion Activities

We will hold our normal Friday night Meet & Greet; Saturday morning Membership Meeting with concurrent Ladies Meeting; Saturday Night Banquet; Sunday morning Golf Tournament; & Sunday afternoon Farewell BBQ.

Reunion Registration
Reunion registration & hotel registration are separate.

We will post the Reunion Registration Form shortly – as soon as we wrap up details on optional tours.

• Note there is a reunion registration fee of $20 per person.

Hotel Reservation

Hilton Garden Inn Fairfield
Call 1-707-426-6900 and **Be Sure to ask for the group rate for the AC-119 Gunship Association.

You can book to arrive as early as Sept 13th & stay as late as Sept 20th at the Reunion rate of $114.
To guarantee this rate, which includes free full buffet breakfasts, you need to make your hotel reservations no later than August 14th.  After that, we cannot guarantee room availability – please book a reservation before then.  You can cancel up to 24 hours prior to your arrival date, without incurring fees or cancellation charges.  To reserve a room, call them directly (NOT online) & request the AC-119 Gunship Association group rate.

Remember!  This is your hotel reservation only; you still need to register separately for the Reunion itself by mailing in your Reunion Registration – you’ll get the Reunion Registration form in the next Newsletter and we’ll put a link on the website soon.

• Our Reunion hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn Fairfield located just off Interstate 80 between San Francisco & Sacramento at 2200 Gateway Court, Fairfield CA 94533.

• Reunion Room Rates: $114 per night.  With tax, the final room rate is $127.68.  There are a few adjoining rooms (first come first served).  Our group rate includes two full buffet breakfasts per room each day, room WiFi, fridge, coffee/maker, microwave, & use of the pool & fitness center.

Airport Options

If you are flying to California, there are many options to get you near Fairfield, each with its own pros & cons.  Often, San Francisco has slightly better rates & Sacramento can be a little higher.  But, best rates are totally dependent on your airline choice & the deals you might find.

   • San Francisco (SFO) airport is 45 miles south of Fairfield.  Often, better rates.  If you go through SFO, you might want tio go over the Golden Gate Bridge, but expect to add 30-45 more minutes for the drive to Fairfield.  BUT, try not to book flight arrivals or departures during weekday bay area commute times (7:00 until 8:30 a.m. & 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.), when the normal 45 minute drive can take up to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

   • Oakland (OAK) airport is 45 miles south of Fairfield.  Sometimes, better rates.  Same as SFO, try not to book flight arrivals or departures on weekday bay area commute times (7:00 until 8:30 a.m. & 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.), when the normal 45 minute drive can take up to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

   • Sacramento (SMF) airport is 45 miles north of Fairfield.  Rates can be higher, but it’s the easiest to get to-from Fairfield.  Commute traffic is usually not a factor, with about a 45 minute drive to the hotel.

This Year's
Guest Presentation

The Air Force Band of the Golden West

At the moment we are requesting a short presentation by the Band of the Golden West.

Agenda

Wednesday, September 15th

6:00 p.m.: Hootch opens & will stay open through Sunday with snacks, wine, beer, sodas & water No Charge to reunion attendees.  There is plenty of space for your memorabilia & pictures, or to visit with friends.

Thursday – September 16th

12:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Winery & Poker Run
We’ll set up visits with 5 local wineries for free tasting, plus you pick a card from a poker deck at each.  At the last winery, there will be dinner & everyone gets to play their “best” poker hand from the cards they drew.  Highest hand wins 1st choice from a table of prizes; 2nd best hand gets next choice, etc.  This will be a “designated driver” event with car-pooling.  Pricing soon.

Friday – September 17th

9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.: San Francisco Tour 
We plan to charter a bus to get you there & back in time for the Meet & Greet.  You’ll cross the Bay Bridge & be within walking distance (or you can take the famous San Francisco Trolley) of Ghirardelli Square, the San Francisco Wharf, & historic Chinatown.  On the return trip you’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge with a quick stop at the overlook for pictures. 
Buses will leave the hotel approximately 9:00 a.m. & arrive back at the hotel approximately 5:30 p.m.  You’ll have about 6 hours in “the city.”  Pricing soon.

6:00 p.m.: Meet & Greet – in the hotel. 
$28 per person
Menu: Carved Beef Station, Swedish Meatballs, Chicken Wings, Cheeses, Garden Vegetable Trays, Mini-quiches, & fresh baked Cookies /Fudge Brownies
Dress: Party Suit or Casual.  Cash Bar

Saturday – September 18th

9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Membership Meeting with concurrent Ladies Meeting, both in the hotel

6:00 p.m. – Banquet Happy Hour in the hotel
Dress: we encourage Party Suits if you can still get into it.  If not, coat & tie.  Cash Bar.

7 p.m. – Banquet Dinner in the hotel, cost of $35 per person includes 2 bottles of wine per table.
Menu: Your choice of either

• Sliced Filet of beef w/Jack Daniels peppercorn sauce

• Chicken Picatta w/lemon & wine sauce

• Grilled Salmon w/orange soy sauce

8:00 p.m. – Air Force Band of the Golden West

8:20 p.m. – Association Awards & Raffles

Sunday – September 19th

9 a.m. – Golf Tournament (Location TBD) $10 per person. Green fees are separate.

5 p.m. – Farewell BBQ in the hotel, BBQ Brisket & Chicken with Baked Beans, cornbread, salad, cole slaw,& dessert. Cost of $30
Dress: Casual.  Cash Bar.

Questions?  Contact Wayne Laessig at (707) 592-4492 or Qadvocate@sbcglobal.net

See you in Fairfield!

Handy Links

Discover Fairfield on www.visitfairfieldca.com/This will give you the attractions, dining and other information on the area.

Need a Fairfield Weather forecast? View one at www.wunderground.com/US/CA/Fairfield.html

Want News about Fairfield Read
www.dailyrepublic.com/

Need a car rental or airline tickets? Visit
www.travelocity.com

Driving to Fairfield? See Google Maps for directions

Flying to Fairfield? See airport info above

Travis AFB www.travis.af.mil/

Travis AFB Famcamp