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The first email arrived the morning of July 6, 2010, from Col. Frances Allen, indicating MacKay was at a location near Gander referred to as Burnt Rattle and that he had “a requirement for a helicopter airlift” on July 9, 2010.

“(MacKay) is currently at this location, but unexpectedly must be in London, ON for an announcement at noon on 9 July 10,” reads the email from Col. Frances Allen. “Thus he needs to be at Gander Airport to start his flight at 0800.”

Burnt Rattle has been identified as a remote, private fishing lodge on Newfoundland’s Gander River.

Allen asked if search-and-rescue personnel in the area would be able to pick up the minister, saying the alternative was a 90-minute boat ride and a 30-minute drive to get to the Gander airport.

“Landing area is 40 ft behind the camp and is approximately 50×50,” Allen added.

The note does not say why MacKay could not have left the day before to catch his flight, or why the two-hour alternative was unacceptable. Nor does it make any mention of a training or demonstration flight.

Rather, Allen’s email prompted a flurry of discussion among military officials in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Kingston and Newfoundland to see which search-and-rescue unit would be able to undertake the task. It was eventually decided that a Cormorant from Gander’s 103 Squadron would be tasked with the job.

“I am confident we will be able to accommodate on Fri morning. The weather looks good. Let’s just hope for a quiet SAR night,” reads one partially-blacked out email from a Major SC Reid of the Gander squadron, who added that MacKay “is fishing.”