RCAF working toward new sniper pod placement on CF-188 Hornet

Skies 
In a two-by-three metre wind tunnel at the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) aerospace research centre in Ottawa, aerospace engineers are gathering data for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to validate the placement of the sniper pod on the centreline station of the CF-188 Hornet. READ MORE

Canadians and the legendary Dambusters Raid

Government of Canada
2018 marks the 75th anniversary of Operation Chastise, the legendary Dambusters Raid, which occurred on the night of 16/17 May, 1943. Seventy-five years ago, 19 Avro Lancaster bombers, with British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand crews, departed from England on a daring nighttime bombing mission code named “Operation Chastise.” Their goal was to strike river dams, with the result of disrupting water supplies and industrial production and diverting resources from other aspects of the German war effort.  READ MORE

Les Canadiens et le légendaire raid des Briseurs de barrages

Gouvernement du Canada
L’année 2018 marque le 75e anniversaire de l’opération Chastise, le légendaire raid des Briseurs de barrages, qui a eu lieu pendant la nuit du 16 au 17 mai 1943. Il y a soixante-quinze ans, 19 bombardiers Avro Lancaster et leurs équipages constitués d’aviateurs britanniques, canadiens, australiens et néo-zélandais décollaient d’Angleterre pour mener une audacieuse mission de bombardement nocturne baptisée « opération Chastise ». La mission visait à endommager des barrages afin de nuire à l’approvisionnement en eau et à la production industrielle allemande, de même qu’à détourner des ressources d’autres pans de l’effort de guerre allemand.LIRE PLUS

UN Command names Canadian to key post in South Korea for the first time

Globe and Mail 
A Canadian soldier has been appointed deputy commander at the United Nations Command in South Korea, a post that will place Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre at the centre of deliberations over the future of the Asian Peninsula. The United Nations Command is the multinational force that was created in response to North Korean aggression more than half a century ago and which defended South Korea during the Korean War.  READ MORE

‘People, Policy, Program and Posture’ will be the RCAF’s anchor points

Skies 
On May 4, 2018, LGen Al Meinzinger assumed command of the Royal Canadian Air Force from LGen Mike Hood, who has retired from the Canadian Armed Forces. Following are Meinzinger’s remarks from the change of command ceremony, held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa.  READ MORE

NORAD’s struggle for relevance on its 60th birthday

iPolitics 
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. On May 12, 1958, the United States and Canada, recognizing that it made more sense to defend the airspace of North America together rather than separately, signed the first NORAD agreement.  READ MORE

Aircraft used by Snowbirds aerobatic team, on the go since 1963, will be kept flying until 2030

National Post 
The 55-year-old planes used by the Canadian military’s iconic Snowbirds aerobatic team will be kept flying until 2030. Aircraft avionics will be modernized on the CT-114 Tutors to comply with upcoming aviation regulations and the life of the aircraft extended for another 12 years, according to April 2018 Royal Canadian Air Force documents obtained by Postmedia. The avionics upgrade is required if the planes are to continue flying in North American airspace. It is unclear at this point what other work will also be needed to be done on the aging aircraft. READ MORE

Biennial General Meeting

RCAF
Notice is hereby given, as required by the Constitution and By-Laws, that the 2nd Biennial General Meeting of the RCAF Association will be held in Calgary, Alberta, 12 to 14 October 2018, with convention headquarters located at the Hotel Arts as described below.  READ MORE

100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force now includes a third airshow — the Shuttleworth Collection’s ‘military pageant’

Ian Allan Travel 
On Aug. 17, 1917, South African General Jan Smuts presented a report to the British government’s War Council setting out his ideas on the future of air power. The report was duly approved and led to the formation of the world’s first air force being born on the April 1, 1918. The Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed by the amalgamation of the squadrons and military personnel of the British Army’s “Royal Flying Corps” (RFC) with the Royal Navy’s “Royal Naval Air Service” (RNAS).  READ MORE

Air Cadet League 2018 Campaign

RCAF 
Envisioned as Canada’s premier and world class youth development movement, the Air Cadet program seeks to encourage and enhance the development of well-adjusted, civic minded youth in undertaking leadership roles in a great Canada and a better world. The Air Cadet League of Canada’s mission is to promote Canadian youth to develop an interest in aviation and aerospace and to provide opportunities to engage in enriching program elements such as physical education, music and public speaking. Since 1941, the Air Cadet League of Canada has supported the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, both financially and through the efforts of our dedicated volunteers, to ensure that Canada’s Supporting Air Cadets makes a difference in the lives of young people. Let’s work together to make sure that every Cadet has the opportunities — donate today!  READ MORE

‘I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t been an Air Cadet’

Air Cadet League of Canada 
Were you an Air Cadet? The Air Cadet League wants to know where being an Air Cadet has taken you; join the Air Cadet Alumni and share your “Cadet Story” with us.  READ MORE