Roberta Bondar studies the
human body in space

Story by Sharon Adams

On Jan. 22, 1992, Roberta Bondar became the first neurologist—and coincidentally, Canada’s first woman—in space, joining the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery on an eight-day mission.

While orbiting, she and the other astronauts conducted more than 40 experiments in the Spacelab on the first International Microgravity Laboratory mission, working 12-hour shifts to get all the work done in time.

They studied eye motion, the inner ear, energy expenditure during spaceflight, changes in balance and the after-effects of space flight.

READ MORE

Mathematicians calculate alternative
Battle of Britain scenarios

Story by Stephen J. Thorne

A new study says German leader Adolf Hitler would have won the Battle of Britain in the Second World War had he started three weeks earlier and focused on airfields rather than shifting his bombing campaign to London and other cities.

Using a computer model, six mathematicians at the University of York in England have recalculated the likelihood of a Nazi victory in Britain’s defining battle of the war.

READ MORE

January 23, 1953

Flight Lieutenant Ernie Glover receives the first peacetime
Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to RCAF personnel.

READ MORE

For better or worse,
Canada had to step up in Afghanistan

Story and photography by Stephen J. Thorne

Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan was not simply knee-jerk acquiescence to the elephant next door. Twenty-six Canadian civilians were among the 2,977 people killed on 9/11. Reason enough to hit back at the people and resources behind the al-Qaida terrorists who planned and engineered the attacks. Afghan Taliban and opium poppies were those people and resources.

Almost two decades later, neither objective has been achieved. The Taliban has not been eliminated and the poppy industry has not been eradicated.

READ MORE

The big raid

Story by Sharon Adams

Early in the First World War, the Allies used trench raids to keep the Germans nervous, the constant harassment eating away at their morale, while keeping their own troops sharp between battles.

The Canadian Corps had learned a lot since their first raid in 1915, and by 1917, were the acknowledged masters of the art. Trench raids were a key component in preparation for the coming assault on Vimy Ridge.

A massive raid involving 860 specially trained troops was planned for mid-January 1917 on the German trenches near Calonne, France, northwest of Vimy Ridge.

READ MORE

January 17, 1991

Operation Desert Storm is launched against Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait.

READ MORE

IRIS is proud to provide exclusive vision care benefits
to members of The Royal Canadian Legion.

To register visit iris.ca/benefits or call 1-800-663-3937 ext 224