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CTV News
Canada will cease airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria by Feb. 22, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced recently.
The CF-18 fighter jets will be pulled from the mission, but one refuelling plane and two surveillance aircraft will continue to participate. Ottawa will also triple the size of what it calls the "train, advise and assist effort" in the region. Currently, 69 special forces trainers are assisting local troops on the ground.
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National Post
It was about -30 with the wind chill and the Arctic fox gambolling in the snow near the Top of the World Club on this U.S. air base in northern Greenland was blissfully unaware that a new variant of Washington's old enemy, Homo Sovieticus, is preparing five new nuclear missile regiments and building or rebuilding 17 Arctic bases on the far side on the North Pole.
But others are paying attention.
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Toronto Star
"Picture a curling rock on a skating rink."
Capt. Mike Strosack picks an aptly Canadian analogy to describe the challenge of landing all 220,445 kilograms of his CC-177 Globemaster III, a massive four-engine military transport, on the ice and snow-packed runway in Alert, an isolated outpost at the tip of Ellesmere Island.
At 240 kilometres per hour, no less.
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Globe and Mail
National Defence is embarking on an overhaul of its oft-maligned support units for ill and injured soldiers, The Canadian Press has learned.
The re-organization was one of three recommendations made in an internal review of the Joint Personnel Support Unit (JPSU) system, which was delivered last fall to the country's top commander, Gen. Jonathan Vance.
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Ottawa Citizen
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance mentioned very briefly during his opening remarks recently about the Liberal government's revamped Iraq mission that the Canadian military is looking at sending helicopters to Iraq.
"Options are being explored to enhance in-theatre tactical transport," Department of National Defence spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier confirmed to Defence Watch.
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Pembroke Daily Observer
The first cadre of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron flight engineers and pilots trained entirely on-site at the squadron's Garrison Petawawa headquarters recently graduated with their new wings and certificates.
"It's been a long road from fielding the aircraft all the way to delivering the first full course," says 450 squadron commanding officer Chris McKenna, who called the graduation ceremony a momentous and extremely important event in the life of the squadron.
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The Daily Beast
The U.S. Air Force is short hundreds of fighter jets. To make up the gap, the Pentagon has come up with a wild concept: Stuff hundreds of missiles into Cold War-era heavy bombers.
The next time America's high-tech jet fighters fly into battle against a major foe, they might have some serious back-up — heavy bombers, newly modified to haul potentially hundreds of missiles and fire them at the fighters' command.
The upgraded bombers have picked up a cool new name: "Arsenal planes."
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Air Cadet League of Canada
As part of our anniversary celebration, we have been reaching out to past Cadets to share with us where being an Air Cadet has taken them. Celebrate 75 years of Cadets in Canada by sharing your "Cadet Story."
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A reunion cruise has been set up, to reunite former serving members, civilian staff and dependents who had the great fortune to be part of #1 Air Division in Europe.
The cruise will be aboard the Holland America ship, MS Nieuw Amsterdam — a highly-rated and new ship in their fleet. We will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on April 10, 2016 — sailing through the Panama Canal on her way to Vancouver, B.C. The cruise length is 20 nights. The ports of call will be:
Cartagena, Columbia
Cruising Panama Canal
Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica
Corinto, Nicaragua
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Puerto Chiapas, Mexico
Huatulco, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
San Diego, California
Victoria, B.C.
Seattle, Washington
Vancouver, B.C.
As with all Panama Canal cruises — the ship will book up quickly — so the recommendation is to book soon to avoid disappointment. Already a core group are booked and ready to enjoy the companionship, the memories, wonderful weather, the ports and all the great amenities of life aboard a beautiful ship.
Visit our website!
Or, see us and join us on Facebook — #1 Air Division (Europe) Reunion — 2016
For further information, contact Gary Arnold — garnold@cruiseshipcenters.com
The Toronto Garrison Officers' Ball 2016 will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, 2016, at the Allstream Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. This annual event is the highlight of the Garrison's social season and it may be of interest to the membership of the RCAF Association. Subscription pricing ranges from $125.00 to $175.00 per person, and based on previous years, we sell out quickly. Please visit www.torontogarrisonball.ca for additional information.
On 5 May 1941, No. 406 Squadron RCAF was created at RAF Acklington. Now, 75 years later, the unit is still operational as part of the CH-124 Sea King community. To celebrate 406's long-standing and diverse history, a multi-day event will be held from Friday May 13th — Saturday May 14th, 2016, for all past and present members!
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403 Squadron
May 28, 2016 — Squadron Open House & Mixed Mess Dinner
May 29, 2016 — Brunch followed by a choice of several activities: Golf day in the Fredericton area, day trip to St. Andrews (including whale watching trip), or day trip to St. John.
More information will be added as details are finalized, but initial information is to help those travelling from afar. Please feel free to share with any former Wolf Pack members!
*Note: RSVPing for this event on Facebook does not constitute an official RSVP to the organizing committee.*
Please email 403sqn75thanniversary@gmail.com to officially RSVP.
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408 Goose Squadron Association
Come out and celebrate the 75th anniversary of 408 Squadron!
The 408 Goose Squadron Association is proud to celebrate the 75th Anniversary and Reunion of the formation of 408 Squadron on the weekend of June 24-26, 2016. Register now for the early-bird rate!
Click here to view the event poster.
Click here to learn more about the event.
Giv'er Miramichi
The New Brunswick Aviation Museum is hosting a reunion from July 8-10, 2016 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the opening of Royal Canadian Air Force Station/Canadian Forces Base Chatham. The reunion is open to anyone who ever worked or trained there from 1941 until 1996, including former military and civilian personnel and their families. The reunion is also open to anyone who served at St. Margaret's or Tracadie Air Range.
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Sabre Pilots Association of the Air Division Squadrons
Sept. 15-18, 2016
Delta City Centre Hotel, Ottawa
The Ottawa members of SPAADS look forward to, again, welcoming our fellow members as our guests to join us in your nation's capital for the 2016 reunion. Our SPAADS 2016 website has just been activated. Here you will find information helpful for you to register for the reunion, make your hotel reservations, and assist you with your stay here in Ottawa.
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Halifax International Security Forum
The Halifax International Security Forum announced recently that the 8th Halifax International Security Forum will take place from Nov. 18-20, 2016 in Halifax, N.S.
The annual Forum brings together democratic security leaders from more than 60 countries to address the most pressing international security challenges.
"As local communities deal with the consequences of global security threats, I am proud that Halifax provides an important venue for people with shared values to come together and build strategies for working more closely together," said Peter Van Praagh, President of the Halifax International Security Forum.
Invitations to the Nov. 18-20, 2016 Forum will be issued in the spring.
For more information about the Halifax International Security Forum, please contact info@halifaxtheforum.org.
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