The Canadian Armed Forces search and rescue community is used to getting called on in a moment’s notice to assist law enforcement. Even a routine training flight can take on the urgency of a rescue, as the following story from the perspective of then Officer Cadet, Victor Weston illustrates. This incident from 2007 was originally published as RCAF news article When Routine Training Operations Turn into Life-Saving Rescues, but is no less valid in 2020. Being able to adjust plans, and be available around the clock is the reality of a military SAR Tech.
La collectivité de recherche et de sauvetage des Forces armées canadiennes a l'habitude d'intervenir au pied levé afin de soutenir l’application de la loi. Même un vol ordinaire peut se transformer en mission de secours urgente, comme l’illustre l’article-témoignage suivant, écrit par l’élève-officier (aujourd’hui capitaine) Victor Weston et publié dans le site Web de l’ARC en 2007. Intitulé Lorsque des entraînements de routine se transforment en opérations de sauvetage, le texte décrit une situation qui pourrait très bien survenir aujourd’hui. Savoir adapter ses plans et être disponible à tout moment sont deux nécessités inhérentes au travail de technicien en SAR militaire.
The Canadian Armed Forces on September 3 received its readiness certification from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for Air Task Force — Romania, an enhanced air-policing mission under Operation REASSURANCE that officially began on September 5. During this mission, a detachment from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), consisting of approximately 135 personnel and six CF-18 Hornet fighter jets, will help secure the skies over Romania until December 2020.
“We were at the highest level of readiness that we would have been at since the Korean War.” If that seems a perplexing statement from the commander of an Air Force that at one point during the current pandemic had about 70 per cent of its members working from home, LGen Al Meinzinger has a sound explanation.
The Royal Canadian Air Force's attempts to capitalize on the layoffs that have ravaged Canada's commercial airline industry during the COVID-19 pandemic have had some early — albeit extremely limited — success. The military has for years been struggling with a shortage of experienced pilots that has led to something of an existential crisis for the Air Force, leaving severely strained commanders without enough veteran aviators to both train new recruits and lead missions in the air.
The Sept. 10 departure follows the first two jets leaving last week and returning to home base in Moose Jaw. The squadron had been grounded since the May 17 crash in Brocklehurst that killed Capt. Jennifer Casey and injured the pilot, Capt. Richard MacDougall.
As you are aware, the Federal and Provincial Governments have taken steps to limit the size of gatherings across Canada, in order to help combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. While some restrictions have been lifted, the Wing Commander and the Museum Board of Directors have decided that regrettably it is necessary to cancel this year’s Ad Astra Ceremony on the 26th of September, 2020.
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!
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