RMC Wins US Sandhurst Military Skills Competition

By Steph Crosier, Kingston Whig-Standard

After hundreds of rounds fired and thousands of steps marched, the Royal Military College of Canada defeated 60 teams from 11 countries to win the United States Military Academy’s Sandhurst Military Skills Competition.

The event, which covered nearly 56 kilometres and more than 36 hours over the weekend, featured 13 stations including obstacle course navigation, functional fitness, raft paddling, a test of marksmanship and — of course — kilometres of rucksack marching. Officer Cadet Anton Humeniuk, second in command of the RMC team, said the final challenge included dragging an artillery piece, and other heavy kit, 400 metres through the centre of the West Point, N.Y., campus. A “gut check,” it was designed to push the teams to their absolute limits.

The Royal Military College of Canada competed and won the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, 2016. Photo courtesy of RMC

“Everyone was tired, you could see it on everyone’s face, everyone was exhausted,” Humeniuk said. “But we just kept pushing. We had to dig deep and find that little bit of extra energy to surge through right to the end …

“As soon as we were done, all the families and friends came and just swarmed us. Everyone was just really happy to be done.”

Making the six-hour trek to the southern New York military campus to watch and support the RMC team was Brig.-Gen. Sean Friday, commandant of RMC. He said he could not have been more proud. When the team crossed the finish line, it didn’t really matter to him if they had won.

“We knew that (the team) had given it their all,” Friday said. “They had fantastic composure … The leadership inside the team was really quite remarkable to watch over the two days. That’s really what mattered. The winning at the end was certainly nice, but regardless of what the results were, they had already won.”

Capt. Justin Lystiuk, a squadron commander at RMC and the team’s coach this year, is familiar with how Humeniuk and the rest of his team is feeling. Lystiuk competed and won the competition in 2006 and 2007 when he attended the college as an officer cadet. The Nova Scotia native said cheering and watching on the sidelines was a difficult and rewarding experience.

“We’re hands-off during the competition and we had to leave them to their own devices,” Lystiuk said. “Sometimes you want to correct them or give them advice, or even let them know how other teams are doing, but then we had to remember that we had to let them focus on the competition and that this moment is for them, not for us.”

Friday said it was clear that the team stuck to their plans.

“They were conserving energy when it was the right time, they had a leader, they had a second in command, there was mutual respect in the team for everybody,” Friday said. “Watching them, incredibly, they represented themselves, the Royal Military College, the Canadian Forces and frankly Canada. I think Canadians can be very proud of what their young men and women just demonstrated.”

After winning three straight years from 2005 to 2007, then again in 2009, RMC had failed to win the competition since. Humeniuk, a Vancouver native in his fourth and final year at RMC, has been on the team for the past three years. For those three years, the case in the RMC cadet dining hall built to hold the Sandhurst Sword sat empty.

“It’ll finally be back in the case again,” Humeniuk said. “It’ll be really inspiring for all the guys to come back and train to defend it.”

Lystiuk said the team had to wait six hours before the awards ceremony. As they watched both of the United Kingdom’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s teams win second and third, RMC sat in quiet excitement.

“Everyone went crazy, got up and went on stage to shake hands with the big brass that were there,” Lystiuk said. “We won overall highest score and the top international team.”

While the team did celebrate loudly, Friday was impressed by how the team accepted the sword.

“Even when they went up on stage — they didn’t have to, they did this all by themselves — they marched up on to the stage,” Friday said. “They halted, and they turned in formation towards the Amercian general who was making the presentation. Even in that moment they were composed and honourable. I was very proud to see them do that.”

Friday said organizing the competition every year is a huge undertaking, even for the United States Army, but it is an important one.

“What it creates is an opportunity, very early in their careers as they’re learning to take on the role as officers and leaders, for an international connection,” Friday said. “We live in a world which is bigger than ourselves. When we go out the doors, as we are right now around the world in operations, we’re going to do it with allies and collations.

“There are countries here from as far as Taiwan and China, Australia, Brazil, the list goes on. Building those bonds early in their career, I think gives a very real opportunity to begin to understand what it is going to be like to represent Canada abroad.”

The 2016 competition was Humeniuk’s final year to compete. After graduating this spring, he’ll continue his training to become an armoured officer.

“Every year you watch the seniors on the team, it’s their last chance, you see it in their face and the way they carry themselves through the competition, always pushing hard and motivating the team,” Humeniuk said. “Now that it was my last chance, I’m so happy that this is the year that we won … we’re bringing the sword home.”

scrosier@postmedia.com

twitter.com/StephattheWhig

KAF Cenotaph at Former Nortel Site - Does it Make Sense?

By: David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen 

It was recently reported that the memorial to fallen Canadian troops that was once at Kandahar airfield in Afghanistan will be rebuilt in the west end Ottawa by the summer of next year.

The memorial, known as the Kandahar Airfield Cenotaph, will be located on the former Nortel Campus, the new site for National Defence headquarters.

An exact location on the grounds has not yet been decided but the cenotaph is expected to be in place by the summer of 2017, Canadian Forces spokeswoman Lt.-Commander Diane Grover, told Defence Watch.

Grover said that because it is expected that the cenotaph will be within a secure area of the new headquarters site, details still have to be worked out about providing access to the public and families of the fallen.

Some Defence Watch readers, however, have questioned how much visitation by the public the cenotaph will receive once it is rebuilt at the Nortel complex?

For sure, the military and civilian DND staff who operate at the Nortel campus will see the memorial. And the families of the fallen will be sure to visit, although special arrangements will have to be made to provide them with access to the cenotaph which will be enclosed in a glass pavilion.

But since the site is not in downtown Ottawa, it likely won’t be seen by many visitors to the city, or its inhabitants, unless they want to make a special trip to the west end.

There is no question the cenotaph is a powerful one, probably more so than many other military memorials. It has, etched in its black granite, the images of all Canadian military personnel killed in Afghanistan.

In 2011 a military working group recommended that the cenotaph be located on DND property at Dow’s Lake in Ottawa. One of the reasons? That would be the most accessible site for the public as it is a well traveled location, particularly for visitors to the capital.

At the time three Ottawa venues were considered the most serious options as a home for the cenotaph; Beechwood Cemetery, the DND campus at the former Nortel site on Carling Avenue and the Dow’s Lake property, according to a July 2011 briefing note prepared for then army commander Lt.-Gen. Peter Devlin.

“When weighing the criteria, the Memorials WG (working group) considered Sanctity to be the most important, followed by Visibility and Accessibility,” Devlin was told in the documents obtained by Postmedia.

The Dow’s Lake option came out on top, followed very closely by Beechwood Cemetery, according to the briefing. The Nortel Campus was a distant third (even as a location for a new headquarters, military staff have referred to the site in various documents as “isolated.”)

Somewhere along the line all that changed.

RCAF Air Task Force Romania completes bilateral training

DND - News Article / April 8, 2016

Royal Canadian Air Force

About 100 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel, mainly from 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, with four CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft conducted bilateral training with the Romanian Air Force in Constanta, Romania, from March to April 2016. PHOTO: CER SENIN- Revista Forţelor Aeriene (Romanian Air Force magazine) Facebook page

Air Task Force-Romania began its return from Constanta, Romania, to 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, today upon completion of Exercise Resilient Resolve.

Exercise Resilient Resolve built on Canada’s positive relationship with Romania, an important NATO Ally, strengthening mutual confidence in using common NATO procedures.

“The members of Air Task Force-Romania demonstrated the dedication and professionalism that makes the Royal Canadian Air Force an exemplary partner to our allies,” said Brigadier-General Blaise Frawley, acting commander of 1 Canadian Air Division. “I’m proud of their contribution to furthering the relationships between Canada and Romania. These airmen and airwomen have represented the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada with honour.”

Approximately 100 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel, mainly from 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, and four CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft that had previously been deployed on Operation Impact, were deployed to Constanta, Romania, to conduct a month-long bilateral training exercise with the Romanian Air Force known as Exercise Resilient Resolve.

During the exercise, Air Task Force-Romania flew 86 missions for a total of more than 104 flying hours, including 18 sorties directly involving Canadian CF-188 Hornets and Romanian Air Force 861st Fighter Squadron MiG-21 Lancers, allowing for valuable air-to-air combat training missions.

“Exercise Resilient Resolve provided the opportunity to share our expertise and deepen the relationship with the Romanian Air Force while simultaneously providing excellent learning opportunities for our RCAF personnel and teams,” said Lieutenant-Colonel David Turenne, the commander of Air Task Force-Romania. “Overall, it was a resounding success and a great experience for everyone who participated.”

ATF-Romania ground and support personnel conducted bilateral training with Romanian Air Force firefighters, air weapons controllers and network operators. Such training increased Canadian personnel’s understanding of our allies’ procedures and equipment, increasing our interoperability for possible future multinational operations.

The Air Task Force also conducted close air support training with the United States Marine Corps Joint Tactical Air Controllers stationed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, enhancing our relationship with one of our closest military ally.

During the exercise, the Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff, Major-General Laurian Anastasof, presented three members of Air Task Force-Romania and the commander of 3 Wing with the Romanian Air Force Emblem of Honour.



Canadians presented with Romanian Air Force Emblem of Honour

By Captain Marie-France Poulin

On March 22, 2016, Major-General Laurian Anastasoff, Air Chief of Romania, and Ms Joanne Lemay, the Canadian ambassador to Romania, welcomed at Major-General David Wheeler, commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, the 1 Canadian Air Division chief warrant officer as well as commanders and chief warrant officers from 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec; 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta; and 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, to Mihail Koganiceanu Air Base.

The delegation was returning from Kuwait when it stopped over in Constanta to meet the members of Air Task Force -Romania who are currently deployed for Exercise Resilient Resolve.

During the ceremony, three members of the Task Force and the commander of 3 Wing received commendations from the Air Chief of Romania for the exceptional work they have accomplished to this point: Colonel Darcy Molstad, commander of 3 Wing; Lieutenant-Colonel David Turenne, Task Force commander, Leading Seaman Johanna Wojewoda, from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, and Warrant Officer André Vachon, also from 425 Squadron.

Major-General Wheeler sincerely thanked Major-General Anastasof for his recognition and for all the support that Romanian Air Force personnel had given the Task Force since its arrival.

”On short notice, the members of ATF-Romania deployed here, in Romania, for the second time since 2014. This would not have been possible without the support that you have given us,” said Major-General Wheeler. “We have developed a relationship of cooperation and of friendship. I thank you sincerely for all the support that your country and your personnel have offered ATF-Romania since their arrival.”

“I am proud to see the Canadian flag here,” said Major-General Anastasof. “Our two countries share the same values of professionalism, commitment and integrity.”

During the visit, the commanders and chief warrant officers had the opportunity to meet their personnel and see ATF-Romania work environment.

RCAF releases report into 2012 Hercules accident in Florida

DND Press Release

April 8, 2016 – Ottawa – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Directorate of Flight Safety (DFS) has released the Flight Safety Investigation Report into the accident involving a CC-130 Hercules at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, on February 21, 2012. In this accident, the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair, and one Canadian Armed Forces member suffered minor injuries sustained during the aborted takeoff and emergency stop.

During the period between the accident and report’s release, DFS worked closely with the CC-130 Hercules technical authorities to implement flight safety preventive measures, including a series of special inspections and modifications to prevent future accidents of this nature.

To read the entire report please visit: 

http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/flight-safety/article-template-flight-safety.page?doc=cc130342-hercules-epilogue-flight-safety-investigation-report/hky1dmyy

Aircraft Exterior – Damage to Fuselage Ceiling Area near LH Side Para Door

Air Task Force-Iraq Welcomes New Commander

Article / April 8, 2016

By Joint Task Force-Iraq Public Affairs Officer

On April 8, 2016, Colonel Jason Major assumed command of Air Task Force-Iraq (ATF-I) from Colonel Shayne Elder in a change of command ceremony held in the sandy and windy Camp Canada in Kuwait, home of Joint Task Force-Iraq, the higher headquarters of ATF-I.

Brigadier-General James Irvine, Commander of Joint Task Force-Iraq, presided over the change of command ceremony.

Chief Warrant Officer Bill Hinchey (left), Air Task Force – Iraq Chief Warrant Officer, hands the senior appointment to Chief Warrant Officer Luigi Di Stephano as Colonel Shayne Elder makes the change over official during a ceremony in Kuwait on April 8, 2016. Photo: Op Impact, DND

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Colonel Elder for his exceptional leadership of the Air Task Force,” said Brigadier-General Irvine. “Over the last six months, he has led his personnel with care and dedication. I congratulate him for the very significant role that he has played in elevating Canada’s airpower reputation within the Coalition. I also would like to welcome Colonel Major to my team as the on-coming commander of Air Task Force-Iraq. I have known and worked with Colonel Major for more than a decade. A recognized airpower expert and an experienced senior leader, I know that he will lead the Air Task Force with distinction.”

Colonel Major joined the Canadian Forces in 1990. Before assuming command of ATF-I, he was Officer in Charge, Air Component Coordination Element – Atlantic. He has more than 5000 hours of military flying with combat experience in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan.

“I am looking forward to the challenges that come with leading an expeditionary air task force alongside our Coalition partners,” said Colonel Major. “The troops I saw on parade today, from the aircrew to the maintainers and other support staff, are sharp and represent the finest airmen and airwomen the Royal Canadian Air Force has amongst its ranks.”

Colonel Elder had been Commander of ATF-I since October 19, 2015. In this role, Colonel Elder led the task force though the successful execution of CF-18 Hornet operations to halt and degrade the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). He also led his team in CP-140 Aurora intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, and in CC-150 Polaris refuelling operations.

“It is with great satisfaction that I look back over all we have accomplished in our pursuit of ISIL and the provision of support to Coalition forces,” said Colonel Elder. “It is with regret that I depart this team but I am confident that Colonel Major will continue to lead these air warriors through many successful missions.”