What Canadian Forces Transformation means to Canada’s Air Force

The Sperwer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), 161001, launches on its maiden flight in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Sperwer UAV is a target acquisition and surveillance drone deployed with Operation ATHENA in Afghanistan. [ More Photos ]

A Season of Change

By Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeley

For those of you who have been watching, you will know that a lot has changed in the Canadian Forces since the Air Force announced the beginning of its transformation in 2004 with the publication of Strategic Vectors . Although the Air Force modernization process continues, it is being aligned with the significant changes introduced to the Canadian Forces over the past six months.

Since early in 2005, in quick succession following General Rick Hillier’s appointment as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in February, the 2005 federal budget allocated $12.8 billion in new funding to Defence over a five year period, a new Defence Policy Statement was tabled in the House of Commons , and CF Transformation was set in motion through the work of the CDS Action Teams and appointment of a Chief of Transformation. A new military command, Canada Command, was stood up and the first of six subordinate joint headquarters established. Work continues at a fast pace on the development of other joint headquarters and on the creation of a Special Operations Group, Canadian Expeditionary Command and Standing Contingency Task Forces.

At the same time, there has been significant change within the Air Force. The Air Force itself has gone through a change in leadership, with the appointment of Lieutenant General Lucas as Commander of Air Command and Chief of the Air Staff in May. Many initiatives that commenced in 2004, as part of Air Force Transformation, have continued at pace with Canadian Forces (CF) Transformation, resulting in a number of operational squadrons being consolidated to support the creation of an Aerospace Warfare Centre, which will serve as the engine for future change within the Air Force.
At the same time, other transformational initiatives and projects have accelerated, slowed down, or ceased to exist, as the Air Force adjusts to new priorities identified in the Defence Policy Statement tabled in April 2005.

Defence Policy Statement

The Defence Policy Statement, A Role of Pride and Influence in the World, is the first review of Canada’s defence policy in more than 10 years and presents a new vision for the Canadian Forces in light of the new threats faced by Canadians today.
To respond to these threats, the new policy statement sets out a plan to make Canadian security the first priority for the Canadian Forces. The new vision calls for the Canadian Forces to strengthen their capacity to defend Canada’s security, protect the nation’s interests, enhance the country’s role on the world stage and meet threats to Canada’s security as far from our shores as possible.
To better protect Canada and Canadians, the Defence Policy Statement calls for the Canadian Forces to be reorganized in order to more effectively and quickly respond to domestic crises, as well as support other Government departments as required.
The Defence Policy Statement, backed with financial support in the 2005 federal budget, provides the framework within which the Canadian Forces will be able to sustain, expand and transform itself into a more relevant, responsive and effective force to meet the threats of the new world security environment which has emerged in the 21st Century.

Canadian Forces Transformation
To meet the priorities called for in the new policy statement, the Canadian Forces must transform, making key changes to its organization and planning. The Canadian Forces must better integrate maritime, land, air and special operations forces so that the effect of the Canadian effort as a whole exceeds the sum of its parts. The overall goal will be the ability to deploy the right mix of forces to the right place, at the right time, producing the right result.

What will emerge from this transformation is a new Canadian Forces with new capabilities, more integrated, expeditionary and cohesive, ready to deploy whenever and wherever the need arises.

Air Power in the Transformed Canadian Forces

The new defence policy identifies a significant role for Air Power in the transformed Canadian Forces. Air Power has a lead role in the security of Canada and North America. And in international operations Air Power can deliver combat firepower or deterrence through the use of the CF-18 Hornet ; intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) through the employment of Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and CP-140 Aurora aircraft; or tactical mobility through the use of CC-130 Hercules transport aircraft and helicopters; and support maritime operations with the CH-124 Sea King helicopters and CP-140 Aurora aircraft.

The decisions that have been made on Canadian Forces Transformation are consistent with many core elements of the Air Force Vision, and reinforce the Air Force’s commitment to transform into an expeditionary, network-enabled, results-focused force for the 21st Century.

It should also be noted that Canadian Forces Transformation is the result of the collective effort of the leadership of the Canadian Forces and is what the Air Force both needs and wants. This transformation will ensure that Air Power will remain relevant, responsive and effective in meeting the security needs of Canadians, as a critical component of integrated Canadian Forces operations. Simply put, Air Power will continue to play a vital role in the defence of Canada and her interests.

Immediate Impact

The greatest changes brought about by Canadian Forces Transformation in the short term will occur in the headquarters across the country. Initially, most members of the Air Force will not be greatly affected by these changes. Nonetheless, the impact of transformation will be felt throughout the Air Force as people are drawn from headquarters and units to plan and implement projects associated with it. Although there will be some structural changes and a shifting of focus to deal with the newly defined threat, in the short term, the day to day work being performed by men and women of the Air Force will still need to be carried out in order for Canadians to go about life in peace and confidence.

Throughout this period, the men and women of the Air Force will continue to be called upon to respond to the needs of the nation, watching out for Canada’s economic, environmental and military security interests every day, around the clock, both here at home and in faraway and dangerous places.

CF-18s will continue to fly missions in support of NORAD and remain ready for deployment in support of Canadian Forces operations overseas. Maritime helicopters will still deploy to sea in support of maritime forces. Tactical aviation units will continue to support the land forces and special operations. Search and Rescue units will continue to respond to calls for assistance. Airlift will still be required domestically, and internationally. Surveillance and sovereignty missions will continue to provide vital information for the security of our nation.

Future Impact

While changes arising from CF Transformation will not have an immediate impact on the flight line, the next few years will see significant and lasting improvements for the Air Force’s infrastructure, equipment, personnel, and capabilities. There will be changes in capability that will be felt in the field, as new equipment is brought on line and land, maritime and air forces begin to train and operate in a more integrated fashion.

Some of the new capabilities that can be anticipated include:

• Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue aircraft to replace the CC-115 Buffalo aircraft and older model CC-130 Hercules aircraft;
• Medium- to heavy-lift helicopters to support land and special operations missions;
• Maritime Helicopters to replace the CH-124 Sea Kings
• Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles to support domestic and international operations;
• Modernized CF-18 through the use of the CF-18 Hornet Hornet fighters, with satellite-guided air-to-ground capabilities;
• Modernized CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft with enhanced capabilities;
• CC-150 Polaris Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft; and,
• New utility aircraft to replace the CC-138 Twin Otter.

Things are going to change, for the better! These are extremely positive times for the Air Force. Although there remains some uncertainty, and certainly some challenges lie ahead, things have not looked as good for the Air Force for a long time. As the Chief of Defence Staff has repeatedly said, the men and women of the Air Force will continue to serve Canada and wear the Air Force uniform with pride in a more integrated Canadian Forces.

The strength of Canada’s Air Force has always derived from the quality of its people, and its ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. As ever, it will be the dedication, professionalism and teamwork of the men and women who provide air power to the Canadian Forces that will make this transformation possible. And it is the people who will benefit from its success.

LCol Blakeley is the Director of Air Public Affairs at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.

Members of the Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group, (3 PPCLI BG) return to the Kandahar Airfield after taking part in Operation Cherokee Sky. The soldiers had deployed on 30 June 02 to Qalat, about 100 kms North-East of Kandahar Airfield to establish a coalition presence, gather information and foster good relations with communities. The soldiers were extracted by an American Chinook helicopter Photo: Cpl Lou Penney, 3 PPCLI Battle Group

A crew member takes notes about a contact of interest from a Canadian Forces (CF) CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft, on station in the Mediterranean region. Photo: Sgt Frank Hudec, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

Two 441 Squadron (Sqn) CF188 Hornet aircraft from Cold Lake, Alberta gets refueled by a Canadian CC-130 Hercules Transport Aircraft over the shores of BC. The Hornets primary roles include air defence, training, tactical support, and air superiority while the Hercules is used to airlift troops, equipment and cargo, in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and in air-to-air refuelling of fighters Photo by Private Vaughan Lightowler

A Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules 130319, from the Tactical Airlift Unit (TAU), arrivesat the Kabul International Airport. It will transport members of the 3rd Battalion Royal 22nd Regiment Battalion Group (3 R22eR Bn Gp), on the beginning of their long trek home to Canada at the completion of their respective tours of duty. Photo: Cpl John Bradley