From the Chief of the Air Staff

Canadian Forces sets rapid pace for Transformation

Lieutenant-General Steve Lucas, Chief of the Air Staff and Commander of Air Command during a recent visit to Air Force personnel engaged in the campaign against terrorism at Camp Mirage, in Southwest Asia. Since assuming command of the Air Force in May 2005, Lieutenant-General Lucas has visited most of the Air Force establishments to meet with the men and women who contribute daily to Canada’s national security. Photo by: DND

Many changes have taken place in the Canadian Forces (CF) during the eight months that have passed since the last issue of Crew Brief was published. At that time, the military had just received a commitment for 12.8 Billion dollars of new money to fix, expand and transform the CF. And, A Role of Pride and Influence in the World, the first review of Canada’s defence policy in more than 10 years, had just been published. These two events have set in motion a rapid pace of CF transformation, creating an irreversible momentum.

These events challenged our ability to communicate effectively with you, as we focused all of our efforts on establishing how air power would be delivered in a transformed, more integrated CF. We now have a better sense of the way ahead and, with this issue of Crew Brief, we aim to inform you on the impact of transformation on the Air Force.

Most of the work on transformation to date has been focused on command and control and the realignment of headquarters functions. To the maximum extent possible, we have strived to keep the pressure off of the Wings, where the great work being done by the men and women of the Air Force has ensured that we continue to meet our operational commitments, around the clock, both here in Canada, and throughout the world.

Every day, the men and women of the Air Force contribute to the economic, environmental and security interests of Canadians: Controlling Canadian aerospace; Monitoring the maritime approaches to Canada, along the longest coastline in the world; Performing search and rescue; Delivering humanitarian assistance to those in need; Participating in international operations; and, Contributing to the international campaign against terrorism.

Our people have always been our greatest strength. Their skills continue to be in great demand as we transform the Air Force while continuing to support an increased operational tempo. In fact, as we move ahead on projects to bring new aircraft and capabilities to the CF, our highly skilled professional people will be in even greater demand. We will have to be very creative in how we attract and employ personnel, such that we have the right skill sets in the right place, at the right time.

The next few years will see significant and lasting improvements for the Air Force’s infrastructure, equipment, personnel, and capabilities. Because air power figures prominently in Canada’s defence policy, many of the Air Force’s capability areas will be enhanced. New responsibilities will be supported by new resources.

The procurement of a new tactical airlift fleet to replace the aging Hercules aircraft was announced in November. Earlier this year, we identified the intention to acquire medium to heavy lift helicopters, uninhabited aerial vehicles, new Fixed Wing Search and Rescue aircraft and replacements for utility aircraft in the north. The Aurora and Hornet fleets are being modernized and a replacement for the Sea King fleet is on the way. Things have not looked as good for the Air Force for a long time.

While there are still many changes ahead of us, we have overcome many of the toughest challenges so far and are well positioned to ensure that Canada’s Air Force will be even more relevant, responsive and effective as it becomes more integrated with other elements of the CF.