Best RCAF Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 74: The Tandem Rotor: Inside CH-147F Chinook Operations with 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Part 1 – Ian Wookey 1:00:43

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5d ago1:00:43

1:00:43

In Part 1, pilot Ian Wookey walks us through the formative years that made him a Chinook aviator - from varsity life at RMC and initial flight training on the Grob, to the intensity of the Harvard II course in Moose Jaw and the humbling challenge of helicopter phase training. Ian reflects on early on-the-job roles, an unexpected deployment to Afgha…

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Canada Narrows Choice for New Submarines 53:34

9d ago53:34

53:34

Canada has shortlisted two international shipbuilders, Germany's TKMS and South Korea's Hanwha Ocean, for its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, which aims to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's aging Victoria-class submarines. The program plans to acquire up to 12 conventionally powered submarines with under-ice capability and extended endurance, wi…

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Episode 73: The LIFT: Lead-In Fighter Training in Italy and flying the CF-18 Hornet and the T-346 Master Part 3 - Eli 1:05:01

12d ago1:05:01

1:05:01

In Part 3 of our LIFT series, new RCAF pilot Eli shares his path from RMC to flying the T-346 Master in Italy’s International Flight Training School. He talks about early training on the Grob and Harvard II, a unique posting to CFS Alert, and the challenge of fast-jet training in Sardinia. From dogfighting, radar intercepts, and close air support t…

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Episode 72: The LIFT: Lead-In Fighter Training in Italy and flying the CF-18 Hornet and the T-346 Master Part 2 - Brian "Humza" Kilroy 1:00:08

19d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

By Bryan Morrison

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Carney Launches New Defence Investment Agency 42:00

21d ago42:00

42:00

Yesterday, as part of ongoing measures to streamline defence procurement, Prime Minister Carney and the Liberal government launched a Defence Investment Agency (DIA), tasked with accelerating the purchase and delivery of essential military equipment. The DIA aims to ensure that the CAF receives what it needs with minimal delay, while also promoting…

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Episode 71: The LIFT: Lead-In Fighter Training in Italy and flying the CF-18 Hornet and the T-346 Master Part 1 - Brian "Humza" Kilroy 1:12:49

26d ago1:12:49

1:12:49

Ever wondered what it takes to become a Canadian fighter pilot? Today we chat with Major Brian “Humza” Kilroy, a CF-18 Hornet pilot and instructor on the T-346 Master at Italy’s International Flight Training School. Brian takes us through his journey from growing up in Alberta and joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, to earning his RCAF pilot win…

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Is Bureaucracy Hindering Military Preparedness? Modernizing Canadian Artillery 43:42

27d ago43:42

43:42

On this week's episode of The Expert Series, Anne Rifenstein sits down with Colonel (Ret'd) Stefan Boucher and Lieutenant General (Ret'd) Andrew Leslie to give a big picture analysis for the Canadian artillery's role over the next ten years for Canada. They point towards the reactionary approach to defence funding and how it addresses the Army, dis…

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Out the Door! (S2 E4) 38:03

29d ago38:03

38:03

Colonel Laura Gagne discusses deployments: personal readiness, impact on family, and the return home.By Royal Canadian Air Force

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Episode 70: The Rescue: Air Tindi crash survivors in the NWT – Conducting a CC-130H Hercules rescue, Part 2 – Jason Shaw & Vincent C-Benoit 1:12:33

1M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

When a Twin Otter crashed north of Yellowknife in December 2023, a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules crew from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron leapt into action. In this gripping episode of the Pilot Project Podcast, we talk with aircraft commander Jason Shaw and Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) Vincent C. Benoit about the night SAR…

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NATO Article 4 Talks | Canada & Poland Strengthen Defence Relationship 31:45

1M ago31:45

31:45

In early September, Poland reported a major escalation in Russian drone activity, with 19 drones penetrating Polish airspace. In response, Warsaw initiated consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty, a rare move that signalled concern the security of the entire Alliance. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also made a high-profile visit to Wa…

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Episode 69: The Rescue: Air Tindi crash survivors in the NWT – Conducting a CC-130H Hercules rescue, Part 1 – Jason Shaw & Vincent C-Benoit 1:16:20

1M ago1:16:20

1:16:20

In this first installment of The Rescue, Captain Jason Shaw and Sergeant Vincent C-Benoit of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron take us inside the world of Canadian search and rescue operations. From their early days in the Canadian Army and Air Force - including deployments to Afghanistan and Bosnia - to the rigorous training pipeline for pilots an…

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Will the Coast Guard's shift to DND & the Ice Pact Strengthen Canadian Security & Industry? 39:39

1M ago39:39

39:39

In response to an increasingly complex and competitive Arctic security environment, Canada has taken major steps to strengthen its maritime capabilities. Over the past year, this has included joining the trilateral "Ice Pact" with the U.S. and Finland, beginning construction on two heavy polar icebreakers, and integrating the Canadian Coast Guard i…

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Episode 68: The Counter-Drug Ops: Flying SAR and counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean and flying the De Havilland Dash 8 for PAL Part 3 - Pat Lalande, Trevor Juby 52:12

2M ago52:12

52:12

Counter-Drug and Search and Rescue Aviation in the Caribbean with PAL Aerospace What is it like to fly counter-drug interdiction and Search and Rescue missions in the Caribbean? What does it take to qualify for this demanding aviation work, and how do crews prepare to execute missions as part of Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South)? In …

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What challenges and opportunities will the River-Class Destroyer pose for Canada's naval strategy? 34:27

2M ago34:27

34:27

The River-class destroyer is needed to address the aging and retiring fleet of Iroquois and Halifax-class warships, whose capabilities no longer meet current and future operational demands. These new ships will ensure Canada maintains a credible naval presence to support national defence, international alliances, and emerging security challenges, p…

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Episode 67: The Counter-Drug Ops: Flying SAR and counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean and flying the De Havilland Dash 8 for PAL Part 2 - Pat Lalande, Trevor Juby 53:58

2M ago53:58

53:58

RCAF to Counter-Drug and Search & Rescue Missions in the Caribbean What is it like to fly long-range patrol missions in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), face close calls in high-stakes operations, and then transition to counter-drug and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in the Caribbean? How do Canadian military pilots prepare for this demanding…

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Episode 66: The Counter-Drug Ops: Flying SAR and counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean and flying the De Havilland Dash 8 for PAL Part 1 - Pat Lalande, Trevor Juby 1:09:29

2M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

From RCAF Patrol Missions to Counter-Drug and SAR Operations in the Caribbean What kinds of missions do a long-range patrol sensor operator and crew commander face in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)? What challenges and close calls have they experienced, and how did those skills carry over into high-stakes counter-narcotics and Search and Rescu…

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What Has Canada Learned from Op UNIFIER? 1:03:54

2M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Through Operation UNIFIER, Canada’s ongoing support for Ukraine demonstrates the critical role of middle powers in combatting contemporary security challenges. Since 2015, Op UNIFIER has provided training and advisory support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Helping to strengthen their capacity, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has served as a bridge …

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Can Canada Realistically Diversify Its Defence Partnerships Beyond the U.S.? 45:12

2M ago45:12

45:12

The rapidly shifting international environment has sparked renewed interest in CANZUK cooperation as a potential axis for middle powers seeking to safeguard their autonomy and security. While Canada, Australia, the UK, and New Zealand have a long history of informal defence collaboration through arrangements like the Five Eyes intelligence alliance…

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Episode 65: The Kingfisher: Developing, acquiring and flying the CC-295 Kingfisher Part 3 - Luc Coates, Francois Fasquelle, Dan Faux 1:00:15

2M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

In this episode, we continue our conversation with: Lieutenant-Colonel Luc Coates, Commanding Officer of 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron Lieutenant-Colonel Francois Fasquelle, Commanding Officer of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron Major Dan Faux, subject matter expert on the CC-295 Kingfisher We dive deeper into the Kingfisher,…

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Episode 64: The Kingfisher: Developing, acquiring and flying the CC-295 Kingfisher Part 2 - Luc Coates, Francois Fasquelle, Dan Faux 57:47

3M ago57:47

57:47

In this episode, we continue our conversation with: Lieutenant-Colonel Luc Coates, Commanding Officer of 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron Lieutenant-Colonel Francois Fasquelle, Commanding Officer of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron Major Dan Faux, subject matter expert on the CC-295 Kingfisher We begin with Dan’s early days as a…

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Can Canada Afford to Stay Silent on Ballistic Missile Defence? 29:39

3M ago29:39

29:39

As Arctic tensions rise, missile technologies advance, and U.S. foreign policy veers toward unilateralism, NORAD faces mounting pressure to evolve. But can it? And will Canada rise to meet the challenge alongside the United States, or risk being left behind? Furthermore, will Canada step into the BMD conversation? In this week’s installment of the …

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Episode 63: The Kingfisher: Developing, acquiring and flying the CC-295 Kingfisher Part 1 - Luc Coates, Francois Fasquelle, Dan Faux 1:05:36

3M ago1:05:36

1:05:36

What drives someone to choose the demanding — and often dangerous — career of Search and Rescue pilot? What early experiences shaped their paths, and what does it really take to fly missions where lives hang in the balance? In this episode, we sit down with three remarkable guests: Lieutenant-Colonel Luc Coates, Commanding Officer of 418 Search and…

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Can Russia be Contained in a Multi-Polar World? 47:15

3M ago47:15

47:15

The war in Ukraine is not just a regional conflict, it is a pivotal struggle over the future of liberal democracy, Western unity, and the global balance of power. With Russia pursuing expansionist aims, the West divided, and President Donald Trump reshaping U.S. foreign policy, the outcome of this war could determine whether democratic values or au…

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How the RCN is Preparing for 21st Century Threats: A Conversation with VAdm Angus Topshee 28:52

3M ago28:52

28:52

With the Royal Canadian Navy facing urgent demands to grow its workforce, maintain aging ships, and prepare for increasingly complex security challenges in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, can it balance immediate operational needs with long-term modernization? Today, Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, commander of the royal Canadian navy, joins us for a disc…

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Episode 62: The CAPCOM: Earning the Elsie MacGill Award, flying the CH-146 Griffon, and working with NASA in Houston Part 3 - Erin Edwards 55:16

3M ago55:16

55:16

What’s it like to go from flying helicopters in the Royal Canadian Air Force to becoming the voice in the headset for astronauts aboard the International Space Station? How do you transition from military aviation to serving as Deputy Branch Chief Operations Officer and CAPCOM at NASA? In this episode, we sit down with Captain Erin Edwards — a Spec…

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Episode 61: The CAPCOM: Earning the Elsie MacGill Award, flying the CH-146 Griffon, and working with NASA in Houston Part 2 - Erin Edwards 51:59

4M ago51:59

51:59

What does it take to pass selection for one of Canada’s most elite aviation units — 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron? How do you earn the coveted role of SOF Aircraft Commander? And what happens when you trade a military cockpit for a mission control console at NASA? In this episode, we sit down with Captain Erin Edwards, a trailblazing Can…

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True North Strong? A Citizen's Guide to National Defence 58:49

4M ago58:49

58:49

Charles Davies Joined the Expert Series to discuss the need for Canada to rethink its approach to national defence in response to a rapidly changing global security environment. Davies analyzes the impact of the changing global security environment on Canada’s defence posture and strategy, why its essential for Canada to shed its identity as a “sma…

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Episode 60: The CAPCOM: Earning the Elsie MacGill Award, flying the CH-146 Griffon, and working with NASA in Houston Part 1 - Erin Edwards 53:34

4M ago53:34

53:34

How does a MARS Officer and Ship’s Team Diver become a Special Operations helicopter pilot? What does it take to get through the intense rigours of Phase III helicopter training — and then make the leap to 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron? In this episode, we sit down with Captain Erin Edwards, a SOF Aircraft Commander, recipient of the pre…

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Will Canada Hit NATO's 5% Defence Spending Target? 31:19

4M ago31:19

31:19

This week, Canada sat with its allies at the Hague and agreed to triple its defence funding over the next 10 years. Former Defence Minister Peter MacKay joined us to discuss the outcomes of the 76th NATO Summit in The Hague, which saw commitment from all 32 NATO members to increase defence spending, the geopolitical drivers behind this shift, conce…

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Episode 59: The Seeker: Fixed Wing Search and Rescue and flying the CC-115 Buffalo and CC-130H Hercules Part 2 - Dan Conway 1:06:33

4M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

What did it take to fly Search and Rescue in the venerable (but aging) CC-115 Buffalo? What does it feel like to return to 3CFFTS as a seasoned pilot, ready to learn about the world of instructing? What's it like to be taught by your former students as you learn to fly the CC-130H Hercules? Today we sit down for part 2 of our interview with Major D…

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Episode 58: The Seeker: Fixed Wing Search and Rescue and flying the CC-115 Buffalo and CC-130H Hercules Part 1 - Dan Conway 59:34

4M ago59:34

59:34

What is it like to attend RMC and go through flight training in the RCAF? Why was the CC-115 Buffalo in Comox a desirable posting even with the airplane entering its sunset years? Major Dan Conway is the current Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO) of 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Greenwood NS, and soon to be the DCO of 3CFFTS in Portage la Prair…

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2% is Just the Start: How will Canada Deliver on Carney's Defence Pledge? 41:08

4M ago41:08

41:08

On Monday, June 9th, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada will accelerate its defence spending to reach 2% of GDP by the end of the 2025–2026 fiscal year, moving the target forward by several years. With Canada accelerating defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2025-26, how can the government and the CAF prepare for the far greater challeng…

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Unpacking Carney's Defence Announcement 28:43

5M ago28:43

28:43

On Monday, June 9th, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada will accelerate its defence spending to reach 2% of GDP by the end of the 2025–2026 fiscal year, moving the target forward by several years. CDAI Board Member and former NSIA to the Prime Minister, Vincent Rigby, joined the Expert Series to analyze the announcement, discussing t…

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Episode 57: The Culture: The Evolution of Culture in the Canadian Armed Forces and flying the CH-146 Griffon Part 3 - Jeannot Boucher 1:04:30

5M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

What does it take to take on the responsibility of being the Chief of Staff Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (COS CPCC) in the wake of the larger culture change effort that the Canadian Armed Forces has pursued over the last 10 or more years? Why is culture change necessary, and what does it even mean within the context of the military? Major…

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How Ukraine pulled off 'Operation Spiderweb' 47:57

5M ago47:57

47:57

Could a swarm of cheap drones launched from hidden trucks inside Russian territory mark a turning point in the Ukraine war? Nearly a week ago, Ukraine carried out a covert drone operation inside Russia, striking five military air bases and damaging or destroying a significant number of strategic bombers. The attack, codenamed “Spider’s Web,” involv…

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Is Europe Planning for Yesterday's War? Lessons from NATO's Frontline 33:53

5M ago33:53

33:53

As Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on and tensions rise along NATO’s eastern flank, Lithuania is sounding the alarm, not just for itself, but for the entire transatlantic alliance If countries like Lithuania or Latvia are tested and Canada—or other members of the Alliance—hesitate, it could damage the credibility of NATO's collective defence. This w…

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Ghost Fleets: What does Maritime Autonomous Systems Integration offer the RCN? 50:22

5M ago50:22

50:22

As maritime security environments grow increasingly complex, particularly in remote and contested regions like the Arctic, the RCN is considering adoption of maritime autonomous systems (MAS) to enhance surveillance, extend operational reach, and reduce risk to personnel. VAdm (Retd) Bob Davidson CMM, MSC CD, Cdr. Ryan Bell, and Kate E. Todd discus…

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Episode 56: The Culture: The Evolution of Culture in the Canadian Armed Forces and flying the CH-146 Griffon Part 2 - Jeannot Boucher 50:04

5M ago50:04

50:04

What does it feel like to deploy as the Commander of Task Force Jerusalem in support of OP PROTEUS in the West Bank? What does it take to take over various commands in the Tactical Helicopter force? What goes into developing a defence policy update like "Our North Strong and Free" (ONSAF)? Today we sit down for part 2 of our chat with Major-General…

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"Nice but not there": Canada's Reputational Challenges in the Indo-Pacific 55:01

5M ago55:01

55:01

With tensions rising in the Indo-Pacific and the global economy vulnerable to disruption, Canada faces growing pressure to define its role in a region that is central to future global security and prosperity. As great power competition intensifies, and China ramps up military activity and rhetoric around a potential invasion of Taiwan, Canada must …

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Trump’s Golden Dome | Ukraine Strikes Deep into Russia | Gaza War Ground Offensive Expansion 27:36

5M ago27:36

27:36

In this week's installment of The Geopolitical Update podcast, we discuss intensifying tit-for-tat drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia amidst a substantial prisoner swap and Donald Trump’s call with President Vladimir Putin, President Trump’s unveiling of the United States’ planned Golden Dome initiative—a $175 billion space-based missile defe…

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Episode 55: The Culture: The Evolution of Culture in the Canadian Armed Forces and flying the CH-146 Griffon Part 1 - Jeannot Boucher 57:35

5M ago57:35

57:35

What was it like to deploy to Afghanistan as the Deputy Commanding Officer of Canadian Helicopter Forces in Afghanistan (CHFA)? What was the Tactical Helicopter role in Afghanistan at the time and how violent was it in 2009? Today we sit down with Major-General Jeannot Boucher, Chief of Staff Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (COS CPCC). Jeann…

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Celebrating 100 Years (S2 E3) 34:58

5M ago34:58

34:58

Colonel Jody Hanson and Chief Warrant Officer Philippe Cousineau discuss the Centennial of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Winnipeg.By Royal Canadian Air Force

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The Future of the Five Eyes (FVEY) and Canada's Role in it 38:07

5M ago38:07

38:07

What do recent changes in the United States’s strategic posture mean for the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance? Over the past several months, allies within the Five Eyes have flagged an alarming level of polarization within the U.S. intelligence community. While the alliance has faced challenges before, new difficulties regarding intelligence…

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The Golden Dome 27:36

5M ago27:36

27:36

Dr. Rob Huebert joins today's Expert Series podcast to discuss the implications of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada is exploring participation in the United States' “Golden Dome” defence initiative, unveiled by Donald Trump earlier this week. The Golden Dome, designed to intercept hypersonic, ballistic, and space-based threats,…

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Sir Lawrence Freedman | Lessons from Ukraine for the Future of Warfare 29:20

5M ago29:20

29:20

How did the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine reawaken strategic thinking in the West? Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine poses challenges for the future of international security. Joining us today is Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London, to discuss the ways in which the global system is incr…

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Episode 54: The Jet Jockey: Supersonic Stories: Flying the CF-188 Hornet in the Cold War Part 2 - Dan "Alf" McWilliams 1:18:44

5M ago1:18:44

1:18:44

What was it like to be one of the first cadres to fly the might CF-188 Hornet? What did it feel like to operate in Europe on the edge of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War? What was it like to deploy in support of the Gulf War? Dan "Alf" McWilliams is a retired RCAF Fighter pilot who operated during the Cold War. Today we sit down and talk about …

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Canada Ignores the South China Sea At Its Peril 51:29

5M ago51:29

51:29

How should Canada increase its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region? The South China Sea has become a global flashpoint for economic and military tensions. Despite Canada itself being a Pacific nation, our regional engagement and relations with regional partners remain limited. Jonathan Berkshire Miller and Stephen Nagy joined the Expert Series to…

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What Does Securing the Arctic Look Like? 47:12

5M ago47:12

47:12

Faced with heated threats in the Arctic and American uncertainty in bilateral cooperation, Arctic sovereignty and security has emerged at the forefront of security concerns in the recent Canadian federal election. We met with Dr. Andrea Charron and Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer to discuss Canada’s answer to the Arctic question. With the 51st narrative st…

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Episode 53: The Jet Jockey: Tutor Tales: Flying and instructing on the CT-114 Tutor Part 1 - Dan "Alf" McWilliams 1:12:26

6M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

What was it like to live in Germany on a NATO base during the Cold War as a teenager? What does it feel like to follow in your dad's footsteps and achieve your dreams to become a jet pilot? What was it like to instruct at "The Big 2" Moose Jaw when there could be up to 30 CT-114 Tutors flying at once? Today we sit down with Cold War fighter pilot D…

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What’s Stopping Canadians from Joining the Military? 29:44

6M ago29:44

29:44

What is driving Canada's ongoing military recruitment and retention crisis, and how can the CAF address the challenges that are preventing it from meeting its personnel needs in an increasingly unstable global security environment? In this Expert Series episode, Charlotte Duval-Lantoine outlines the underlying causes of the CAF’s personnel crisis: …