Snowbirds save the airshow!

Did you know Canada..  I thought this was great news - in Sacramento this past weekend at the annual California Capital air show our own Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds entertained the
crowds as both the US Navy's Blue Angels and the US Air Force Thunderbirds were grounded due to federal budget cuts.

US news stations were crediting the Snowbirds as saving the air show!

The Miramir air show was cancelled due to the government shut down much to the disappointment of fans, especially as it one of the biggest air show events in the US.

Love that our guys were able to stun the crowds and helped the show go on!

Vimy Ridge Day

Did you know Canada..  Today, April 9th, is Vimy Ridge Day, honouring Canadian troops and the First World War Battle of Vimy Ridge 96 years ago.

Not a public holiday, but this day has been observed since 2003.  By law, it is required that the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill in Ottawa be lowered to half-mast today. Small ceremonies also take place the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France and other areas across Canada.

The Battle was fought April 9-14, Canadian Corps suffered 10,602 casualities, 3598 were killed and the rest injured.

Today, we remember these brave troops and honour them, lest we forget.

Visit the Canadian War Museum for more information on this battle, share it with your family, and discuss it at the dinner table tonight.  Some of our grandparents or great-grantparents would have fought in this battle, let's remember them today.

Lest we forget..

Did you know Canada..  across the nation there were Remembrance Day celebrations and a moment of silence at 11am.

We watched the ceremony on CBC and I was happy my boys sat and listened to me about what Remembrance Day was about, how today we say thank you to all the soldiers that have fought for us and continue to do so.

We say thank you to the boys Great-Grampa's who were both veterans  also their Great-Uncle who and my cousins who continue to protect our freedom in the military.

How did you introduce Remembrance Day in your family?

Remembrance Day

Did you know Canada.. it is 10 minutes to 11am as I write this. I am thinking about and silently thanking my Grampas, your Fathers and Grampas and today I am also thanking our current heroes of war.

I don't believe we can ever truly understand what they did for us and what our heroes continue to do for us, the life we would lead if it was not for them. I can only hope that we can make them proud, to build the world for a new generation while they have kept us safe.

Thank you Grampa, thank you Uncle, thank you Cousin, thank you.  Lest we forget...

Operation Nanook

Did you know Canada.. Canada Command is planning Operation NANOOK 11, a whole-of-government operation that will take place from 1-31 August 2011.

This operation is described by some as a show of muscle aganist the Russians over part of the Article floor where Russian and Canadian claims overlap.  Prime Minister Harper is set to attend as he has previously.

Canada's National Defence perfers to describe the operation as: Op NANOOK 11 is the largest of three operations conducted every year in Canada’s North and is designed to enhance Canadian sovereignty and to continue to improve the Canadian Forces’ capabilities when conducting Arctic operations.

Approximately 1,100 CF members, including Canadian Rangers, will participate in Op NANOOK 11, conducting patrols and tactical aviation missions in the area of Resolute Bay, as well as maritime patrols in Baffin Bay and Lancaster Sound.

The operation will also consist of a major air disaster exercise and the CF will act in a supporting role while assisting the Canadian Coast Guard in a maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) event. Both of these scenarios will also include participation from several other government departments.

Flooding in Quebec requires Military Assistance

Did you know Canada.. due to the flooding in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Quebec and surrounding area yesterday the Quebec government formally asked the Canadian military to come in to support local emergency officials already on the ground.

The Richelieu River has been steadily rising since last week as the spring thaw, combined with days of rain, which lead to over 3,000 homes and businesses being flooded.

The military will be available to distribute sandbags to contain the water and help evacuate people from low lying areas.

Public-health officials issued warnings about the risks associated with floodwaters, including mould and water contamination.

CC-130 Hercules-H

Did you know Canada.. The CC-130 Hercules-H is making its last journey home from Afghanistan, where it has offered almost 10 years of service, now being retired.

The first CC-130E Hercules entered service in Canada in 1960, and the current CC-130H Hercules was purchased in 1996. The first of 17 new J-model CC-130s arrived in 2010 to replace the oldest aircraft in the Hercules fleet.

The CC-130 Hercules is a four-engine fixed-wing turboprop aircraft that can carry up to 78 combat troops. It is used for a wide range of missions, including troop transport, tactical airlift (both palletized and vehicular cargo), search and rescue (SAR), air-to-air refuelling (AAR), and aircrew training.

As reported by the Canadian Press colleagues, including the acting commander of Canada's troops in Afghanistan, turned out on the tarmac at Kandahar Airfield to say goodbye as Prescott and crew got ready to leave.

Source: The Canadian Press, Canada's Air Force

Canadian Forces over Libya

Did you know Canada.. Defence Minister Peter MacKay said today that Canadian Forces have conducted their first assignment as part of no-fly-zone enforcement in Libya.

For this assignment Canadian Forces made up of four CF-18 fighter jets and two CC-150 Polaris planes are part of an effort authorized by the United Nations Security Council on Friday to restrict airspace over Libya.

Snowbirds

Did you know Canada..  we've probably all seen them at an air show or outdoor event but who exactly are the Snowbirds?

The Snowbirds are officially known as the Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Squadron (CFADT). Their purpose is to demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel. Their motto is THE HATITEN RONTERIIOS (Warriors of the air).

The name Snowbirds came from a contest to give the team a formal name and was held at the CFB Moose Jaw - Base Elementary School - in June 1971. But didn't become a permanent unit until September 1977.

The next time you can see the Snowbirds in May 3, 2011 in Moose Jaw, SK for an airshow. Until then check out their website to view some fantastic promotional photos.

Source: snowbirds.dnd.ca

HMCS Charlottetown

Did you know Canada..  I'm sure by now you've all heard the HMCS Charlottetown is on her way to Libya to take part in Canadian and international evacuation operations that are already underway there and provide humanitarian relief.

The HMCS Charlottetown is based (homeported) at CFB Halifax serving MARLANT (Maritime Forces Atlantic). She's actually the third ship to carry the designation HMCS Charlottetown. Her motto is "All Challenges Squarely Met" and the ships colours are Silver and Green.

This is not the first mission for the HMCS Charlottetown, she has served in the Canadian Forces since 1995 - and it won't be the last either.

All the best HMCS Charlottetown.

Source: Canadian Navy: HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN