In this exclusive interview, LCol Rivard provides insight into the critical mandate of 442 Squadron — one of Canada’s premier Search and Rescue (SAR) units responsible for saving lives across some of the most challenging and diverse terrain in Canada.

From the rugged Pacific coastline to the demanding high-altitude environments of British Columbia’s mountains, 442 Squadron operates at the sharp end of SAR operations, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Our chat covers the yet-to-be-delivered upgraded CH-149 Cormorant helicopter; and the introduction of the CC-295 Kingfisher, Canada’s new fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft which is now integrated into 442 Squadron’s daily operations. LCol Rivard discusses how the Kingfisher is enhancing mission effectiveness, improving response capabilities, and shaping the future of SAR in Canada.

In addition, we discuss the 2025 National Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), which is again hosted by 442 Squadron and 19 Wing Comox. 

Widely regarded as the most optimum SAR training areas in the country, the Comox region offers unparalleled geographic diversity spanning from open ocean, dense coastal terrain and high mountain elevations, which makes it an ideal location to exercise and refine SAR capabilities.

LCol Rivard also speaks about the importance of the international partner nations at SAREX 2025 who train for interoperability, and who observe and share insight to tactics, techniques and procedures.

My thanks to LCol Rivard for sharing his insight on 442 Squadron and SAR in Canada.

GO BOLD!

The 24 July 2025 mission took place 300 km off the coast of Oregon and was in assistance to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) who were responding with a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to a person in medical distress onboard a commercial vessel.

The Kingfisher, belonging to 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron based at 19 Wing Canadian Forces Base Comox, was tasked to provide critical top-cover over-watch and coordination while the Jayhawk helicopter was over open ocean. 

My guest to provide a detailed, first-hand account of the five-hour mission is Capt. KP Brar, an Air Combat Systems Officer, and the Tactical Coordinator who was onboard the Kingfisher during this rescue.

You will hear Capt. Brar share how the Kingfisher and its sensors and communication systems change the way the Air Force is able to affect rescues.

This episode has historic significance to the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Armed Forces as this mission marked the first time ever that Canada’s new fixed-wing search and rescue platform undertook a rescue tasking outside Canadian airspace.

For additional context on the Kingfisher’s operational debut, I encourage you to listen to Episode 99 of GO BOLD which covers the aircraft’s first operational rescue, and Episode 102 of GO BOLD for the Kingfisher's first night rescue mission.

GO BOLD does what few others can — we profile service members in uniform and document milestone operations. These are the stories behind the missions, told by the professionals who execute them!

My thanks to Capt. Brar for sharing his time and insight on this milestone mission for the RCAF.

GO BOLD!

As the longest-serving Commander of the Pacific Fleet, Commodore Mazur brings four years of unmatched perspective on fleet readiness, operational tempo, and the evolving strategic realities of the Indo-Pacific theatre.

His insights — shaped by sustained command during an era of unprecedented global disruption — offer a rare and authoritative view into the present and future of Canada’s naval presence on the West Coast.

In this episode, Commodore Mazur explains how the Pacific Fleet emerged from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and restored operational momentum. He provides a detailed overview of the fleet’s ships, the increasing demand signal from the Government, and the complexities of deploying, sustaining, and supporting naval forces on exercises and operations at home and abroad.

Listeners will hear a deep exploration of the evolving role of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), including how the Navy is examining their potential as command platform for Mine Countermeasure operations, their possible contributions to anti-submarine warfare, operating helicopters without an embarked air detachment, potentially hosting allied helicopter detachments, and we discuss the prospects for further weaponization.

The conversation also covers new and emerging capabilities for the Halifax-class, including a new radar, the Multi-Role Boat, and the Underwater Warfare Suite Upgrade (UWSU) — with specific discussion on advancing UWSU on HMCS Ottawa. 

Commodore Mazur also outlines the development of the Advanced Naval Capabilities Unit, highlighting how uncrewed systems are shaping the Navy’s future operational concepts.

Throughout the episode, Commodore Mazur speaks thoughtfully about the future of the Pacific Fleet. You will get an appreciation for his leadership style, all in the context of the responsibility of command in an increasingly complex maritime environment.

What comes through clearly is the passion, professionalism, and strategic clarity of a leader we greatly respect.

This is an authoritative and exclusive conversation — the kind of insight you will only find here on GO BOLD — and it's another example of why GO BOLD remains the trusted platform for serious defence discourse.

My thanks to Commodore Mazur for the kindness, time and insight that he has shared with me, and congratulations on his promotion to Rear-Admiral. I wish Admiral Mazur all the best as he continues to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy.

GO BOLD!

Exercise Talisman Sabre is the largest military exercise in the Indo-Pacific this year, and it took place in Australia from July 13 to August 4.

My guest is Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremy Maltais, of the Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC). Lieutenant-Colonel Maltais was the Joint Task Force Commander for Canada's participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre, and he provides us with a senior leader’s perspective on the scope, complexity, and importance of this biennial exercise.

Exercise Talisman Sabre is bilaterally designed between Australia and the United States, and is a multilaterally planned and conducted exercise. This years exercise was the 11th and largest iteration with 19 nations participating. 

Approximately 600 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) deployed to Australia for the exercise, which consisted of live fire, field training exercises incorporating force preparation activities, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, and air combat and maritime operations.

Canada’s participation featured key assets including the C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Hercules aircraft for transport missions, a CC-144 Challenger configured for aeromedical evacuation, and the Halifax-class surface combatant HMCS Ville de Québec with its CH-148 Cyclone helicopter.

In a key serial, HMCS Ville de Québec successfully conducted the firing of a Block II Harpoon missile, and completed a forward rearmament in Darwin, marking only the second time a Royal Canadian Navy ship has done so outside North America. 

Exercise Talisman Sabre also enabled another first for Canada with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) transporting a U.S. Army HIMARS long range precision strike weapon system, demonstrating combined capability. Not only did the RCAF transport the HIMARS weapon system but they also integrated it with the C-17 to receive location information, enabling a capability called HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN).

There is much more to the Canadian participation in this years Exercise Talisman Sabre and Lieutenant-Colonel Maltais does a wonderful job of explaining the highlights, so I hope you will enjoy this episode.

My thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Maltais for his time and insight.

GO BOLD!

Commodore French provides a senior leader’s perspective on the scope, complexity, and importance of this biennial exercise which brings together the Canadian Atlantic Fleet, joint elements of the Canadian Armed Forces, and key Allied partners including the United States Navy, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Danish Navy, to advance collective defence, strengthen maritime security, and deepen international cooperation.

Along with three Halifax-class surface combatants of the Royal Canadian Navy, a key participant this year was the U.S. Navy's Los Angeles-class submarine, USS Albany. Also participating was the HDMS Vædderen, a Thetis-class ocean patrol vessel of the Royal Danish Navy.

Supporting the surface ships was the Combat Support Ship Asterix, which provides fuel and provisions to Royal Canadian Navy ships, and to allies and partners.

In the air was the CH-148 Cyclone and CP-140 Aurora aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Also participating was a P-8 Poseidon from the Royal Air Force.

New to this year's iteration of Exercise Cutlass Fury was the participation of 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron, which used their CH-149 Cormorant helicopter as part of an integrated joint Search and Rescue exercise. For this serial, a Cormorant helicopter lowered Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) to the Asterix to help augment the Asterix's hospital capability during a practice SAR event.

Commodore French breaks down how Exercise Cutlass Fury sharpened core warfighting competencies, with a particular emphasis on anti-submarine warfare and air–maritime integration, while improving interoperability across allied forces. He also reflects on what Exercise Cutlass Fury signals about Canada’s role as a reliable and capable defence partner, committed to working with allies to meet complex and evolving security challenges. 

We conclude our conversation with Commodore French sharing what is in store for the Atlantic Fleet.

This is a very informative conversation with a senior leader, so I truly hope you enjoy this episode. My thanks to Commodore French for his time and insight.

GO BOLD!

Our guest is Major Dan Faux, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot who was part of the crew which executed the first-ever operational nighttime parachute rescue from Canada’s new Airbus CC-295 Kingfisher fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft.

The mission spanning from July 14 to 15 was to rescue a person who was critically injured when crushed by his horse.

The response was led by 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron from 19 Wing Comox. They launched a CC-295 Kingfisher and a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter at approximately 9:45 p.m. for what would become a 16-hour round-trip mission to an austere area roughly 185 kilometres west of Fort Nelson, BC.

Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on 15 July, two SAR Technicians parachuted from the Kingfisher into a remote canyon about one kilometre from the casualty location. They navigated challenging terrain along a river to reach the injured person, delivered urgent medical care, and coordinated a successful helicopter extraction roughly two hours later.

Following the extraction, the patient was transferred from the Cormorant helicopter to the Kingfisher in Fort Nelson and then flown onward to Prince George for higher-level medical treatment.

The CC-295 Kingfisher entered operational service on 1 May 2025, replacing the legacy Buffalo and Hercules fleets and representing a generational shift in Canada’s fixed-wing search-and-rescue capability.

You will hear Maj. Faux speak about the rescue, how the technologies in the Kingfisher is revolutionizing search and rescue in Canada, and how the platform continues to evolve.

This episode, with its historic significance and first-hand perspective, is a great example of what we do best at Go Bold.

For additional context on the RCAF CC-295 Kingfisher’s operational debut, I encourage you to listen to Episode #99 of Go Bold which covers the aircraft’s first operational rescue!

Our thanks to Maj. Faux for his time and perspective on this milestone event in aviation and RCAF history.

GO BOLD!

Today’s conversation represents exactly what Go Bold is known for — direct, substantive, and authoritative discussions with the most senior leaders in defence and national security.

In this episode, I speak in person with the senior most officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, and that is the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan, and her colleague Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann, the senior enlisted leader of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Our wide-ranging discussion covers the full spectrum of issues facing the Canadian Armed Forces today — from operational readiness and institutional transformation, to the strategic challenges facing Canada at home and abroad.

General Carignan shares her perspectives as the country’s senior military leader, offering clarity and context on where the CAF stands, where it is heading, and what it will take to meet the demands of an increasingly complex global security environment.

Episodes like this are a hallmark of the Go Bold podcast — thoughtful, serious conversations that bring listeners inside the minds of senior military leaders, with depth, professionalism, and insight you will not find anywhere else.

My thanks to General Carignan and Chief McCann for joining me on Go Bold, and for their time and insight.

GO BOLD!

Reaching 100 episodes is no small feat, particularly in a niche as demanding and discerning as defence and national security. Many podcasts never reach this milestone, let alone with the caliber of guests that we feature. 

Go Bold has not only reached it, but has done so by demonstrating that we are a trusted, authoritative platform for in-depth conversations with senior leaders across the military and defence industry.

For this landmark 100th episode, we welcome back a leader we have been proud to host previously, Royal Canadian Navy Commodore David Mazur, Commander of Canada’s Pacific Fleet.

Anyone who has heard previous episodes with Commodore Mazur will, I believe, share my view that he is a standout leader by way of his professionalism, passion and candor.

In this episode I join Commodore Mazur on the high seas of the Eastern Pacific Ocean aboard his command ship, HMCS Regina, a front-line surface combatant of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Our focus is on Exercise Trident Fury, a Canadian-led, multinational and multi-domain exercise that represents one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s most complex and operationally relevant training events.

Commodore Mazur provides detailed insight into the scope of the exercise, the participating nations and units, and the strategic goals and objectives of Exercise Trident Fury 2025. 

Of particular note is a significant first for the Royal Canadian Navy: the Mako Demonstration, which experimented with the use of an unmanned surface vessel as a weapon system — highlighting the Navy’s focus on innovation and future warfighting concepts.

You will hear that there were many firsts during Exercise Trident Fury 2025, and I'm proud to say that only here on Go Bold will you find true contextual detail about them.

This 100th episode is an example of what we strive for at Go Bold: detail-packed, candid, and substantive conversations with senior leaders who are shaping today’s military operations and tomorrow’s capabilities.

We are proud that leading defence companies see value in supporting Go Bold discussions, and we extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, our exceptional guests, and — most importantly — our listeners.

Your engagement and trust have helped make Go Bold a leading outlet for informed, credible discussion on military operations, defence industry developments, and emerging technologies — here and on our YouTube channel.

Thank you for being part of the journey with us, and here’s to the next 100 episodes!

Go Bold!

The Kingfisher officially entered operational service on 1 May 2025. Just weeks later, on 21 May, the aircraft was tasked with its first real-world mission — responding to an aircraft crash in north eastern British Columbia near Mount Kinney.

What you will hear in this episode is a firsthand account of that first operational mission, told by the Search and Rescue personnel who carried it out.

Joining us are Captain Greg Harris, the pilot and mission commander who flew the Kingfisher on this historic mission, and Master Corporal Alain Goguen, a Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) who parachuted from the aircraft during the rescue.

Together, they walk us through what the Kingfisher is, how it performs, and how its advanced capabilities are already reshaping the way the Royal Canadian Air Force conducts Search and Rescue across Canada’s vast and demanding geography.

We are deeply grateful to Captain Harris and Master Corporal Goguen for sharing their insight and firsthand perspective, and for trusting Go Bold to share this pivotal moment in RCAF operations.

This is what we do best at Go Bold! This episode has historic significance, and we are proud to document and preserve this story for future generations.

This is one episode you don't want to miss.

Go Bold!

Commander Huntsman is a combat seasoned U.S. Navy fighter pilot who has just served as the Officer in Charge of VX-9 Detachment Edwards, and that placed him at the center of operational test and evaluation for the U.S. Navy’s most advanced tactical aircraft, the F-35.

In this episode, Commander Huntsman explains how VX-9 Detachment Edwards was established at Edwards Air Force Base, and how the Detachment plays a critical role in advancing U.S. Navy and joint warfighting capabilities. 

Drawing directly from his leadership role, he walks us through the mission of VX-9 and how operational test bridges the gap between developmental testing and fleet units, ensuring that aircraft and systems are ready for combat employment.

A major focus of the discussion is the F-35C, the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. Commander Huntsman provides an in-depth look at what makes the F-35C unique, including its design for carrier operations, its handling characteristics, and the capabilities that distinguish it from legacy naval fighters. He breaks down the nuances of the aircraft offering a rare insight into how the F-35C performs.

Commander Huntsman also shares details on current and emerging efforts within the operational test community to validate the F-35C’s capabilities across a wide range of mission sets. From weapons like the GBU-53/B StormBreaker, to systems integration, this conversation offers a level of perspective that is seldom available outside the test and evaluation enterprise.

This is a standout episode featuring a senior leader with first-hand experience at the leading edge of tactical aviation. The depth, clarity, and credibility of the insights shared underscore what sets Go Bold apart as a global leading platform for authentic, first-hand accounts from senior leaders in the military and industry.

If you are interested in tactical aviation, or operational test and evaluation, or the F-35, this episode is essential listening!

Our thanks to Commander Huntsman for his time and insight.

Go Bold!

In this episode, we continue exploring Commander Huntsman’s extraordinary flying career in the U.S. Navy — beginning with his time flying the legacy F/A-18 Hornet in combat, and moving into his work with the Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler at VX-9, the Navy’s premier operational test squadron.

This discussion is packed with unique, first-hand perspectives. You’ll hear how Commander Huntsman became the first U.S. Navy pilot to destroy an ISIS-controlled T-72 tank in Iraq. He also takes us into the high desert of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, where he flew and tested frontline fighter aircraft and contributed to some of the Navy’s most advanced weapons programs.

Commander Huntsman provides rare insight into the Navy’s newest long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-174B “Gunslinger” — a weapon derived from the ship-launched SM-6 Standard Missile and now adapted for fighter aircraft. His role in this cutting-edge program offers a first-hand look at how naval aviation is evolving for future combat.

We also head out to sea, figuratively, as he brings us aboard a U.S. Navy Super Carrier, describing his involvement in shaping the “Air Wing of the Future.” From the integration of the F-35C, to the CMV-22B Osprey, to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, Commander Huntsman explains how these platforms are transforming carrier air power for decades to come.

This is a detailed, candid, and insightful conversation with a highly decorated, combat-experienced U.S. Navy aviator, and it is the kind of senior-leader perspective that defines what we do at Go Bold.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Go Bold!

In this episode, we continue our discussion with CDR Huntsman as we dive into his experiences flying the venerable S-3 Viking.

Originally designed as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the S-3 was far more versatile than many realized. As you’ll hear, the Viking possessed a range of capabilities, both tapped and untapped, and many argue it was retired long before its time as the airframes have years of life left in them. In addition, the S-3's departure has left a gap in US Navy Carrier Air Wings that has yet to be filled.

Commander Huntsman, who was the final U.S. Navy pilot to go through the S-3 training pipeline, shares his firsthand perspective on what made the jet so special. He walks us through memorable moments from his time in the cockpit, including the VS-22 Checkmates’ deployment to Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, and everything that came with operating the Viking in that environment.

This is a rare and insightful look at an aircraft that continues to evoke admiration and it’s brought to you by a highly respected leader whose career has, in part, been shaped by the S-3 and its legacy.

Go Bold!

From a military perspective, you will hear that Commander Huntsman started his journey as a United States Marine, and then transitioned to the Navy where he learned to fly.

Ultimately, Commander Huntsman worked hard to achieve many goals as a tactical aviator. He's flown the S-3 Viking, the F-18 Hornet, the F-18 Super Hornet, the EA-18G Growler, and the F-35C Lightning II.

His most recent position was Officer in Charge for the VX-9 Detachment at Edward's Air Force Base -- for those of you that don't know, VX-9 is an operational test squadron of the US Navy. It is here where many new advancements and capabilities are validated for operational use.

This episode is one which inspires me, and I hope everyone who listens. I am excited to feature Commander Huntsman as my guest because he truly epitomizes our namesake - Go Bold - so I hope you enjoy this episode and the ones following where we will hear about his career and flying high-performance jets in the United States Navy.

My thanks to Commander Huntsman for his time, insight and perspective.

Go Bold!

My guest is retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Jim Cardoso, who flew in the rescue package. At the time, Cardoso,was a young Air Force Captain flying the impressive MH-53 Pave Low helicopter with the 20th Special Operations Squadron.

Cardoso led the rescue helicopter package on a daring night mission behind Serbian enemy lines to bring Vega 31 back — and they did it navigating through dangerous airspace, pushing the limits of both man and machine — and for his extraordinary actions, he was awarded the Silver Star.

In this episode, you'll hear an inside perspective of Air Force Special Operations, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), and the raw courage it takes to fly into the unknown to bring a fellow warrior home.

You'll hear how the mighty MH-53 Pave Low — a beast of a helicopter — was a key to that mission's success. But more importantly, you will hear all about the rescue from the man who was there, guiding his crew into harms way, and out again.

This is the kind of story that defines Go Bold! We don't just talk history — we talk to the people who made it!

As a special note, we are publishing this episode on March 27, exactly 26 years after the event you will hear.

My thanks to Colonel Cardoso for his time and kindness in sharing this story of duty, professionalism and bravery.

Strap in everyone, this is one episode of Go Bold you cannot miss!

Go Bold!

On 1 July 2024, during a formal Change of Command ceremony in Toulon, France, Commodore Coates assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two — known as SNMG2 — from Rear Admiral Yannick Bossu of the French Navy. 

SNMG2 is one of four Standing Naval Forces that operate under NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom. SNMG2 is a multinational integrated task group that projects a constant and visible reminder of the Alliance's solidarity and cohesion afloat. This continuous maritime capability performs a wide range of tasks, including exercises and real-world operations in periods of crisis and conflict.

Under Commodore Coates' leadership, HMCS Charlottetown, which deployed as part of Operation REASSURANCE, served as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two.

This was the second time Canada commanded SNMG2, although Canadian ships have often served in NATO Standing Naval Forces, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to the Defense of Alliance vital interests.

During Commodore Coates’ tenure as Commander of SNMG2, Canada led two NATO multinational groups — SNMG2 and the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. This is all part of the largest reinforcement of NATO’s collective defence in decades.

In this conversation, Commodore Coates reflects on training and leadership, and his tenure commanding SNMG2. Under the Canadian deployment, Commodore Coates commanded ships from five different Allied navies, ranging from two to a peak of five ships under his command at any one time. The group took part in the multi-domain vigilance activity Exercise Neptune Strike 24-2 and in Exercise Dynamic Guard - a NATO MARCOM-led electronic warfare and anti-ship missile defence exercise. SNMG2 also collaborated on numerous occasions with American, British, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Moroccan, Romanian, Turkish, and Spanish units under national operational control. This included HMCS Charlottetown escorting the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), made up of United States Ship (USS) Wasp (LHD 1), USS New York (LPD 21), and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as it sailed through the Mediterranean Sea.

Commodore Coates handed over command of SNMG2 to Rear Admiral (LH) H. İlker Avcı of the Turkish Navy on 3 December 2024, during a ceremony at Aksaz Naval Base.

We hope you enjoy this candid and compelling discussion with a senior naval leader.

Our thanks to Commodore Coates for his time and insight.

Go Bold!

Billie played a key role in the testing and validation of Auto-GCAS, a system designed to automatically take control of a jet when a pilot becomes disoriented, incapacitated, or unaware of impending terrain impact. This tech has already saved dozens of lives — and counting. But astonishingly, not all high-performance aircraft are equipped with it.

Why? That’s one of the hard-hitting questions we tackle in this conversation.

With firsthand insight from a pilot who has flown the edge of the envelope and lost friends to preventable crashes, Billie speaks passionately about why Auto-GCAS matters, and how it could —and should — expand beyond military aviation into general and commercial aviation.

Whether you’re a pilot, aviation enthusiast, or simply curious about cutting-edge technology, this episode offers a rare look behind the scenes of a system that is truly changing the game — and saving lives.

Strap in for an unforgettable conversation with a test pilot who helped bring Auto-GCAS to life.

Only on Go Bold!

Commodore Mazur begins by unpacking a landmark event: the forward re-arm of a Halifax-class warship in Australia with Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles. This marks the first time Canada’s Navy has demonstrated the ability to re-arm a major warship in a remote or non-traditional location. With clarity and insight, Commodore Mazur explains why this capability is a game-changer. From operational flexibility in distant theaters to real-world readiness in uncertain environments, this exercise highlights the Navy’s ability to project power and sustain operations far from home waters.

Next, we dive into the Joint Littoral Targeting Exercise (JoLTEX) — a major milestone in Canadian naval operations. For the first time, a Halifax-class warship not only launched Harpoon missiles but did so by executing the full targeting chain, including real-time command, control, and targeting directives from higher headquarters. Commodore Mazur guides us through the complexity and significance of this breakthrough, which signals a new era in dynamic targeting and land attack capabilities. As the Royal Canadian Navy looks ahead to the future River-class destroyers, this exercise lays essential groundwork for greater operational reach and lethality.

This episode of Go Bold offers a rare inside look at the strategic decisions shaping the Navy’s future. Commodore Mazur’s leadership and vision shine through as he explains how these exercises are not just tactical achievements — they are steps toward a more agile, capable, and forward-thinking maritime force.

Listen in for a masterclass in maritime strategy and capability development, straight from the front lines of naval innovation.

Our thanks to Commodore Mazur for his time, kindness and professional insight.

Go Bold!

**Don't forget to like and subscribe to the "Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala" YouTube channel for exclusive videos!

Lieutenant-Colonel Faith is a CF-18 Hornet fighter pilot and a true subject matter expert in Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT), so our episode today is a front-row seat to what it’s really like to train and fly as a fighter pilot in today’s Royal Canadian Air Force.

LtCol Faith shares his motivation to serve, and he describes highlights of his career flying fighter jets in Canada as part of NORAD, and in combat over Libya.

We then dive into the world of advanced pilot training, including Canada’s involvement in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) which takes place at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Faith takes us into the cockpit, sharing his perspective on new technologies like Virtual Reality which is facilitating modern pilot training, and he provides his insight on the Hawk jet trainer that was used by the RCAF, and the T-38 Talon supersonic trainer that is used at ENJJPT.

This is more than just an interview - it’s a masterclass from someone who is passionate about training the next generation of fighter pilots.

Our thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Faith for the time he shared with us, and for his expert perspective.

Go Bold!

For this exercise, the Royal Canadian Navy for the first time successfully executed the entire strategic planning and targeting chain to project power from the sea to the shore, which ultimately led to the launch of Harpoon Block II Missiles from HMCS Regina, a Halifax class surface combatant warship which was operating in the United States Navy's Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of California.

JoLTEX developed and tested targeting processes, including firing a surface-to-surface missile against a simulated surface combatant. The exercise supported the Royal Canadian Navy’s ability to employ sea-based weapons against targets on or near land.

JoLTEX 24 progressed several capabilities, including synchronizing communication pathways with a deployed warship, the development of targets in the maritime domain, and certifying that the tasked asset was able to successfully engage its onboard Harpoon Block II missile system.

This episode dives into details of the exercise, offering you an unparalleled look into how the Navy is honing its capabilities.

These are the kinds of insights you won’t find anywhere else, making this a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand the cutting edge of naval operations.

Our thanks to Commander Smith for his time and insight.

Go Bold!

Our topic is Exercise Kakadu, which is a biennial exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and is supported by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Exercise Kakadu is the RAN’s flagship regional international engagement activity and has grown in size and complexity since its inception in 1993.

Exercise Kakadu provides an opportunity for regional partners to undertake multinational maritime activities through a broad spectrum of activities, from constabulary and humanitarian operations, to high-end maritime warfare in a combined environment.

For those that are interested for more context, please listen to Episode 45 of Go Bold, where we spoke with Australian Navy Captain Pete Bartlett about the previous iteration of Exercise Kakadu.  

For this year, Exercise Kakadu took place from September 9 to 20, and was the largest and most diverse iteration of the exercise yet.

Nearly 3,000 personnel from over 30 countries, ships from 10 countries, and aircraft from five nations all gathered at the North Australian exercise area which was centered at Darwin.

Canada was one of the participants with HMCS Vancouver taking part, and Commodore Mazur had the privilege to lead a Task Group at sea during the exercise.

You will hear Commodore Mazur's reflections on the exercise, which started with a large Fleet Commanders Conference.

You'll hear about the ships that participated and the type of warfare they exercised, including serials against a submarine and 5th Generation fighter jets.

The Commodore shares lessons from the exercise and how he will leverage them for Canada's upcoming Exercise Trident Fury in 2025.

This wide-ranging discussion offers a rare glimpse into the intricacies of one of the world’s most complex maritime exercises so it is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in the strategic importance of maritime operations and the leadership behind large-scale multinational exercises.

This is a conversation that you will only find here on Go Bold, the platform that is uniquely known to feature the voices of senior military leaders from Allied Forces.

Our thanks to Commodore Mazur for his time and kindness.

Go Bold!

Camp Adazi is a major military installation of the Latvian National Armed Forces, and it is also the main base for the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia.

Joining me for this episode is Lieutenant-Colonel Philippe Tremblay, a Canadian Army Officer who is serving as the Chief of Staff for the NATO Multinational Brigade.

As Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-Colonel Tremblay has detailed institutional knowledge about the makeup and activities of the Brigade. You will hear context on how it is evolving, and some of the intricacies that Canada faces in leading this critical defensive force on the Eastern flank of the NATO Alliance.

It's a fascinating perspective from a senior leader in the Brigade, and one that will give insight on how land warfare is evolving.

I want to thank LtCol Tremblay for his time and kindness to help explain how Canada is leading the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia.

Go Bold!

For those who are unfamiliar with RIMPAC, it is the largest military exercise in the world in the maritime domain, and is hosted by the United States Navy 3rd Fleet. RIMPAC brings together forces from multiple nations to enhance interoperability and readiness in complex maritime operations.

During RIMPAC 2024, Commodore Monaghan had the responsibility of commanding and controlling a multinational force comprised of several Task Forces, including 40 ships and 3 submarines, as they executed a series of challenging scenarios.

In this episode, Commodore Monaghan will walk us through some of the major aspects of the 2024 RIMPAC exercise, including a large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) serial, the innovative use of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and the SinkEx serials that showcased the US Air Force’s QUICKSINK weapon capability.

Additionally, Commodore Monaghan will share insights on the significant contributions made by Royal Canadian Navy ships; including the first-ever participation of a Harry DeWolf class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel, new records set by the Combat Support Ship Asterix, and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile firings by HMCS Vancouver.

This wide-ranging discussion offers a rare glimpse into the intricacies of one of the world’s most complex military exercises and the advanced capabilities of Allied Forces.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in the strategic importance of maritime operations and the leadership behind such large-scale multinational exercises.

Tune in to this episode for exclusive insights from a senior military leader in the Royal Canadian Navy, which you only will find here on Go Bold, the platform that is trusted to feature the voices of senior military leaders from Allied Forces.

Our thanks to Commodore Monaghan for his time and kindness.

Also, don't forget to like and subscribe to the "Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala" YouTube channel which has unique and exclusive videos!

Go Bold!

Our visit coincided with Exercise Silver Arrow, a major combat readiness evaluation, which gave us an inside look at NATO's efforts to reinforce its Eastern flank.

Colonel Aspirault takes us through NATO’s strategic importance in the region, and highlights Canada's leadership role as the framework nation for the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia.

We’ll dive into how the Brigade has evolved from a Battlegroup, and how Canada is expanding its presence in Latvia with a new camp and Brigade headquarters, and new air detachment facilities.

Plus, you’ll hear how Canada is taking its renowned Maple Resolve high-end training exercise and moving it to Latvia and is rebranding it as Exercise Oak Resolve so the entire NATO Multinational Brigade can train together.

This is an important conversation with a senior leader, straight from the heart of NATO's mission in Latvia!

Note: If you haven't already listened to them, I encourage you to listen to Episodes 74 & 75 where we spoke with Lieutenant-Colonel Marc Kieley, who discussed Operational Planning for the Canadian Army. Those were wonderfully detailed and insightful episodes which will help add context to this episode.

I also want to share that this episode is accompanied by exclusive videos that you can find on the "Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala" YouTube channel, where we’ve posted videos of the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade in action at Camp Adazi!

Please make sure to subscribe to the "Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala" YouTube channel so you don’t miss out!

Our thanks to Colonel Aspirault for his time, and to the men and women who helped facilitate our visit to Camp Adazi in Latvia.

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With a career built on flying fighter jets, including flying in combat, the General is now leading critical modernization efforts for Canada's fighter force. General Menard's position at the time of our interview was the Chief of Fighter Capability and Chief of NORAD Capability for the RCAF.

General Menard is uniquely positioned to offer an insider's perspective on the modernization of the CF-18 Hornet and all that entails, including the introduction of new weapons for the fighter force, while also being focused on the future of Canada’s fighter capability.

In this episode you will hear the General take us through his personal journey of flying the CF-18 Hornet, the evolution of Canada's fighter force, and the complex efforts that are shaping the transition to the 5th Generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The General also shares details about NORAD Modernization.

Having leaders of the caliber of Major-General Menard as guests on Go Bold is what sets us apart from all other podcasts — Go Bold is the GO-TO platform where senior military leaders come to discuss their work and their vision in ways that you won't hear anywhere else. 

We want to thank Major-General Menard for his time and kindness, and for his service to the Nation.

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As one of the leaders responsible for employing Canadian Armed Forces members on domestic and international operations, Major-General Molstad brings a wealth of insight from the front lines of global security.

In this episode, he’ll take us through his personal journey flying CF-18 Hornet fighter jets, and he'll offer his perspective on the global security environment which is more tenuous today than it has been in decades.

The General will discuss Canada's defence posture, the challenges of coordinating operations across the globe, and how the Canadian Armed Forces are rising to meet those challenges.

Having leaders like Major-General Molstad as a guest reinforces what makes Go Bold stand out: this is the GO-TO podcast where senior military leaders come to discuss their work and vision in ways you won't hear anywhere else!

If you want an in-depth understanding of Canada’s role on the world stage, and the men and women behind its military operations, this episode is for you!

Please make sure to subscribe and follow us, because the insights shared here on Go Bold are truly one-of-a-kind.

Our thanks to Major-General Molstad for his professionalism, and for the time he shared with us.

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That chat was a wonderful insight into flying and fighting the F-22 Raptor, so if you haven't heard it, you're definitely missing out!

For this episode, I thought we would continue the theme of employing military platforms, so the topic of this episode is fighting the Halifax Class warship, which is a surface combatant frigate that is operated by the Royal Canadian Navy.

My guest is Commander Sam Patchell, the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Canadian Ship Ottawa (FFH 341). We visited with Commander Patchell in his Captains quarters on HMCS Ottawa, and we also chat with him on the bridge of the ship. We also had the very rare opportunity to visit the Operations Room of the warship -- an area that is often restricted to military personnel only!

Commander Patchell was kind to share his motivation to serve, and he does a wonderful job explaining the weapons capabilities of the Halifax class frigates, and how the Navy would fight the ship in combat.

It's a fascinating and informative discussion which I really hope you will enjoy.

If you want to see our discussion and the ship, please check out our YouTube channel which is the same name as this podcast: Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala, and look for Go Bold Season 2 Episode 1. I think you'll really enjoy it, and I hope you will like and subscribe to the channel which has a lot of great videos, so please subscribe so you don't miss any of our great guests and topics!

My thanks to Commander Patchell, and to the sailors of HMCS Ottawa for making our visit a great one!

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My guest for this episode is Captain Stephen Kane, a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-18 Hornet fighter pilot who is currently on exchange with the United States Air Force (USAF).

Capt. Kane is the only active-duty Canadian fighter pilot currently flying the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, the most advanced and only air dominance fighter on the planet!

The F-22 is a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force, and is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances. The F-22 is a combination of stealth, super-cruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics that represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities when compared to previous generation fighter aircraft.

Capt. Kane is assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron, also known as the Bulldogs, which is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.

Capt. Kane is the second RCAF pilot to participate in the F-22 exchange program, making him one of a select few foreign pilots to fly the F-22 Raptor which is unique to the U.S. Air Force.

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fleet is currently based at Joint-Base Langley-Eustis, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Eglin AFB, Nellis AFB, and Edwards AFB. The type previously operated from Tyndall AFB and Holloman AFB.

The Raptor’s primary missions consist of Offensive Counter-Air (OCA), Defensive Counter-Air (DCA), and an air-to-ground capability.

As a mission qualified fighter pilot with the 525th Fighter Squadron, Capt. Kane can be deployed worldwide as required by the USAF.

We’ll dive deep into what it’s like to fly the F-22, and how 5th Generation capabilities are reshaping air combat.

We also delve into what that means for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s future as the service eyes cutting-edge advancements as it prepares to induct the 5th Generation F-35 into service.

This episode is packed with insights, and of course, we’ll also get a rare, inside look at the training and missions of an elite fighter pilot who’s pushing the boundaries of modern warfare.

My thanks to Capt. Kane, and to the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and the U.S. Air Force for enabling this conversation.

To get another perspective of the mighty F-22 Raptor, please visit our "Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala" YouTube channel for a video which features Capt. Samuel Larson, a U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter pilot and the demo pilot for the F-22 Raptor Demo Team! It's a great video which describes the Raptor, and the newly modified demo routine!

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Captain Matthews was speaking to me from the CTF-150 headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which is also the headquarters for the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a multinational naval partnership of 46 nations that focuses on counter-terrorism, counter-piracy, maritime security, and regional cooperation. 

The Combined Maritime Forces is the world’s largest international naval partnership, and it's goal is to promote stability, security, and prosperity in international waters, including some of the world's most important shipping lanes. 

CTF-150 is one of five task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces, and its core staff consists of Australians, Bahrainis, Canadians, and New Zealanders.

In this episode you will hear about Canada's leadership of CTF-150, which began in January 2024.

Highlights during the nearly seven month tenure of Canada's leadership included seven successful drug interdiction's at sea, with more than 11,600 kg of illegal narcotics seized.

Notably, you will hear how CTF-150 used space-based intelligence from Canada's RADARSAT-2 satellite, a capability that will be an ongoing asset to the Combined Maritime Forces as appropriate.

The tenure of Canada's command of CTF-150 has been concurrent with the kinetic actions that are happening in the Red Sea, so I asked Captain Matthews how that combat action impacted CTF-150.

Other notable events you will hear about during Canada's command of CTF-150 was the interdiction of a ship transporting advanced conventional weapons.

You'll also hear how India participated for the first time, and how they conducted their largest ever drug interdiction to date.

This is a fascinating chat with a senior military leader, so I hope you enjoy this episode with Captain Colin Matthews, the Commander of CTF-150 (until July 22, 2024).

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We first featured Colonel Horner in Episode 69, where he shared his memories of serving in the Afghanistan theatre, and that was to honour the 10 year mark of Canada's withdrawal from that country. If you haven't heard it, you're missing out on a great chat, so I strongly recommend you tune in to Episode 69 for that discussion.

Our focus for this episode is the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre (CJWC) where Colonel Horner is the Commanding Officer.

The Canadian Joint Warfare Centre is a centre of excellence that assists the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in finding ways to operate as a Joint Force to face the ever-evolving operational environment by implementing best practices, novel concepts and accelerating the adoption of available and emerging tools and technologies.

Part of the reason of doing this is because the Canadian Armed Forces, and allied militaries for that matter, need to be able to quickly and efficiently absorb data, like that from Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, among others, and be able to process, exploit and disseminate it to the Joint Force.

If some of that sounds familiar, then you have likely heard our last 2 episodes (Episodes 77 and 78), where we had the great pleasure to speak with Brigadier-General Andy Clark, the Commanding General of NATO's ISR Force.

Those two episodes are some of the most informative you will hear about the capabilities of NATO's ISR Force, and they are a wonderful precursor to this episode about the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre, which works around a core of Command, Control and Intelligence.

Colonel Horner does a fantastic job to explain the multi-domain challenges faced by the Joint Force and how the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre has a number of initiatives which are focused on the goal of continually preparing the Canadian Armed Forces to be better able to achieve operational effects across the full spectrum of conflict.

You'll hear about Canadian Joint Warfare Center experimentation activities which includes collaboration with NATO and Allies. Examples include wargaming in the Space domain; and wargaming and modeling and simulation on the future of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

All said, the efforts of the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre are about evolving doctrine and enabling the Joint Force to make decisions faster than adversaries.

This is an incredibly fascinating discussion, so I want to thank Colonel Horner for his time and insight on CJWC's march towards decision superiority.

We also congratulate Colonel Horner on his recent promotion to Brigadier-General!

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We spoke about the formation and makeup of the NATO ISR Force, which as one would understand with an active war in Europe, is experiencing tasking demand that is greater today than ever before.

In this episode we continue our exclusive chat with General Clark as we speak about the NATO ISR Force and its RQ-4D Phoenix high-altitude long endurance uninhabited aerial vehicle, and its Synthetic Aperture Radar and Moving Target Indicator technology.

We talk about how the autonomous aircraft is operated and how it is tasked. We also discuss synergy with similar aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and the United States Navy.

We also talk about training, and the future of the NATO ISR Force, and we get some insight on what the General is thinking for the future of the capability that he is focused on.

The two episodes with General Clark are arguably some of the most detailed and insightful perspectives you will find on the NATO ISR Force, so we hope you enjoy these conversations and we hope you will come away with a true appreciation for the organization, its capabilities, and a sense of what the future may hold.

I want to thank Brigadier-General Clark for his time, kindness and insight.

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(ISR = Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance).

Having General Clark as a guest is a true honor as I've found him to be a wonderfully personable leader who is forthright and passionate in his remit.

My exclusive chat with General Clark spanned two wide ranging conversations, so in this episode you'll hear a bit about his operational history, but the majority of our chat focuses on NATO's ISR Force, which some may remember by its previous name of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force.

The NATO ISR Force currently has 25 member nations active in the organization, and it operates a fleet of five RQ-4D Phoenix high-altitude long endurance uninhabited aerial system aircraft. These aircraft are fitted with a Synthetic Aperture Radar, and Moving Target Indicator technology. The ISR information that these platforms collect, along with other contributions, are processed and made available to all 32 member nations of the NATO Alliance.

I'm particularly honored to have the privilege to speak with General Clark as 2024 marks the 75 Anniversary for NATO, which arguably has a renewed focus on defence of the Alliance in light of Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Since that time, NATO’s ISR Force has become increasingly important in generating ISR data for the Alliance.

You'll hear all about that and much more in this episode and in the next as there are many aspects about NATO's ISR Force that we discussed.

These episodes are incredibly informative so I want to thank Brigadier-General Clark for his time, kindness and insight.

Go Bold!

RIMPAC is the biggest naval exercise in the world and it is held primarily in the waters around Hawaii. 

RIMPAC 2024 will see 29 nations, 40 ships and numerous aircraft participate. One of those ships is His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Max Bernays, the newest ship in Canada's Pacific Fleet.

HMCS Max Bernays is a Harry DeWolf class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV). These ships operate primarily in a constabulary role and have the ability to carry out a number of missions.

At approximately 6,500 tons, Canada's AOPVs have a lot of capability with their special spaces, large quarterback, large flight deck, and the ability to operate in first year sea ice. 

Being a new class of ship means that they are not without issues however, so we will discuss some of them in this episode.

What's not commonly known however are some of the operating limitations that exist due to the lengthy process to certify capabilities for the class.

Joining me to speak about the Royal Canadian Navy's participation in RIMPAC 2024 is Commodore David Mazur, the Commander of Canada's Pacific Fleet.

It is ships under his command that are participating in RIMPAC, They are: HMCS Max Bernays, HMCS Vancouver, and the Combat Support Ship MV Asterix.  

Our focus of this episode is to discuss the rationale for the Navy to deploy HMCS Max Bernays to RIMPAC 2024 -- it will be the first of Canada's new AOPVs to take part in the exercise -- and to discuss the process to configure the ship to best contribute to the exercise. 

You'll learn that there is a lot of forethought to this decision, and much effort to unlock capability in the ship. In doing so, the Canadian Pacific Fleet is unlocking capability for the entire Harry DeWolf class.

Our chat took place on 18 June 2024, the day that HMCS Max Bernays set sail for Hawaii. This episode is a fascinating discussion with candid perspective, so I'm confident you will come away from this episode with a better understanding of Canada's Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels, and an appreciation for a senior military leader who I have great respect for.

My thanks to Commodore David Mazur for his time, insight and candor.

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Our last episode provided amazing insight on Canada's growing mission in Latvia, which is in support of NATO efforts to strengthen the Eastern flank of the Alliance in the wake of Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. 

As one would expect, the mission centers on land forces, and Colonel Kieley did a wonderful job to help define the mission and how it is growing.

We spoke about the evolution of the Army's major training exercise, and reasons for pivoting that to Europe.

We pick up from our last episode with Lieutenant-Colonel Keiley speaking about Urgent Operational Requirements for the Army, which includes anti-armour weapon systems, ground-based air defence systems, counter-UAS systems, and so much more!

We also discuss the Army's combat vehicle fleet, which includes the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) 6.0, the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV), and Leopard tanks. In addition, we discuss the logistics fleet including mention of the Logistics Vehicle Modernization project and the resurrection of the Army's Armoured Heavy Support Vehicle Systems (AHSVS) fleet.

We also discuss how the Canadian Army is evolving with a view to embrace new capabilities and new concept of operations.

These two episodes (74 and 75) are some of the most detailed and forthright perspectives one will hear about the Canadian Army, and is a clear example of the wonderful, professional leader that LtCol Kieley is.

I am confident listeners will come come away from these two episodes with a much better understanding of the Canadian Army, and its focus for the immediate future.

I want to thank LtCol Kieley for his time and insight.

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We previously featured Colonel Keiley in Episode 65 where he was kind to share his memories and reflections on combat deployments in Afghanistan.

For this episode, Colonel Kieley is speaking in his position as the Army's G35, and that means he is the Section Head for Operational Plans for the Canadian Army.

In our wide-ranging discussion, we discuss the structure of the Army, its capabilities, signature training exercises, and we delve into the vehicles and weapon systems that the Army utilizes, and what it might need moving forward.

Our chat focuses heavily on the Army's plans for its growing presence in Latvia, which is its biggest commitment and therefore the most important driver of operational plans for the Army.

The mission in Latvia is in support of NATO's efforts to strengthen the Eastern flank of the Alliance in the wake of Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

We discuss the Canadian Armed Forces current posture in Latvia, and what is planned for its growth from a Canadian-led multinational Battlegroup to a Canadian-led multinational Brigade.

The Colonel also shares how the evolution of this mission is leading the Army to shift its major training event from Canada to Europe.

Our conversation provides some of the best insight into the Army of today and the immediate future so I can assure you that you will not find more detailed information, along with context, than you will here!

This is Part 1 of our 2 episode chat, so please look for our next episode where we continue our chat with Lieutenant-Colonel Kieley to discuss Operational Planning for the Canadian Army, including vehicles, weapon systems and Urgent Operational Requirements for the Army.

Our thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Kieley for his time and insight on the Canadian Army.

Go Bold!

There are four hovercraft in service with the Canadian Coast Guard. Two are based in Eastern Canada, and two are based in British Columbia.

Hovercraft are incredibly versatile platforms. In the military, the best known examples are the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), which are operated by the United States Navy. These hovercraft are used by well deck-equipped amphibious landing ships, Expeditionary Sea Base, and Expeditionary Transfer Docks to transport large vehicles and cargo to shore. 

The US Navy LCACs are being replaced by the Ship to Shore Connector, which is also known at the LCAC 100 class. These newer generation craft will offer a number of improvements including more powerful and efficient engines, and increased capacity to cope with the growing weight of equipment used by the United States Marine Corps, Navy and Army.

In Canada, I had the privilege to go aboard the Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft Moytel when it was in Victoria, British Columbia, and I had the pleasure to speak with Paul Tobin, the Officer in Command.

In this episode you will hear about the capabilities of the hovercraft Moytel, and future plans for the capability -- those plans are part of the Canadian Coast Guards fleet renewal plan, which in part calls for the acquisition of four new Air Cushion Vehicles (ACV), which are otherwise known as hovercraft. The new Canadian Coast Guard ACVs will be designed with fully modernized systems, and a propulsion system integrating green technologies to reduce carbon emissions.

The procurement of the four ACVs falls under the Small Vessels construction pillar of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, and it is expected that all four ACVs will be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard starting in 2030.

I want to thank Paul Tobin of the Canadian Coast Guard for his time and kindness, and I want to thank him and his crew for the great tour of the hovercraft Moytel.

You can see the Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft Moytel on our YouTube channel -- search for "Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala" and please like and subscribe so you don't miss any of our great videos!

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Our episode today is an effort to discuss the transformation that the Ukrainian Air Force is making from former Soviet Union or Russian aircraft to western fighter aircraft.

Ukraine has been defending themselves against Russian forces since they invaded Crimea in 2014, and then re-attacked in early 2022.

At the start of the war Ukraine had around 125 warplanes. Reports indicate that have lost around 80 jets, but numbers of aircraft have been bolstered by the donation of similar types of aircraft from some of the former Soviet states. 

There is no doubt that Ukrainian pilots have performed heroically against overwhelming odds. With that said, the Ukrainian Air Force has faced significant challenges with aging fleets of aircraft and sustainment issues which make their fleets increasingly difficult to field.

Ukraine has therefore spent many months lobbying for western combat aircraft, especially F-16's, which they believe will help them better defend their country.

A number of countries like Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and Norway, have pledged F-16s to Ukraine; and Ukrainian Air Force pilots have been training in a number of countries to get proficient on flying the western jet, with Denmark being one of those countries.

For this episode, I thought it would be informative to get a sense of what Ukrainian pilots are experiencing as they transition to a new platform like the F-16.

To do this I am pleased to introduce a wonderful friend to me and to this podcast, fighter pilot Nick Graham, who flew the Tornado F3 and the Eurofighter Typhoon in the Royal Air Force (RAF), and also the F-16 when on exchange in Denmark.

I've asked Nick to participate in this chat because his experience of learning to fly the F-16 in Denmark provides excellent insight on what Ukrainian pilots are experiencing as they shift from MiG and Sukhoi aircraft to the F-16.

I am very thankful to Nick for taking the time to share his professional fighter pilot experience, and his insight and perspectives on this topic.

We wish Ukraine success in their fight to defend their country!

Go Bold!

Submarines are high-value strategic platforms. They are incredibly complex, and they utilize stealth and deceptive tactics to carry out their roles -- these include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, mine warfare, land attack, multi-spectrum intelligence operations, special forces support, and so much more. 

Getting to the point to employ these capabilities takes many years of training and specialization, which you will learn in this episode.

Canada operated the Oberon-class submarines from the 1960s to the 1990s, after which the service brought into service 4 Victoria-class diesel-electric submarines, which are former Upholder class subs from the Royal Navy. These submarines have been challenging to support, but they provide incredible capability to the Navy when deployed.

You can see inside Canada's Victoria-class submarines on our Go Bold YouTube channel, where we were privileged to visit with the crew of HMCS Corner Brook. We have two videos on there where you'll get an appreciation for what its like to be a submariner in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Canada has now begun the process to acquire new conventional submarines through the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, so we will highlight that program in future episodes of Go Bold.

For this episode you will get a sense of the process to become a submariner, and also a commanding officer of a front line attack submarine as Captain Kooiman shares his journey in the Royal Canadian Navy, and his experiences on exchange with allies.

I want to thank Captain Kooiman for his time and kindness, and we look forward to having him back on Go Bold in the near future.

Happy 110th Anniversary to the Canadian Submarine Force!

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Maj. Handy is fighter pilot and instructor pilot, and he is currently the Boss of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, which is better known as the Snowbirds Air demonstration team.

The Snowbirds are truly ironic, and they are world renowned for the majestic 9 aircraft formation and aerobatic routines that they perform all over North America. 

The team is tasked with representing the Royal Canadian Air Force, and in fact the entirety of the Canadian Armed Forces, and 2024 is an extra special year as this is the 100th Anniversary of the RCAF!

I'm thrilled that we have Maj. Handy as a guest to speak about service, flying fighter jets, and leading the Snowbirds team for 2024. You'll hear us discuss the CT-114 Tutor aircraft that the Snowbirds fly, modernizing that aircraft, and the hurdles the team faces. We also discuss the future of the team.

It's a great chat with a leader who is kind, pragmatic and sincere, so I hope you enjoy our conversation. I guarantee you will find it interesting and you'll learn a lot.

Our thanks to Maj. Handy for the time he spent with us.

Go Bold!

In Episode 64 we had the privilege to speak with Major-General Mike St-Louis, and in Episode 65 with Lieutenant-Colonel Marc Kieley, both of whom are senior leaders in the Canadian Army. They were great conversations with wonderful perspectives, so I highly encourage you to listen to those discussions.

For this episode, I am very happy to welcome another great leader, and that is Colonel Chris Horner of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). 

Colonel Horner's experience in Afghanistan is from a different perspective from that of his Army colleagues because he was thousands of feet above the ground while on exchange with the United States Air Force (USAF), where he was serving as an Air Battle Manager on a E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft of the 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron.

It's a perspective one doesn't hear too often in the context of counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan, but it is significant because what he and his colleagues did in the air had very real significance to those on the ground.

You'll find the Colonels reflections forthright, informative and at times emotional, and our conversation delved into dealing with adversity and leadership lessons that ensued.

We also discuss the recent Defence Policy Update which was released by the Government of Canada, which outlines plans to acquire an airborne early warning capability. It's a wonderful perspective on that capability.

I want to recognize that Colonel Horner is serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force, which this year is celebrating its 100th Anniversary, so if you haven't heard Episode 67, you'll definitely want to hear that as well because we had the privilege to speak with Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was a great chat where we discussed all about the RCAF of today and the RCAF of the future! It's a great chat that you do not want to miss!

I'm very thankful to Colonel Horner for the time he spent with me, and for his candid reflections about serving during combat operations in Afghanistan. 

Go Bold!

Joining for this episode is retired Lieutenant-Colonel Billie Flynn, who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for 23 years.

In 1984 Flynn was selected to be a pipeliner for the RCAF's new CF-18 Hornet fighter, and ultimately rose in the ranks to become the Commanding Officer of 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron.

During his time as Commanding Officer, Colonel Flynn also served as the Commander of Task Force Aviano, the unit of the Canadian Armed Forces that implemented Operation Echo in support of Operation Allied Force; it was there that he led the formation of the "Balkan Rats" and flew combat missions over Kosovo and the former Republic of Yugoslavia.

The Task Force Aviano combat unit received Battle Honours from Queen Elizabeth II, the first such distinction for a Canadian fighting unit since World War II.

Flynn's 40+ year flying experience includes fighter and test pilot service with the RCAF, the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and NASA. After retiring from the RCAF, Flynn flew as a civilian test pilot for the Eurofighter Typhoon, and later flew as a Senior Test Pilot for the F-35.

In this episode you will hear Colonel Flynn's first hand perspective about the RCAF's large fighter force (18 CF-18 jets) which conducted combat operations during Operation Allied Force. He describes the genesis of the "Balkan Rats" and how he and the RCAF fighter force executed on their taskings, and all told flew on 10% of all bombing missions.

Flynn also shares his memory of being in the Combined Air Operations Center during the rescue of Vega 31, the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter (actually an attack aircraft) that was shot down on 27 Match 1999.

It's a fascinating first-hand perspective on the RCAF's fighter force during Operation Allied Force. We publish this episode to commemorate and honor their service.

Go Bold!

I am honored that the General spent time to speak about his motivation to serve, and speak about the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Centennial celebrations, and the seismic modernization that the Force has embarked on.

In this episode you will hear about the challenges faced by the RCAF, the threat vectors as seen by the General, and you will get a detailed appreciation for the new fleets of aircraft and capabilities the RCAF will soon induct into service.

We chat about how the Air Force needs to adapt to ever-changing threat environment and how the Force needs to adopt long-range and precision guided stand-off munitions to counter threats on land and at sea.

You'll also hear the General's thoughts on the future of the RCAF beyond 2035.

This is a must-hear, fascinating and wide-ranging discussion from the Commanding General that leads the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Our thanks to Lieutenant-General Kenny for the time he spent with us. Happy 100th Anniversary to the RCAF!

Go Bold!

General Hodges is a graduate of the West Point Military Academy, and in recent years has been Senior Advisor to Human Rights First, and also serves as NATO Senior Mentor for Logistics. He previously held the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

I first met Lieutenant-General Hodges in Portugal when he was serving as the Commanding General for US Army Europe. He was kind to extend time to me then, and is continuing that kindness as a guest for this episode where we discuss service in the context of his time in uniform.

A notable part of our discussion focuses on the events from Camp Pennsylvania in Kuwait, the site of a fatal grenade attack which killed soldiers and left the General with shrapnel wounds.. You'll hear the General describe what happened that night and the chain of events which he said saved his life.

We then shift our focus to the war in Ukraine, which General Hodges is eminently qualified to comment on since much of his career was focused on Europe and NATO. We discuss Ukraine's efforts to fight off the Russian invasion, and how allies are postured to repel further Russian aggression with NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroups and Brigades. The General also shares his thoughts on land warfare as it is evolving from Ukraine, and things that allies could do to help in that effort.

It's a wonderful discussion with a globally recognized military expert, so we hope you find our discussion informative.

My thanks to Lieutenant-General Hodges for his time, insight and kindness.

Go Bold!

(Note: Our discussion took place on 18 March 2024)

Colonel Kieley joined the Army as a direct entry officer, and I can tell you that he is one of the most conscientious, intelligent and engaging Army leaders that I know, so I am thankful for the extended time that he shared.

You'll hear Colonel Kieley describe his experiences in Afghanistan with a theme characterized by friction.

The Colonel shares a spectrum of experiences ranging from the comical, like an EOD team blowing up their own weapon, to the serious where a suspected IED bomber who may have killed a Canadian soldier is captured.

I am very confident you will find the Colonel's reflections interesting and informative, and particularly insightful as we discuss the type of foundational lessons to retain from the counterinsurgency operation, and how that differs from the current need to focus on peer adversaries.

The Colonel also shares his perspective on the outcome of the counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan, which I think is thoughtful and measured, and important to hear. You'll also hear the Colonel share one of his most important lessons in leadership and sending people into harms way.

This is a must hear episode, so we thank Lieutenant-Colonel Marc Kieley for the time he shared with us. We thank him and all his colleagues for their service.

Go Bold!

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For active or retired service members who are listening and feel that you need some help or support, please reference the following contact numbers, and please remember that there is no shame in asking for help as these resources are here for you.

In Canada: A confidential and free service available 24/7 to Veterans, former RCMP members, their family members, and caregivers. Call 1-800-268-7708.

In the US: For the Military Crisis Line / Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, dial 988 then press 1, or access online chat by texting 838255.

In the UK: Samaritans provides a 24/7 safe place to talk about anything that's bothering you. Tel: 116 123

Also in the UK, Combat Stress/Rethink offer a 24 hour freephone helpline if you have concerns about your mental health. The number to call is 0800 138 1619. They provide emotional support, a listening ear and signposting service.

For this episode I am honored to welcome back Major-General Michel-Henri St-Louis, a Canadian Army General who is currently serving as the Canadian Defence Attache to the United States, and a warfighter who served in Afghanistan.

Major-General St-Louis is an Infantry officer who holds 3 masters degrees focused on war studies, military history, and strategy and defence. He has deployed on 5 overseas missions including Bosnia, Croatia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.

Notable highlights of the General's career include being the Commander of Operation Impact; Commander of the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Center; Deputy Commanding General for Operations for the US Army's First Corps; and serving for an extended period as the acting Commander of the Canadian Army and Chief of the Army Staff.

Major-General St-Louis has attended the U.S. Capstone Leadership Program and is a graduate of the National War College in Washington, DC; and he is also an Officer within the Legion of Merit in the United States.

I have had the privilege to meet the General on numerous occasions over the years, and I know him to be a kind, professional and passionate leader who genuinely cares about the people and mission of the Canadian Army and the Canadian Armed Forces in which he serves.

Major-General St-Louis' first tour in Afghanistan was in February 2006 as part of the Strategic Advisory Team (SAT), which brought together a team of strategic advisors for Afghanistan. 

His second deployment in Afghanistan was from November 2010 to July 2011, where he commanded the last Canadian battle group that conducted combat operations in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar Province.

The focus of this episode is to chat about the General's experiences in Afghanistan, reflect on this milestone anniversary, and chat about lessons learned.

We want to thank Major-General St-Louis for the time he extended to us and we thank him for his continued service to the country. We also thank and recognize all those that served in uniform in Afghanistan, and we pay respect to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. You are not forgotten.

Similarly, we want to thank the Afghan people who sided with Coalition Forces in hope of a better life, and in particular those who fought side-by-side with Coalition Forces, and their families, many of whom live in fear today. You went Bold, and you should never be forgotten.

Our chat took place while on board HMCS Winnipeg, which at the time was acting as the command ship during the recent Exercise Trident Fury, the largest Canadian-led exercise hosted by Maritime Forces Pacific.

We discussed the exercise, but the bulk of our conversation focused on a new training model that the Royal Canadian Navy was exploring in order to expedite the professional development of its sailors. Part of that effort included a different crewing model on HMCS Winnipeg to facilitate its training mandate. That model could have implications for the future Canadian Surface Combatant warships.

We also had the opportunity to discuss digital transformation and what that means for the Navy today and into the future.

I want to thank Commander Pellerin for sharing his perspective on service, leadership, and topics in the naval domain.

Go Bold!

Our discussion for this episode specifically focuses on a major incident that occurred aboard HMCS Protecteur (AOR 509), a replenishment oiler that was a part of the Royal Canadian Navy's Pacific Fleet. Protecteur's primary role was to deliver supplies (fuel, aviation fuel, dry goods, and ammunition) to deployed ships.

The incident was a major engine room fire which occurred on 27 February 2014, when Protecteur was 340 nautical miles northeast of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

LT Oxley was a Sub-Lieutenant on HMCS Protecteur at the time, and he kindly agreed to share his memories of that harrowing event. 

There are some great perspectives in this episode -- you'll hear what happened, you'll hear about the emergency stations response, you'll hear about bravery, off-the-cuff ingenuity, leadership, allied support, and so much more.

Our discussion references some U.S. Navy ships that were dispatched to help HMCS Protectuer, and they are: USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), USS Chosin (CG 65) and USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171).

The chat also makes reference to AFFF, which stands for Aqueous Film Forming Foam.

We are publishing this episode on the 10 year mark since the incident occurred.

Our thanks to LT Oxley for his kindness and time in sharing his memories so we can help preserve that history and acknowledge the bravery exhibited by everyone that was serving aboard the ship that day.

Go Bold!

Today's episode continues on our objectives as we are honored to welcome Royal Canadian Air Force Colonel Jeremy Hansen to Go Bold!

Col. Hansen is a CF-18 Hornet fighter pilot, and he is one of only 4 active astronauts in the Canadian Space Agency.

In the years ahead you'll hear a lot about Astronaut Hansen because he has been selected to fly on the Artemis II mission, which will be the first crewed flight test of the Orion spacecraft which will launch atop the SLS rocket.

As part of the Artemis II crew, Jeremy Hansen will become the first Canadian to venture towards the Moon, and in doing so he will be the first non-American to leave low earth orbit.

There is a lot to Astronaut Hansen's path to space as one might expect, but in short, here are some highlights:

In 1988, at the age of 12, he joined the Air Cadets.

In 1999 he graduated with a bachelor's degree in honours space science from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario.

He completed Fighter Pilot Training in 2003, after which he served as a CF-18 fighter pilot with 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron, and 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron.

In 2009 Colonel Hansen was one of two recruits selected by the Canadian Space Agency.

In 2011 he graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training and started working at NASAs Mission Control Center in Houston as CAPCOM — which is the voice between the ground and the International Space Station.

In 2017 Astronaut Hansen became the first Canadian to be entrusted with leading a NASA astronaut class, and that meant that he is in charge of training astronaut candidates from the United States and Canada.

And in 2023 he was assigned to the Artemis II mission.

This episode focuses on Astronaut Hansen's Air Force career, training for the Artemis II mission, and his perspective on flying to the Moon and being the first non-American to leave low earth orbit.

It's an awesome chat with a great Canadian, so I really hope you'll enjoy this discussion.

NOTE: We have also had the privilege to interview another Canadian fighter pilot and Astronaut, and Jeremy's colleague, and that is Josh Kutryk, who we featured in Episode 3 and Episode 22. They are wonderful chats which we highly recommend.

Our thanks to Astronaut Hansen for his time and kindness. We wish him and his crewmates a safe journey on their mission towards the Moon!

Go Bold!

We are all aware of the dire geopolitical security events that are taking place around the world, including the War in Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas conflict and the instability of that region.

Of particular note is the security situation in the Red Sea where naval vessels and commercial shipping have come under attack from ballistic missiles, and from Unmanned/Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV), which are also known as Unmanned/Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones. These events have disrupted global shipping and that has far reaching implications for us all.

The threat posed by drones is very real and it is a concern to navies and to ship operators around the world. Companies like Federal Fleet Services, which owns and operates the Combat Support Ship Asterix - and lease its capabilities to the Royal Canadian Navy - have recognized this growing problem and have invested their own money to research, select and integrate a counter-UAS, (counter-drone) system onto the Asterix.

After looking at various options, Federal Fleet Services selected the MARSS NiDAR counter-UAS system as the best solution available.

In this episode we visited the Combat Support Ship Asterix when it was in port at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, and we had the privilege to interview John Schmidt, the President and CEO of Federal Fleet Services who spoke about the selection of the MARSS NiDAR counter-UAS system which will protect Asterix; and we spoke with Ryan Walker, who is also from Federal Fleet Services, and he discussed the components, capabilities and the installation of the NiDAR system, and working with the Royal Canadian Navy to validate and implement new tactics, techniques and procedures for using the system.

This cutting edge counter-UAS technology is of critical importance for the threats faced by ships around the world, so it will be interesting to see how the system will do, and how its modularity will enable future enhancements if needed or desired.

It's a great chat about new technology and new capabilities that will extend the eyes and ears of the Asterix.

We want to thank Federal Fleet Services and the crew of the Combat Support Ship Asterix for their kindness and hospitality during our visit.

Go Bold!

To mark this milestone year, we plan to publish a number of episodes featuring the men and women who are serving in the RCAF, and as we do here at Go Bold, that means we will be speaking with senior leaders in the Air Force including the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, so we encourage you to keep an ear out for those episodes.

Central to the efforts to celebrate their 100th Anniversary are the men and women that make up the CF-18 Demonstration Team, which travels across Canada and further abroad to demonstrate the capabilities of Canada's fighter force.

Our guest for this episode is Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, and the pilot for the 2024 CF-18 Demo Team, Capt. Caleb "Tango" Robert.

Capt. Robert is a combat qualified element lead on the CF-18 Hornet, and is assigned to 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, the "Alouettes" which is based at 3 Wing in Bagotville, Quebec.

In this episode you'll hear about Tango's motivation to serve, flying the CF-18 Hornet, and his operational history. You'll also hear details about this year's CF-18 Demo Team, the jet he'll fly, and Tango's focus for the air show season ahead.

It's a great chat with a frontline warfighter of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Go Bold!

10 people were onboard, with some suffering injuries. It was night time, and there was blizzard conditions.

This episode is a first-hand account of the Search and Rescue (SAR) response to this incident by the Canadian Armed Forces, and specifically the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and its 435 "Chinthe" Transport and Rescue Squadron which is based at 17 Wing in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Search and Rescue at 435 Squadron is a 24 hour-a-day, seven day-a-week responsibility. The Squadron operates the venerable CC-130 Hercules aircraft, some of which are permanently equipped and dedicated for search and rescue missions. During working hours on weekdays, the search and rescue standby aircraft and crew are ready to respond within 30 minutes of being notified. At all other times, the response time is extended to two hours.

435 Transport and Rescue (T&R) Squadron; and 424 T&R Squadron at 8 Wing in Trenton, Ontario, provide primary search and rescue response for the Trenton Search and Rescue Region, the largest in Canada, which extends from Quebec City to the British Columbia/Alberta border, and from the Canada/United States border to the North Pole.

In this episode you will hear a first-hand account of the SAR response from 435 Squadron members Capt. Jason Shaw, who was the aircraft commander, and Sergeant Vincent C. Benoit, who was the senior Search and Rescue Technician (SARTech) on the mission. They are 2 of 8 RCAF members who flew on this rescue mission.

You'll hear about the C-130 in its SAR role, you'll hear the distances the crew had to fly, you'll learn about the challenging conditions they encountered, you'll hear about parachuting from the aircraft in blizzard conditions, and you'll hear about the care they gave to the occupants of the aircraft that crashed.

Our tag-line at Go Bold is Talking to Real Life Heroes, and this episode is exactly that.

Our guests, and the rest of their crew, the men and women at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, the men and women than maintain and support the RCAF aircraft, and the rescue team from the Diavik Diamond Mine are all heroes. We honor them with this episode which preserves their actions for others to hear and remember.

Thank you to my guests, and thank you for serving and helping those in need!

Go Bold!

Joining for this episode is Commodore Trevor MacLean of the Royal Canadian Navy. Commodore MacLean is the Commander of Canadian Fleet Atlantic, and he was the senior officer at sea leading Exercise Cutlass Fury 23. 

The principle focus of Exercise Cutlass Fury is anti-submarine warfare (ASW) but it's certainly not limited to that alone. Also exercised is air and maritime integration, and interoperability between Allies and joint elements.

The exercise happened in September, and there were approximately 1,400 participating sailors, soldiers, and aviators from the armed forces of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

Eight ships from the Royal Canadian Navy and US Navy took part this year. Canadian ships included HMCS Charlottetown, HMCS Fredericton, HMCS Max Bernays, HMCS Glace Bay, HMCS Moncton, and for a short time the Victoria class submarine HMCS Windsor. US Navy ships comprised the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), and a US Navy Virginia class attack submarine. Also participating was the support ship USNS William McLean.

In addition, multiple classes and types of aircraft participated, including the CP-140 Aurora and CH-148 Cyclone from Canada, the P-8 Poseidon from the UK, the P-3 Orion from Germany, and the Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft from France.

There was a lot to the exercise, but some key things to listen for include the opportunity for the Royal Canadian Navy to use one of its new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel's as a target launching platform; using the Royal Canadian Navy's Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC) in the exercise; and exercising Link 11 and Link 16 connectivity.

You'll also hear about the Royal Canadian Navy's need to modernize its Halifax class so it stays relevant into the future, and you'll hear about the distributed training that's planned for the future.

It's a great chat with a lot of insight, so we thank Commodore MacLean for his time, and we hope you'll enjoy this episode of Go Bold!

Cobra Warrior is hosted by the UK's Air & Space Warfare Centre which is located at RAF Waddington.

The Exercise is held twice a year, and it takes place across the UK and over multiple domains including air, sea, land, space and cyber.

We published a detailed overview of Exercise Cobra Warrior in Go Bold #48, so we encourage you to listen to that episode as a compendium to this episode where we are focused on Exercise Cobra Warrior 23-2.

This iteration of Cobra Warrior involved more than 50 aircraft from 6 allied countries including: Canada, USA, Italy, Norway, Australia and the UK, along with a NATO E-3A Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) which managed large areas of battlespace and provide surveillance and communications. These aircraft worked together to support a fictional country in conflict to regain sovereign territory.

According to a senior officer at the Air & Space Warfare Centre, the intent of Exercise Cobra Warrior was to bring allied forces together in order to enhance the ability to work collaboratively on demanding missions and in dynamic threat environments.

Cobra Warrior 23-2 was the first time the exercise conducted operations at night, so that added an entirely new aspect to the operations.

For its first ever participation at Cobra Warrior, the Royal Canadian Air Force dispatched an Air Task Force which included CF-18 Hornet fighter jets and the CC-150 Polaris air refueling tanker. RCAF C-17 strategic airlift aircraft also supported the deployment into Europe.

Numerous other types of aircraft participated during the exercise, including the RAF’s F-35B Lightning which took part from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. Also participating were RAF Typhoon fighter jets; F-35s from the United States and Norway, F-16s, Voyager MRTT air refueling tankers, HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and many more.

Our guest to speak about the Royal Canadian Air Force's participation is Lieutenant-Colonel Tom Lawrence, the Commanding Officer of 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron, and the Commander of the Air Task Force for Canada's participation in Cobra Warrior 23-2.

We have a great discussion where we speak about leadership, fighter pilot training, the CF-18 Hornet, and combat operations, and then we dive into the happenings of Exercise Cobra Warrior 23-2.

It's an awesome chat with a ton of great information, so we hope you'll enjoy this conversation.

Our thanks to LtCol Lawrence for his time and insight.

Go Bold!

In addition to being a graduate of the National Security Program, RAdm Santarpia holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Royal Roads Military College Victoria, and a Masters of Defence Studies from Royal Military College of Canada Kingston.

RAdm Santarpia was promoted to Commodore in July 2013 and appointed Director General Naval Personnel. He led the transformation of that organization and assumed the duties of the first Director General Navy Strategic Readiness in April 2014. From December 2014 until April 2015 he was deployed to Bahrain where he commanded Combined Task Force 150, a multi-national group of ships and aircraft conducting counter-terrorism operations. Upon his return to Canada, he was appointed to Chief of Staff to the Vice Chief of Defence Staff and later appointed Director General Plans at the Strategic Joint Staff in July 2016. In May 2018, he joined the Canadian Joint Operations Command as the Chief of Staff.

RAdm Santarpia was appointed as Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic in June 2020. His position as Maritime Component Commander makes him one of the most informed Naval Officers in the Royal Canadian Navy -- this position enables him to have acute insight into the maritime security picture of the day.

Our discussion spans a number of topics from service and leadership, to naval warfare and naval platforms like submarines, the future of the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel capability, and the future Canadian Surface Combatant. We also talk about important capabilities like Cooperative Engagement Capability.

Our chat took place shortly before RAdm Santarpia's retirement, and it predates the Israel/Hamas war in Gaza.

It's a wide ranging chat with great insight, so we really hope you enjoy this episode.

Our thanks to Rear-Admiral Santarpia for his time and kindness, and we thank him for his service to Canada.

Go Bold!

In our last 2 episodes, we had the pleasure to visit with Commander Corey Gleason of the Royal Canadian Navy, who at the time was the Commanding Officer of HMCS Harry DeWolf (AOPV 430), Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel, and the namesake of the class.

Our previous chats were from Commander Gleason's quarters aboard HMCS Harry DeWolf when it was at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in British Columbia. That marked the half-way point of HMCS Harry DeWolf's historic first operational deployment in 2021 which circumnavigated North America in a counter clockwise direction.

The first half of the circumnavigation started in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then went up and into the Northwest Passage, and then around Alaska before heading south to Victoria.

I encourage you to take the time to listen to the last two episodes to get an appreciation for the ship and its crew and everything they did up to that point -- it's all from Commander Gleason's first hand perspective -- so if you are interested in the capabilities of Canada's new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels, these episodes are a must listen!!

The story didn't end in Victoria though, because there's a lot more to cover for the rest of the deployment!

For this episode we are privileged to have Commander Gleason rejoin us, and this time from Halifax. Our chat happened soon after HMCS Harry DeWolf returned from its deployment, and I dare say that collectively, these 3 episodes comprise some of the most detailed accounts of the deployment that you will ever hear!

My sound was a bit compromised, but Commander Gleason comes through clearly, and he's the one you want to hear anyway, so I really hope you'll enjoy this episode because you'll hear about leadership; the ship embarking a United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LE Det); operating new Multi-Role Rescue Boats; chasing down drug smugglers; what it's like to go through the Panama Canal; manning the ship and comparisons to other naval vessels; dodging storms; and so much more!

All of these are first-ever events for the Harry DeWolf class ships.

There's over 4 hours of content across these 3 episodes with Commander Gleason, and that's because we believe these firsts must be preserved. It really is an epic deployment, and we have the privilege to hear all about it from the first Commanding Officer himself!

I want to thank Commander Gleason for his time and kindness in sharing his perspective of the inaugural deployment of HMCS Harry DeWolf, and I also want to thank the crew for their hospitality when I was aboard the ship.

Go Bold!

We spoke with Commander Gleason when he was the Commanding Officer of HMCS Harry DeWolf (AOPV 430), the Royal Canadian Navy's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel. 

We did the interview onboard the ship when it was in Victoria, British Columbia, which was one of the stops during its 2021 inaugural deployment to circumnavigate North America.

In this episode we continue our chat with Commander Gleason who shared his first-hand perspective of transiting the Northwest Passage, and technical aspects of operating a warship in the Arctic.

You'll learn about the capabilities of this new class of Navy offshore patrol ship, including the use of a towed array sonar to surveil the water column for underwater threats; and you'll hear Commander Gleason's personal and often emotional account of the cultural significance of the deployment.

You'll also hear about the importance of presence in the North and in the Arctic -- it is an area of growing interest to peers and competitors alike -- and all of this is straight from an expert in Arctic naval operations, our guest, Commander Corey Gleason. 

Note that this episode gets us to a mid-point in the deployment to circumnavigate North America, so please look for our next episode where we hear about the rest of HMCS Harry DeWolf's epic and historic deployment.

Go Bold!

Part of that includes preserving history from those that make it, so you'll get all of that and so much more in the next few episodes which feature my guest, Commander Corey Gleason of the Royal Canadian Navy.

We were privileged to conduct this interview in 2021 when Commander Gleason was the Commanding Officer of HMCS Harry DeWolf, Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV).

Commander Gleason was the first Commanding Officer of the HMCS Harry DeWolf (AOPV 430), and we had our chat on board the ship and in the Captain's quarters after it arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, which was one of its many stops as part of its inaugural deployment which had the ship circumnavigate North America.

The first-of-class deployment of HMCS Harry DeWolf marked many notable events, and high among them was the first time in decades where a Royal Canadian Navy ship transited the Northwest Passage (from East to West). The last time was in 1954 with HMCS Labrador.

In this episode you'll hear about Commander Gleason's motivation to serve, some of his career highlights, and you'll hear about his leadership style.

You'll also hear about the genesis of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) program in Canada, and aspects of the class that make it an impressive new addition to the Royal Canadian Navy.

We are publishing this episode today to mark the Grey Cup in Canada, and we are doing so because HMCS Harry DeWolf escorted the Grey Cup trophy from Toronto to Hamilton, Ontario, where the big game is being held.

I really hope you'll enjoy these next few episodes because you'll hear all about a new class of Navy ship and you'll hear about historic firsts -- you'll hear about ship design and capabilities, Arctic sovereignty, climate change, Indigenous engagement and collaboration, and so much more, and you'll hear it all from a highly respected, highly experienced and thoughtful leader, our guest, Commander Corey Gleason (who recently retired from the Royal Canadian Navy).

We thank Commander Gleason for his time and kindness to us, and we thank the men and women of HMCS Harry DeWolf for their hospitality during our visit aboard.

Please remember that this is Part 1 of a few episodes, so be sure to like and follow so you ca listen to get the full story about the ship and its historic inaugural deployment!

Go Bold!

Our chat centres around the critical aspect of supporting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and we're specifically focusing on Canada's future fleet of F-35's, of which the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will acquire 88 of the highly advanced 5th Generation stealth aircraft.

Buying aircraft is one thing, but supporting them is entirely different, so what you'll hear in our discussion is the importance of efficiently supporting the F-35, which requires sustainment in a whole new way, and you'll hear about it framed in the context of service to country, entrepreneurship, outright fortitude and lessons learned.

Joining for this episode is Jacques Comtois, who started his career in the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he served as a Commanding Officer, 3 Air Maintenance Squadron (3 AMS) in Bagotville, Québec.

Jacques is now Vice President of Arcfield Canada, a company that has been a trusted partner to the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 35 years in supplying in-service and integrated logistics support to the CF-18 fleet through its expertise in supply chain management, maintenance and repair, and engineering solutions.

Also joining is Rene de Koning, the CEO and owner of OneLogistics, a company that was specifically set up to support the European F-35 program to deal with European rules, regulations and complexities of the F-35 supply chain. OneLogistics is now Europe’s leading supply chain partner for sustainment of the F-35 fighter.

These gentlemen bring a wealth of experience from the military and from industry, and they are now combining Arcfield Canada’s expertise in supporting Canada's fighter fleet with OneLogistics’ unmatched experience as a Product Support Provider for the F-35.

It's a really interesting discussion so I want to thank both of my guests for their time and insight on their solution to support Canada's future fleet of F-35s, and perhaps more!

Go Bold!

In tribute of that anniversary, we thought it would be appropriate that this episode feature someone from the US Navy, so I am honored to introduce our guest, Captain Jonathan Lipps, Commander of Task Force SIX FOUR, and NATOs commander Task Group Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) which is assigned to Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, otherwise known as STRIKFORNATO.

As it happened, on the day of our interview in June, and down to the hour in fact, Commodore Lipps was celebrating 30 years of serving in the United States Navy. The timing of our interview and the Commodores work anniversary was pure happenstance, but I felt a sense of honor that we could mark that milestone together. Congratulations Sir! 

We at Go Bold are also celebrating an anniversary of sorts because this is our 50th episode! It's a great milestone, and it's all thanks to our team, to our amazing listeners, and to all the wonderful guests that we have had from allied militaries around the world! Thanks to you all, and GO BOLD!

So that brings me to my guest for today's episode, Commodore Jonathan Lipps, whose career focus has been on Integrated Air and Missile Defense. 

The importance of IAMD cannot be understated because it is meant to protect territory, populations and forces against air and missile threat and attack; and it is meant to contribute to deterrence. It's an incredibly important topic, and one that is more topical today than perhaps ever before.

In this episode you'll hear Commodore Lipps speak about his journey in the US Navy, including his perspective on the development of IAMD capability in the US Navy. This includes the first intercepts of ballistic missile targets with the Standard Missile-3 guided missile; his time at the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex; and his time at the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System in Romania.

We also talk about multi-domain integration, and modern data-links which support real-time engagement of distributed weapons across the Joint Force. We then talk about Exercise Formidable Shield 2023 and why it is so important for NATO.

Exercise Formidable Shield is Europe's largest and most complex IAMD Exercise. It is a biennial exercise which is meant to demonstrate Allied interoperability in a joint live-fire, Integrated Air and Missile Defense environment using NATO command and control reporting structures. The exercise took place over a 1,000 nautical mile area from the west coast of Scotland to Northern Norway -- so that's from the North Atlantic to the Arctic Circle -- and it brings together ships, aircraft and ground based units from throughout the NATO alliance.

Commodore Lipps was the Task Group Commander of the exercise, and his command ship was the Spanish guided missile frigate, SPS Blas de Lezo (F103).

A total of 20 surface ships from across NATO took part in the exercise, with ships from the United States, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands launching numerous missiles against subsonic, supersonic and ballistic missile targets. These missiles included the Aster-15, Aster-30, Standard Missile-2, and Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM).

Not only did ships fire missiles, but land units employing HIMARS and NASAMS also engaged targets during Formidable Shield.

Integrated Air and Missile Defense is a fascinating topic, and even more so when you think of the maritime application of the capability, so you don't want to miss this front-seat perspective from a pioneer and expert in this capability -- our guest, Commodore Jonathan Lipps, of the United States Navy.

Thank you, Commodore Lipps, for your time and kindness, and for your service!

Go Bold!

Commodore Mazur is responsible for the combat readiness of the Pacific Fleet, and he has over 10 deployers and numerous auxiliary support vessels under his command.

For this episode, we were on board His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg, a Halifax class surface combatant while it was underway in the Eastern Pacific as the command ship for Exercise Trident Fury 2023, which is the Pacific’s Fleet's premier combined and joint exercise. 

Exercises like Trident Fury are critical to maintaining the operational readiness of Canadian Armed Forces and allies as it presents demanding maritime conditions in a simulated hostile environment which is shaped by escalating tensions.

Commodore Mazur was on board HMCS Winnipeg as the Task Group Commander during Exercise Trident Fury.

The exercise had six Canadian Navy ships participating (HMCS' Winnipeg, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Yellowknife, Nanaimo), alongside U.S. assets, NATO partners, and some ships of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) -- JS Kashima and JS Hatakaze.

A key participant in the exercise was the Combat Support Ship Asterix, a platform owned and operated by Federal Fleet Services, and is leased to the Royal Canadian Navy to provide multi-mission support, primarily with its ability to provide Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS).

Asterix joined into Exercise Trident Fury while it was already underway, and that's because the ship arrived into the Eastern Pacific (on schedule) after it circumnavigated the world while supporting deployed operations of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Over 1,000 military personnel took part across all units and platforms, including Royal Canadian Navy ships, numerous Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft (CF-18, CC-130H(T), CP-140), Canadian Army personnel, and units from the United States (EA-18G Growler, P-8 Poseidon, A-10 Warthog), as well as NATO partners, and Japan.

Exercise Trident Fury 2023 had a number of other exercises within its overarching umbrella, including:

Exercise Unified Vision, the premier NATO event for Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR) activities.

Exercise Vital Archer, a bilateral US-Canada exercise focused on counter-terrorism, and counter weapons of mass destruction.

Exercise Fox Frenzy, a missile exercise which had CF-18 Hornets engage Vindicator aerial target drones that were launched from HMCS Winnipeg.

One of Exercise Trident Fury's primary objectives was pre-deployment training for HMCS Ottawa and HMCS Vancouver's deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. 

Known as Intermediate Multi-Ship Readiness Training (IMSRT), the training involved a full spectrum of sea and air tactical warfare training, including live-fire exercises, seamanship, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, air defense, mine counter-measures, and small boat defense.

The exercise also served as an opportunity to experiment with ship crewing models for the Royal Canadian Navy, and that's to facilitate the training backlog for sailors in the wake of the training slow-down that happened as a result of the pandemic. Our conversation focused a lot on training because as the Commodore said, it's all about "saving the Navy."

As an update to this episode, HMCS Ottawa and HMCS Vancouver achieved their high readiness certifications after Exercise Trident Fury, so these ships and their helicopter air detachments are now in the Indo-Pacific region as part of Operation Horizon.

We wish to thank the men and women of HMCS Winnipeg for their hospitality, and we thank Commodore Mazur for the time he spent with us.

Go Bold!

Joining us is Group Captain Andrew Burton, the Deputy Commandant of the U.K. Air & Space Warfare Centre which is located at RAF Waddington.

The Air & Space Warfare Centre is the organization responsible for planning and hosting Exercise Cobra Warrior, a large scale exercise that happens twice a year (spring and autumn), with each serial running for approximately 3 weeks.

Our chat occurred late last year after the Cobra Warrior 2022 autumn serial, which had participants from the U.K., the United States, Germany and Italy; and it was the first time the Royal Air Force used the innovative SPEAR software.

We are bringing this discussion to you now because we are on the heels of the 2023 autumn serial of Exercise Cobra Warrior (23-2), which includes a first time participant with the Royal Canadian Air Force sending seven CF-18 fighters, and one CC-150 Polaris Air refueling tanker.

After arriving in the UK, the Canadian aircraft were supported by a Royal Air Force Voyager multi-role tanker transport aircraft, otherwise known as the A330 MRTT. That is the same type of aircraft that Canada has selected for its Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project, so the exercise has already delivered great training value even though it has not officially started.

Exercise Cobra Warrior is a large force multinational and multi-domain tactics development exercise. Common serials within the exercise include Offensive Counter Air; Defensive Counter Air; Joint Personnel Recovery; and support of land forces.

You'll hear all about the exercise from Group Captain Burton, who said the ultimate goal is to develop it into the "Red Flag of Europe."

We thank Group Captain Burton for his time and insight into this impressive exercise.

Go Bold!

The $1.3 billion (CAD) project to upgrade the CF-18 Hornet fleet is meant to ensure Canada's fighter fleet remains capable of responding to threats until new jets acquired under the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) reaches Operational Capability. You'll hear my guest and I refer to FFCP in our discussion -- that platform will be the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The upgrade effort is known as the Hornet Extension Project, or HEP for short. It is required to keep the CF-18 fleet interoperable and compliant with aviation regulations, and to maintain operational parity with current threats.

The Hornet Extension Project will see upgrades to all CF-18’s in the fleet, and that includes jets that were acquired from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under the Interim Fighter Capability Project (IFCP).

The Hornet Extension Project will have two Phases.

HEP 1 focuses primarily on interoperability and regulatory upgrades for all CF-18’s.

HEP 2 is a further enhancement that will see 36 jets configured as the most capable fighters in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

HEP 2 upgrades include a new radar, advanced weapons capability, enhanced survivability, and mission support and security requirements which are primarily required to support new weapons for the CF-18.

This upgrade effort is being conducted in conjunction with the United States Marine Corps, who are also upgrading their legacy Hornet fleet.

Joining me to talk about all of this is Royal Canadian Air Force Brigadier-General Todd Balfe, who manages the Hornet Extension Project. The General puts context into the modernization, so we thank him for his time, and for his kindness.

Go Bold!

Joining me for this episode is retired U.S. Navy Commander Kevin Chlan, a F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter pilot whose call sign is SHAKA. 

Commander Chlan is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and he's also a graduate of the Navy's prestigious Fighter Weapons School, which is better known as Top Gun. SHAKA then served as a Navy Weapons School Instructor pilot, and he served as the Commanding Officer of VFA-31 Tomcatters, a Super Hornet strike fighter squadron.

On 11 October 2007, as part of his duties as an instructor pilot at Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic, SHAKA was flying a legacy (or classic) F/A-18A Hornet from VFA-87 Golden Warriors, where he was acting as Red Air which were presenting training scenarios for blue force fighters, all of which were based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

As fate would have it, SHAKA had to eject from his F/A-18A that day while bullseye low. 

What does that mean? How did he survive? And how was he rescued? 

Our chat covers all those points and more from SHAKA's first hand account.

The tag-line for this podcast is "Talking to Real Life Heroes" -- I believe my guests are exactly that, and I believe the people that came to SHAKA's rescue are heroes too. It's because of their professionalism that a life was saved that day, so we here at Go Bold want to thank them for their service.

In this episode you'll hear the following words from SHAKA, and they are worth repeating here: "Live life with a sense of gratitude."

We couldn't agree more, and we hope that you will find some inspiration from SHAKA's story.

We are thankful to Commander Chlan for taking the time to share the harrowing experience of ejecting from the fighter jet he was piloting, the story of his rescue, his recovery, and his outlook on life.

Go Bold!

Our episode today continues these themes and is focused on Exercise Kakadu, the Royal Australian Navy's largest naval exercise, and one of the largest naval exercises in the Southern hemisphere.

Held last September, the exercise theme of "partnership, leadership and friendship" was woven through a full program of activities in the seas and skies off Northern Australia.

Kakadu 2022 was one of the biggest iterations yet, having grown in scale and complexity over the past 30 years.

The exercise involved 15 warships, including a submarine, and 34 aircraft from 22 different nations, along with more than 3,000 participants.

The capabilities exercised ranged from humanitarian aid and disaster relief, seamanship, maritime law enforcement operations, to high-end maritime warfighting, including anti-air and anti-submarine warfare in a combined environment.

Participating forces steamed more than 24,500 nautical miles, and expended more than 13,000 rounds of ammunition in high-end training scenarios.

Speaking about Exercise Kakadu is our guest, Captain (Navy) Pete Bartlett, who was serving as the Director of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Force Generation Directorate, and was the Director of Exercise Kakadu 2022.

Captain Bartlett was kind to share his insight after the exercise concluded, so we hope you enjoy our discussion.

The next iteration of Exercise Kakadu is scheduled for 2024.

We wish to thank Captain Bartlett for his kindness and for the time he shared with us.

Go Bold!

Chad then went on to serve as the Senior Chief with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

Throughout his military career, Chad was part of the cadre of specialists that serve as the rescue response for U.S. military services. Their motto is: That Others May Live.

We discuss the extensive training and advanced skills required to be a PJ in the Special Ops community, and how that training has evolved over the years, and how today's operators need to be multifaceted and adaptable for multi-domain operations.

Special Operations is often sensationalized in Hollywood movies, so Chad sheds light on the mystique of Special Operations as he shares his journey on what it means to be a Tier 1 operator working with U.S. Navy SEAL Teams, Army Special Forces, and conducting clandestine operations. Chad's first-hand insight was gained through 17 combat deployments in various theaters of operation around the world.

Chad went on to work at the Doolittle Institute, an Innovation Institute which supports the Air Force Research Lab Munitions Directorate. It is here where Chad saw issues which small businesses face when dealing with the Department of Defense, and where he reinforced his view on the need to iterate quickly for the needs of the warfighter.

Today Chad McCoy is the co-founder of Firestorm Labs, an innovative company focused on the rapid production of modular, low-cost, mission adaptable platforms which are geared for the highly dynamic nature of modern warfare.

Chad is the real deal, and throughout our conversation you'll hear him speak with humility, a quality which I respect and I feel makes for an engaging discussion.

We thank Chad McCoy for his time and his insight into the world of Pararescue and Special Operations, and for sharing the focus at Firestorm Labs.

Go Bold!

We spoke with Maj. Flick when he was a Weapons Instructor Pilot at the highly respected U.S. Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. That position means that Maj. Flick is at the forefront of the operational tactics that makes the Warthog virtually unmatched in the air-to-surface role.

In this episode, we continue our chat with Maj. Flick, as he shares his experiences of flying the A-10 in combat in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. You'll hear what's its like to do long range transits over the ocean, ways in which the A-10 was employed, squadron life, and some of the weapons that make it the preeminent Close-Air Support (CAS) aircraft in the USAF.

We also discuss some of the things that could enhance the capability of the mighty A-10 Warthog even further.

The A-10 Warthog is a truly iconic aircraft, and you'll hear all about it from KELSO's first hand perspective.

We wish to thank Maj. Flick for the time he spent with us, and we honor him and all A-10 pilots past and present with a hail to their battle-cry: ATTACK, and we echo it with ours: GO BOLD!

At the end of that 2-part chat, we agreed to do another episode where we'd discuss in detail the newest variant of the Warthog, and that is the A-10C.

In planning that follow on episode, Colonel Campbell recommended that I speak with an active duty pilot that he once commanded, because as SOUP said, he's one of the most talented A-10 pilot's that he knows.

That person is U.S. Air Force Major Ridge "KELSO" Flick, who is our guest for this episode of Go Bold.

Maj. Flick graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, after which he did pilot training to become a fighter pilot.

Today Maj. Flick is an A-10C Warthog pilot who has flown combat missions over Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. 

He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and at the time of our chat he was a Weapons Instructor Pilot at the Air Force's Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

For those who don't know, being a Weapons School Instructor Pilot is the equivalent of being a University Professor who teaches PhD students -- collectively these folks are pilots who are among the elite in the United States Air Force.

The U.S. Air Force Weapons School trains tactical experts and leaders to control and exploit air, space and cyber on behalf of the joint force. The weapons school mantra is: "humble, approachable and credible". These folks form a band of trusted advisors and problem-solvers that lead the Department of the Air Force and enables it to integrate its combat power seamlessly alongside those of other military services. 

Maj. Flick embodies the tenets of the Weapons School mantra, and he graciously shares his time with us to describe his experiences of training, leadership, and in flying the mighty A-10C Warthog.

The A-10C configuration incorporates modern avionics which enable the use of precision weaponry.

As Maj. Flick says, the A-10C is a "1st Gen fighter with Gen 4++ avionics".

Maj. Flick describes how the A-10C systems - like the moving map, helmet mounted sight, and targeting pod - provide enhanced situational awareness and functionality which makes the A-10C incredibly effective as a Close Air Support and attack aircraft.

You'll hear first-hand perspective on flying the A-10 and what its like to shoot its amazing GAU-8 30mm cannon. You'll also hear about the A-10 syllabus at the Weapons School.

It's a great conversation from one of the best in the business, so we thank Maj. Flick for his time and insight.

Be sure to listen to our next episode where Maj. Flick shares some of his experiences of flying the A-10C in combat!

The A-10 community says ATTACK, and we echo that with GO BOLD!

Today LtCol Kenney is the Commanding Officer of the Canadian Army's Advanced Warfare Centre (CAAWC), which is the functional center of excellence for the Canadian Army's myriad of environmental domains including Arctic, jungle, and other complex terrains.

The Advanced Warfare Center is also the functional center of excellence for technical domains like Patrol Pathfinders, Airborne, helicopter insertion and aerial delivery.

The Colonel shares his motivation to serve, and he kindly shares his personal reflections on the NATO and Allied forces campaign in Afghanistan; as well as his thoughts on the current war in Ukraine.

We then do a deep dive into the Advanced Warfare Centre that LtCol Kenney leads. We discuss the breadth, reach and scope of the Unit, and the various tasks they are charged with, including training specialists for various domains like the Arctic.

We learn that the Advanced Warfare Centre is the only Canadian Army Training Establishment with an operational mandate where it is responsible to have a two member liaison team on two hour notice to move, and a 12 member parachute team on 12 hour notice to move to force generate for Contingency Plan SOTERIA. SOTERIA is a joint contingency operation aimed at preserving life following a major air or sea accident in the Arctic. The plan involves parachuting into an incident site with survival equipment, supporting the efforts of the lead Search and Rescue Technicians, and providing shelter and sustenance to survivors. This capability was recently exercised by the Advanced Warfare Center, so LtCol Kenney shares his assessment of that evolution.

LtCol Kenney is passionate about what he does, and he is rightly proud of the diverse Unit that he commands. We thank LtCol Kenney for his time and insight, and we hope you enjoy this episode of Go Bold.

Most of us are aware that the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD as it is commonly known, has for the first time since its creation shot down objects that were in North American airspace.

For those that don't know, NORAD is a United States and Canada bi-national organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. 

According to NORAD, Aerospace warning includes the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands.

Perhaps there will be an addition to that statement because the first object shot down on February 4th was a suspected high-altitude surveillance balloon which was deployed by China, who for their part called it a "civilian airship" that had deviated "far from its planned course" due to "limited self-steering capability."

Most of us saw footage of the large balloon, which supported an under-slung apparatus including solar panels, and what intelligence officials believe are various instruments and sensors.

Floating at an altitude of approximately 60,000 feet, the balloon was first detected over Alaska after which it traveled down through Canada and across the United States.

On the direction of military officials and the U.S. Government, NORAD directed fighters to shoot down the balloon once it was off the coast of South Carolina. This location was selected as it posed the least threat to people on the ground. 

This event was the first time the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor has made an air-to-air kill, and it did so using the relatively new AIM-9X Sidewinder, a short-range heat-seeking missile.

This event was followed by subsequent detection's and shoot-downs of high-altitude objects over Northern Alaska on February 10; the Yukon territory on February 11; and Lake Huron on February 12. 

These objects were described as cylindrical or octagonal, and were floating at altitudes between 20,000 and 40,000 feet, and they were smaller than the balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

Are these balloons a new occurrence? Are they threats to national security or to commercial aviation? Did they fly through gaps in radar coverage? Is using missiles the best way to shoot them down?

We invited retired Lieutenant-General Yvan Blondin, the former Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to give his expert opinion in answering these questions and others.

General Blondin is eminently qualified to speak to these events as he served as a CF-18 fighter pilot who has conducted NORAD missions, and as a general officer, he served in various command positions at NORAD before serving as the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

We can't think of anyone better to discuss this with -- it is exactly what we do here at Go Bold -- we have senior leaders share their expert insight on topics that are meaningful to Allied Forces around the world.

As a contextual bonus, we added the actual radio audio between F-22 fighter pilots and controllers during the first NORAD shoot down of the high-altitude balloon off the South Carolina coast on February 4 (this audio is widely available in the public domain).

We want to thank Lieutenant-General Blondin for his time and insight in discussing these milestone events for NORAD.

Go Bold!

Our episode today is a compendium to that episode because we had the honor to speak with Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Latwaitis, a RCAF fighter pilot who is the Commanding Officer of 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, the "Alouettes", which is based at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville. The Colonel served as the Commander of Air Task Force (ATF) - Romania for Block 60 of NATO Enhanced Air Policing in Romania, which was conducted in the latter half of 2022 from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base. Our conversation took place in December 2022 as the ATF wrapped up its operations.

We are publishing these episodes on NATO Enhanced Air Policing back-to-back in order to get an appreciation for the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission, how Canada has conducted deployments for it, and more importantly, to get an appreciation of how global events like the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine has affected deployments for the mission.

You'll hear how the RCAF formed its contingent for Block 60, and how they had the opportunity to work alongside Romanian colleagues and several Allies in conducting interoperability training to enhance NATO’s collective assurance and deterrence on the southeastern flank, all while in the shadow of war in Europe. Exercise highlights during Block 60 included Thracian Viper in Bulgaria.

The Colonel described how members from the Air Task Force for Block 60 worked for the first time with Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) which is headquartered in Ramstein, Germany. AIRCOM oversees the NATO Air Policing mission with 24/7 command and control from two Combined Air Operations Centres (CAOCs): one in Torrejón, Spain, which covers European NATO airspace South of the Alps; and the other in Uedem, Germany, which covers European NATO airspace North of the Alps.

The RCAF will not be returning to Romania in 2023, so keep an ear out here for more on developments with the RCAF CF-18 Hornet fleet.

We thank LtCol Latwaitis for his kindness, time and insight.

Go Bold!

This particular deployment of combat coded CF-18 Hornets is notable because it coincided with the early days of the COVID pandemic, so that posed challenges in both planning and execution when compared to a standard deployment.

Our guest is RCAF Lieutenant-Colonel David McLeod, who at the time was Commanding Officer of 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron, and the Commander of Air Task Force - Romania for Block 54. Our interview took place just as the deployment wrapped up and while the Colonel was still at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania (January 2021).

We are publishing this episode because it forms a historical account of what the RCAF does -- in this case flying quick reaction alert missions for NATO -- and also because our next episode will focus on a more recent NATO Enhanced Air-Policing deployment (Block 60) which was also conducted by the RCAF, so it will be interesting to hear differences in the deployment and security situation in the region.

NATO Air Policing is a peacetime mission that aims to preserve the security of Alliance airspace. It is a collective task and involves the continuous presence of fighter aircraft and crews, which are ready to react quickly to possible airspace violations.

Enhanced Air Policing is part of NATO’s Assurance Measures introduced in 2014 along NATO’s eastern borders, after Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of the Crimean peninsula. The Alliance implemented these Assurance Measures with the goal to demonstrate the collective resolve of Allies, demonstrate the defensive nature of NATO and deter Russia from aggression or the threat of aggression against NATO Allies. They are flexible and scalable in response to fluctuations in the security situation facing the Alliance.

In this episode you will hear about the logistics of moving a detachment of CF-18 fighter jets to another continent, COVID protocols that helped make the mission a success, an alert intercept, various training opportunities the RCAF did with allied air assets, and surface assets like HMS Dragon and USS Donald Cook which were in the Black Sea. You'll also hear how the RCAF exercised a Canadian Joint Data Link ground station which was used to connect to the NATO network.

We thank LtCol McLeod for his time, and for the pilots out there, remember to: Always bring a copy of your flight plan with you! (You'll have to listen to know why).

Go Bold!

In my work as a global aerospace and defence journalist and analyst, I come in contact with interesting and inspiring people all over the world. Today's guest is one of those people.

I first connected with Major Andrew Fox when he was serving with the British Army as an Airborne Infantry officer. He served 3 combat tours in Afghanistan and has become a strong advocate for mental health. Our episode today was recorded when Major Fox was still in uniform and it focuses on a combat event that affected him with PTSD. That is enough in it's own right, but what struck me even more was that his traumatic experience concerned a colleague who wasn't even in his own army - it was a colleague in the Afghan National Army, so that to me speaks about the friendships, trust and camaraderie which is developed between Allies, especially in combat.

It's a story which I think is important to share, and more importantly, Maj. Fox shares it because he hopes his journey will help others, and that is just one of the reasons why I respect him.

I want to thank Maj. Fox for his time and for his perspective on PTSD and how we can all try to help each other.

Go Bold!

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For active or retired service members who are listening and feel that you need some help or support, please reference the following contact numbers, and please remember that there is no shame in asking for help as these resources are here for you.

In the UK: Samaritans provides a 24/7 safe place to talk about anything that's bothering you. Tel: 116 123

In the US: For the Military Crisis Line / Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, dial 988 and press 1.

In Canada: A confidential and free service available 24/7 to Veterans, former RCMP members, their family members, and caregivers. Call 1-800-268-7708

In Australia: All-hours Support Line (ASL) is a 24/7 confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families. Call 1800 628 036

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) marked the establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division on 22 July 2022. The Division is an evolution from the Air Force’s Director General Space organization as the responsibility for space operations has steadily grown over the last decade. 

According to the Air Force, the establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division recognizes the critical importance of space in all Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations and day-to-day activities, and is a step forward in protecting Canada's interests in space.

This newest Division of the Air Force will streamline, focus, and improve how space-based capabilities support critical Canadian Armed Forces requirements to deliver communications, command and control, navigation, weather, and situational awareness in support of military operations and activities. Such activities can include search and rescue, monitoring Canada’s maritime approaches to reinforce Arctic sovereignty, support to NORAD operations, and support to decision-making in overseas operations.

The establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division will also include the re-establishment of 7 Wing, which will comprise 7 Space Operations Squadron and 7 Operations Support Squadron. 7 Wing will provide space-based data and capabilities in support of CAF operations.

A priority for 3 Canadian Space Division will be Canada’s commitment to the Combined Space Operations Initiative. This agreement includes Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, and provides opportunities to enhance cooperation on defence space activities.

Speaking during the establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division was Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who said: 

"The space domain is of critical importance, now more than ever, when considering its role in guiding military operations and enabling a vast range of day-to-day activities for Canadians. The establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division enables the Royal Canadian Air Force to ensure we have the right organizational structure to continually deliver spaced-based effects across the CAF, while also ensuring we are aligned with our allies who have established similar Space Commands."

You will hear how the space domain is of growing importance and how industry can help the Division. We hope you enjoy this episode with Brigadier-General Adamson. We thank him for his time and insight.

Go Bold!

I first met Capt. Maa a number of years ago when he was flying the CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue helicopter at 442 Squadron, which is a tenant unit at Canadian Forces Base Comox, in British Columbia, Canada. 442 Squadron is a composite unit which until recently operated both the Cormorant and CC-115 Buffalo aircraft in the search and rescue roles.

Troy was a Major and senior pilot on the squadron at the time, and as a Flight Commander he was focused on operations and operational training on the Cormorant. It wasn't just his role though -- he was passionate about operational training, and it was that passion that left a strong impression on me, and that is one of the reasons we asked him to be a guest here on Go Bold.

After his time on the Cormorant, Troy transitioned to the Air Force Reserve where he assumed the rank of Captain which allowed him the opportunity to return to flying his first operational platform, the CH-124 Sea King anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter.

In this episode we discuss more about the Cormorant helicopter, and how Search and Rescue missions were dispatched and conducted at 442 Squadron, which includes coordination with fixed-wing aircraft.

We also discuss one of Troy's last Search and Rescue missions where he and his team were dispatched on a night mission to rescue a climber who had fallen and was stuck on cliff at 10,000 feet!

I'm happy to share that Capt. Maa is now back on active duty with the Royal Canadian Air Force and is flying the new CH-148 Cyclone anti-submarine warfare helicopter. We will focus on the Cyclone in a future episode of Go Bold, so please like and follow us so you don't miss any of our great guests and topics!

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During our chat you'll hear us refer to the Buffalo fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft, which was part of 442 Squadron. The Buffalo has recently been retired, and its fixed-wing search and rescue role has been taken up by the CC-130 Hercules as an interim solution until the dedicated CC-295 Kingfisher fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft comes online.

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Our thanks to Capt. Maa for sharing his insight on flying the magnificent Sea King and Cormorant helicopters!

Go Bold!

I first met Capt. Maa a number of years ago when he was flying the CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue helicopter at 442 Squadron, which is a tenant unit at Canadian Forces Base Comox, in British Columbia, Canada. 442 Squadron is a composite unit which until recently operated both the Cormorant and CC-115 Buffalo aircraft in the search and rescue roles.

Troy was a Major and senior pilot on the squadron at the time, and as a Flight Commander he was focused on operations and operational training on the Cormorant. It wasn't just his role though -- he was passionate about operational training, and it was that passion that left a strong impression on me, and that is one of the reasons we asked him to be a guest here on Go Bold.

After his time on the Cormorant, Troy transitioned to the Air Force Reserve where he assumed the rank of Captain which allowed him the opportunity to return to flying his first operational platform, the CH-124 Sea King anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. Troy shares his thoughts on flying ASW missions and some of the unique nuances of the Sea King.

It's important to note that Canada has retired the Sea King, but we wanted to discuss both platforms as a way to learn and contrast their capabilities, and to preserve stories about them.

After his second stint of flying the Sea King, Troy then went to the civil side of aviation where he flew the Sikorsky S-76 on scheduled routes, and then to another company where he flew the S-92 in the Search and Rescue role.

I'm happy to share that Capt. Maa is now back on active duty with the Royal Canadian Air Force and is flying the new CH-148 Cyclone anti-submarine warfare helicopter. We will focus on the Cyclone in a future episode of Go Bold, so please like and follow us so you don't miss any of our great guests and topics!

We hope you enjoy this episode where we focus on Troy's motivation to serve and his approach to training as he shares his experiences flying the Sea King and the Cormorant helicopters.

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During our chat you'll hear us refer to the Buffalo fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft, which was part of 442 Squadron. The Buffalo has recently been retired, and its fixed-wing search and rescue role has been taken up by the CC-130 Hercules as an interim solution until the dedicated CC-295 Kingfisher fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft comes online.

We have another interesting side note -- although the Sea King helicopter is an older platform, it is still relevant today! The United Kingdom recently transferred some of their retired Sea Kings to Ukraine where they will be operated by the Ukrainian Forces for search and rescue and utility roles. So even as surplus equipment, the Sea King continues its long and storied service.

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Please look for Part 2 of our discussion with Capt. Maa in our next episode!

Go Bold!

That's when the United States Air Force and the Northrop Grumman Corporation unveils the new B-21 stealth bomber, which is named the Raider, in honor of the Doolittle Raid in World War II. 

The rollout at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, is significant in its own right, but the bomber marks another major milestone as it is regarded as the first 6th Generation aircraft in existence.

Here to speak about the B-21 is a guest who is eminently qualified to discuss the topic, and that is retired Major-General Doug Raaberg, who served with the United States Air Force.

General Raaberg is an Honor Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and holds master’s degrees from the University of Southern California and National War College.

He is a command pilot with more than 4,700 flying hours, primarily in the FB-111, B-1 and B-2 bombers. 

He is a combat veteran with 35 combat missions in the B-1 bomber, and holds the world’s record for the fastest non-stop flight around the globe. For this historical aerial achievement, he and his team received the 1995 McKay Trophy for the U.S. Air Force Most Meritorious Flight of the Year Award.

General Raaberg commanded the United States only B-2 stealth-bomber wing which is known to have spearheaded the air campaign for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

His general officer assignments include Director of Air and Space Operations for Air Combat Command. Additionally, he has extensive experience in international military affairs orchestrating regional operations as the Deputy Director of Operations for U.S. Central Command. 

Today General Raaberg serves as the Executive Vice President, Air & Space Forces Association, providing strategic direction to AFA as the premier professional military and aerospace education association in the nation. He serves with the AFA President in their commitment to supporting Airmen and their families around the globe.

In speaking about the B-21, the General predicts that it will be a "menace" to adversaries.

We are excited for the rollout of the B-21 and for the future of the Global Strike Command, so we hope this discussion adds some context to the significance of the rollout event.

We thank Major-General (Ret) Raaberg for this time and insight.

Go Bold!

Pitch Black is a biennial exercise and this year it took place between August 19 and September 8, and it hosted over 2,000 personnel and over 80 aircraft.

The exercise provides an opportunity for participating air forces to share best practices and an opportunity to test and improve force integration by utilizing one of the largest training airspace areas in the world which is over the Northern Territory and Queensland. 

The Royal Air Force (RAF) participated in Exercise Pitch Black this year with 4 Eurofighter Typhoons, and a Voyageur strategic air refueling tanker. A RAF A400M Atlas multi-role strategic transport aircraft supported the detachment as a sweeper.

Joining me to talk about Royal Air Force participation in the exercise, and in keeping with our focus of speaking with senior leaders, is Wing Commander Noel Rees, a Typhoon pilot and Commanding Officer of No. 6 Squadron which is based at RAF Lossiemouth. Wing Commander Rees served as the RAF Detachment Commander for the exercise.

We discuss the logistics of fighter aircraft traveling across the globe, flying during the exercise itself, and training opportunities the RAF was able to conduct with other forces like the Indian Air Force.

Wing Commander Rees also shares his thoughts on training for air warfare in the modern age.

We encourage you to listen to Episode 26 as a precursor to this episode, and we are confident you will enjoy this wide ranging and informative episode.

Our thanks to RAF Wing Commander Rees for his time and insight.

Go Bold!

In this episode we pick-up by discussing the General's role as the Director of Operations for the Canadian North American Air Defense Command Region during 9/11, and the planning that went into the 2002 G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.

The General provides us with detailed information about NORAD security for the Summit, and a briefing that he shared with the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada about the command authority to respond to incursions of the Summit's exclusion zone, and how engagement of an airborne threat would be handled. We learn that the concept of operations that the RCAF developed was briefed to the U.S. Military, who adopted a variation of it for their own security requirements post 9/11.

We also discuss the General's first foray into Afghanistan; and his subsequent deployment to the country as NATO's Air Component Commander for all air assets in theatre for NATO's 42-nation coalition.

While in Afghanistan the General served as the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations, where he and his colleagues stood up a Dynamic Targeting Operations Center in theatre.

With those experiences in mind, the General shared his insight into what he feels are essential enablers for modern warfare in the context of counter insurgency operations.

We conclude our discussion with thoughts about NATO's departure from Afghanistan, and his personal reflections on the Afghan people and their future.

Throughout our 2-part discussion, the General speaks with genuine candor.

As we did in Part 1, we wish to reflect on Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, and we acknowledge all those who have served in uniform, and particularly those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

We will not forget.

We thank Major-General (Ret) Sullivan for his service, and for sharing his time and experiences with us. We hope that you find our discussion informative and insightful.

Go Bold!

In his military career, General Sullivan flew operational missions in the Persian Gulf, in Europe - including Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, and in Canada's high Arctic and the North Atlantic.

Today, Duff Sullivan is Boeing's country leader in Canada, where he provides leadership to Boeing's interests across the country.

Speaking with the General is an honor for so many reasons. In this episode you'll hear his first hand accounts of flying in Germany during the Cold War, and his service both on the ground and in the air during NATO campaigns in Europe.

The General puts a very personal perspective to his accounts, and in doing so he allows us the opportunity to understand what he experienced in combat, and how those experiences affect him today.

The reflections he shares are detailed, and they pay respect to the men and women he served with. 

The General also takes time to share his philosophy on leadership and teamwork which he developed through military service, and continues to carry on in his professional career in the aerospace and defence industry.

We are publishing this episode to coincide with Remembrance Day and Veterans Day. 

You'll hear how the General's recollection of service evokes emotion, which is why I think he is a perfect guest to help us appreciate the significance of military service as a means to commemorate this solemn day of Remembrance.

We acknowledge all those that have served in uniform, and particularly those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. 

We will not forget.

This interview was done in October 2022, and is a 2 part back-to-back series.

Go Bold!

Seppo Aaltonen is a Senior Lieutenant in the Finnish Army Reserve (Land Forces Reserve Officer), and he is also the Chief Commercial Officer of Varjo Technologies, a company which is a leader in virtual and mixed reality headset solutions, and in cloud-enabled solutions.

We begin our discussion by speaking about mandatory national service that all Finnish men are expected to perform. 

That requirement is rooted in the fact that Finland is an immediate neighbor of Russia, which attacked Finland in 1939 in what is known as the Winter War. That war began with a Soviet invasion three months after the outbreak of World War II, and ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty of March 1940.

We discuss the obligations of mandatory national service, how it is conducted, and why mandatory service is meaningful to Lieutenant Aaltonen, who proudly serves Finland, a country which ranks high among the most desirable places to live in the world. 

A theme you will consistently hear in our discussion is that "Freedom is Not Free", a statement which rings true for all who serve in uniform, and certainly for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Our discussion speaks about Finland's intent to join NATO, the concept of total defence, and the need to be prepared for potential scenarios that Finland may face in light of Russia's blatant aggression against sovereign nations, as is happening in Ukraine.

We also speak about virtual and mixed reality solutions which high-tech industry and the military are using for design, development and for training.

Our chat is enlightening as Lieutenant Aaltonen's perspective and the context he provides is one that often isn't heard, or isn't heard enough, and that is why we at Go Bold are so proud to present voices of allied warfighters to our global audience.

We thank Lieutenant Seppo Aaltonen for his time and perspective.

Go Bold!

Captain Gillis is currently serving as the Deputy Fleet Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic, otherwise known as the Canadian Fleet Atlantic.

Captain Gillis recently served as the Naval Task Group Commander for Operation Nanook 2022, where he led a multinational flotilla which was focused on northern and Arctic operations.

The Arctic region of Canada encompasses over 40% of total land mass and 75% of national coastline. From a continental defence perspective, the Arctic is of great importance to Canada and therefore to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) as the region yields the shortest route for ballistic missiles, strategic bombers and cruise weapons to reach populated areas of North America. 

Operation Nanook consists of four yearly sovereignty and military deployments in the Arctic, and serves to strengthen the Canadian Armed Force's (CAF) knowledge of the Arctic, and hone its ability to operate there. The Operation also allows the CAF to work hand-in-hand with other Arctic nations and key non-Arctic Allies and partners in combined activities to ensure the region remains a low tension zone of global cooperation where the rules-based international order is preserved.

Our discussion focuses on the deployment and on the new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels (also known as the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships) which are entering service with the Canadian Navy. We discuss the utility of the ships, the ways they are being employed, and the potential for future enhancements. 

We also discuss the high North and the Arctic as an important region to Canada, and as an area that is of growing interest to adversaries like Russia and even China.

So important is the Arctic that NATO’s new Strategic Concept identifies Russia’s capabilities in the High North as a strategic challenge for the whole Alliance

We thank Captain Gillis for his insight on the new AOPV ships, and for his perspective on the incredibly important region that is the high North and the Arctic.

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In 2018 Maj. Kanaan served as Co-Chair at the Headquarters of the U.S. Air Force Cross-Functional Team on Artificial Intelligence, which authored the Air Force's artificial intelligence strategy, guided integration plans, and synchronized efforts across the Total Force Enterprises, while liaising with the Joint AI Center.

In 2020 he became the Director of Operations at the Department of the Air Force / MIT Artificial Intelligence Accelerator which is the Air Force’s flagship artificial intelligence partnership with the MIT Computer Science and AI Laboratory (CSAIL) and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Our interview took place during his time in this position.

In June 2022, Maj. Kanaan assumed the position of Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Scholar Masters Fellow, where he is pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School.

Each of those positions is significant in their own right, but one of the foundation-setting highlights of Maj. Kanaan's career was his role as Officer In Charge of ACES HY (Airborne Cueing and Exploitation System Hyperspectral) Operations & Hyperspectral Analysis, NASIC, where he directed an 18 person team that leveraged scientific and technical intelligence sensor processing to exploit and disseminate hyperspectral data/imagery for U.S. Air Forces Central Command in support of forces deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Our discussion strives to put AI and ML into context for the Air Force. We discuss the AlphaDogfight Trials, a project led by DARPA's Strategic Technology Office which is designed to demonstrate advanced algorithms capable of performing simulated, within-visual-range air combat maneuvering – commonly known as dogfighting. The trials were designed to energize and expand a base of AI developers for DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program. ACE seeks to automate air-to-air combat and build human trust in AI as a step toward improved human-machine teaming. 

Our discussion also delves into AI and ML as potential enablers for manned-unmanned teaming and for the USAF Skyborg and Loyal Wingman projects.

We also discuss the book that Maj. Kanaan authored in his personal capacity, called T-Minus AI, where he explains AI from a human-oriented perspective so readers can grasp what we should know about modern computing, AI, machine learning, and its global implications.

Our wide-ranging conversation is incredibly informative and thought provoking. All views presented are his own and do not necessarily reflect the stance of the US Government, the Department of Defense, the US Air Force, or any other Government agency.

We thank Maj. Kanaan for his time and insight on this incredibly important topic.

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Today's episode continues that trend with our guest, Group Captain Matthew McCormack, a highly qualified F/A-18 Hornet and F-35 fighter pilot and senior leader with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Our discussion focuses on the Australian-led multi-national large force employment exercise, called Pitch Black.

Through Exercise Pitch Black, the RAAF demonstrates its commitment to building professionalism and enhancing military relationships for the safe and effective conduct of air operations.

Group Captain McCormack was the exercise director of this years Exercise, which is the RAAF’s most significant international engagement activity, with forces participating from a wide range of partner and allied nations across the globe.

Pitch Black is a biennial exercise -- this year it took place between August 19 and September 8, 2022, and it hosted over 2,000 personnel and over 80 aircraft.

The exercise included day and night flying with each mission executed as a stand-alone serial with distinct training objectives.

The training and integration that occurred during the exercise recognizes the high value that Australia places on fostering closer ties through multinational interoperability, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Exercise Pitch Black is one of the largest air combat exercises in the southern hemisphere, so our conversion delves into what happened this year with multiple fighter types, air refueling tankers, and Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft; and we also discuss some of the complexities of training for air warfare in the modern age.

We thank Group Captain McCormack for sharing his thoughts and perspectives with us.

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Our chat developed into three parts -- the first part is Capt. Charette's motivation to become a pilot and his motivation and approach to instructing other RCAF pilots.

We then discuss what it is like to fly and employ the CP-140 Aurora in its primary Anti-Submarine Warfare role.

The third part of our chat focuses on Exercise Sea Dragon 2022, a U.S.-led, premier multi-national exercise held at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Exercise Sea Dragon is designed to discuss and practice Anti-Submarine Warfare tactics. 

Canada was one of six participants in 2022, so you'll hear who participated and who came away with the coveted Dragon Belt award -- spoiler alert -- it was Canada.

In addition to winning the Dragon Belt for the highest overall score, 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron also won the Kraken award for most consistent attacks.

“Exercises such as Sea Dragon allow for realistic training while exchanging skills, tactics and increased understanding of multinational operations,” said Major-General Eric Kenny, Commander 1 Canadian Air Division. “The overarching goal of the exercise is to enhance the interoperability of our Long Range Patrol force in anti-submarine warfare efforts while also supporting our mutual desire to improve maritime security in collaboration with our partners and allies.”

We thank Capt. Charette for his time and kindness in sharing his experiences of flying the CP-140 Aurora.

Go Bold!

Our episode today is focused on the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, which is best known as RIMPAC. 

RIMPAC is held every two years and is hosted by the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. RIMPAC 2022 was led by the Commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice-Admiral Michael Boyle, who served as Commander of the Combined Task Force (CTF).

Rear-Admiral Robinson served as the Deputy Commander of the Combined Task Force, which means he was second in command of the entire exercise.

This years exercise took place between June 29 and August 4th, and it comprised twenty-six nations, 38 surface ships, four submarines, nine national land forces, more than 170 aircraft and approximately 25,000 personnel.

RIMPAC contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict.

As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s interconnected oceans.

Please note that Go Bold episodes #19 and #20 also have senior leaders that were part of RIMPAC 2022 -- those episodes cover the air component and unmanned surface vessels, so please have a listen to those conversations as well.

We are thankful to Rear-Admiral Robinson for his time and kindness in sharing his top level insight to RIMPAC 2022. This interview was conducted on 22 September 2022.

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Colonel Wheeler is a highly decorated fighter pilot who flew the F-16 Falcon, and he was one of the initial cadre of pilots selected to fly the F-35 in the United States Air Force (USAF). Colonel Wheeler served as the Wing Commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, which was the first to train pilots for the F-35, so needless to say, he is a highly regarded subject matter expert.

The release of this episode is timed between the Tailhook Association Hook '22 Symposium, and the upcoming Air Force Association 2022 Air, Space & Cyber Conference. This is important because our discussion will describe some of the differences between 4th and 5th Generation aircraft, and will specifically speak to some of the capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. We'll talk about the unique training challenges that come with operating 5th Generation fighters -- these issues face the U.S. Navy, the USAF, and all allied nations who have selected the F-35, let alone future next generation aircraft.

You'll hear why it is important that Allied forces upgrade their training systems to best leverage the capabilities of 5th Generation aircraft, and why decision makers must understand the incredible value of blended training environments which incorporate Synthetic Inject To Live (SITL) and Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) elements so warfighters get the most realistic and efficient training possible to effectively employ the incredible capabilities of new and next generation aircraft.

This is an important topic, so we hope you find this episode informative.

Our thanks to Colonel Wheeler for sharing his insight with us.

Go Bold!

We had the privilege to speak with Colonel Kutryk in Episode #3, so please check out that great discussion too!

Our discussion for this episode focuses on the work that Colonel Kutryk is doing at NASA while living in Houston, Texas. Much of his time is focused on training for future missions to space, but he also assists with various NASA programs like those that involve the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

The majority of our discussion focuses on the upcoming Artemis I mission and the Artemis program, which marks a new era of lunar exploration after almost 50 years since end of the Apollo missions.

In early September, NASA's Space Launch System rocket, known as SLS, and the Orion spacecraft which sits atop the SLS, are scheduled to launch for the first time as part of the Artemis I mission which will orbit the moon.

September 3 will mark the second launch attempt for Artemis I. This uncrewed test flight will have three instrumented test mannequins, known as phantoms, in the Orion spacecraft.

Following a successful Artemis I mission, an astronaut from the Canadian Space Agency will form part of the crew for the Artemis II mission, which will be the first crewed mission to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

That means that Canada will be the second nation in the history of mankind to have someone travel to the moon, which is incredibly exciting!

Colonel Kutryk is kind to share his thoughts on the upcoming Artemis I mission, and he discusses the contributions and potential opportunities for Canadian industry in the space domain. This includes the Artemis program itself, the lunar Gateway, the Canadarm3, and lunar rovers.

He also shares his thoughts on safety and security in space.

We would like to thank Colonel Kutryk for his time and insight, and we look forward to the launch of Artemis I.

Go Bold!

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Prior to joining the Canadian Space Program, Colonel Kutryk worked as an experimental test pilot and a fighter pilot in Cold Lake, Alberta, where he led the unit responsible for the operational flight-testing of fighter aircraft in Canada. As the officer in charge of fighter evaluations, he was responsible for safely conducting the initial airborne evaluations of new technologies and systems on the CF-18. He worked with a team of aerospace engineers, analysts, aircraft technicians and program managers in order to make the CF-18 safer and more effective in its mission.

Colonel Kutryk has worked on a variety of technical flight test projects, ranging from out-of-control flying to automated navigation and flight control systems to weapon guidance and control. In addition, he has worked extensively as an instructor, teaching other pilots how to fly the CF-18 on demanding missions.

In 2012, Colonel Kutryk received the prestigious Liethen-Tittle Award from the United States Air Force for being their top test pilot graduate.

From 2007 to 2011, Colonel Kutryk served as a CF-18 fighter pilot with 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec. During that time he flew missions in support of NATO, UN and NORAD commitments around the world. He has been deployed in both Libya and Afghanistan.

Colonel Kutryk was one of two recruits selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in July 2017 through the fourth Canadian astronaut recruitment campaign. Colonel Kutryk was one of the top 16 candidates (from over 5,350 hopefuls) during Canada's 2009 astronaut recruitment campaign. Due to his perseverance and dedication, he now finds himself in the Canadian Astronaut Corps.

In July 2017, Colonel Kutryk relocated to Houston, Texas, to take the two-year Astronaut Candidate Training Program at the Johnson Space Center as a member of the 2017 NASA astronaut class.

The program includes scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station (ISS) systems, simulated extravehicular activities (EVAs, or spacewalks), robotics, physiological training, flight training, language courses, and sea and wilderness survival training.

Colonel Kutryk completed the two-year Astronaut Candidate Training Program and obtained the official title of astronaut in January 2020.

Colonel Wheeler received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1996, and attended undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

Colonel Wheeler flew the F-16 Fighting Falcon for most of his career. He served with fighter squadrons that were stationed in the United States, and in South Korea, and he flew combat missions in the Middle East.

Colonel Wheeler was one of the first cadre of pilots to develop and train to use the F-16 in support of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions. Those "Sandy" missions are typically done with the support of the A-10 Warthog (which we focused on in Episodes 9 and 10).

Colonel Wheeler was one of the elite few who were selected to be part of the initial instructor pilot cadre for the F-35 Lightning II fighter in the USAF.

His most senior assignments were as Vice Commander of the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base in the Republic of Korea; and as Wing Commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, which is a tenant at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and is home to the first F-35 training wing under the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), which focuses its efforts on training the next generation of Airmen to prepare them for their future in the Combat Air Forces.

Throughout his career, Colonel Wheeler has had a penchant for training, so our discussion focuses on his experiences and his approach to training new fighter pilots, and his approach to leadership.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

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My guest today is Commander Jeremiah Daley, a highly decorated U.S. Navy Officer who is currently serving as the Commanding Officer of Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One (USVDIV-1), which is a unit of Surface Development Squadron One, which is located at Naval Station San Diego.

USVs or Unmanned Surface Vessels, are growing in numbers, and leading the way with this technology is the United States Navy, which is currently testing 2 types of USVs at the Rim of the Pacific exercise, otherwise known as RIMPAC.

The two types of USVs being tested are: the Medium-size Sea Hunter and Seahawk; and the Large-size Nomad and Ranger. This exercise is the first time that all 4 of these vessels operated together.

These unmanned and remotely operated vessels extend the capability of interconnected manned platform sensors to enhance capacity across the multinational force.

Commander Daley speaks about their employment during RIMPAC, which concludes today, 4 August 2022.

We'd like to thank Commander Daley for his time to speak with us -- and we are proud that Go Bold was the first podcast where he participated as a guest. Thank you, Sir!

Go Bold!

General Goulden is responsible for the air domain across the entire exercise, so his perspective is from the top.

This years exercise began on 29 June, and goes until 4 August. The exercise has twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft, more than 30 unmanned systems and 25,000 personnel which are participating in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.

The exercise program included gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises, as well as amphibious, counter-piracy, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage operations. Additionally, the exercise also introduced space and cyber operations for all partner nations.

RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants, and that is critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.

Following this years theme of Capable Adaptive Partners, RIMPAC forces exercised a wide range of capabilities, projecting the inherent flexibility of maritime forces, and helped to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

We greatly appreciate the time that Brigadier-General Goulden spent with us as he explained his perspective of the full spectrum of operations within the air component of the worlds largest maritime exercise.

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The Eagle was designed as an air superiority fighter, but subsequent variants saw the Eagle become an impressive multi-role strike fighter as well.

The Eagle was originally designed and built by McDonnell Douglas, which in 1997 merged with Boeing.

The first flight of the Eagle took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Since then, hundreds of F-15's have been built and have served with allied air forces around the world. The F-15 is in fact among the most successful of modern fighters, with over 100 victories and no losses in aerial combat, with the majority of kills by the Israeli Air Force.

50 years on, The Boeing Company continues to build the F-15 for operators around the world.

For this episode, we mark the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the F-15 with a discussion about the newest variant, the F-15EX Eagle II, which is being acquired by the United States Air Force (USAF).

The first two F-15EX aircraft were delivered to the USAF in May 2021. The aircraft features state-of-the-art upgrades with fly-by-wire controls, a large area display in the cockpit, advanced avionics, and the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS). The F-15EX also has and open mission systems design with a high-speed optical bus, which is a digital backbone that will allow for the rapid insertion of new and future capabilities. The aircraft also has the size and capacity to carry hypersonic weapons, which makes it an extremely capable and valuable fighter.

Our guest is Kevin "LeeRoy" Williams, a retired USAF F-15E pilot and a F-15SA instructor pilot. Our discussion focuses on a paper which sought to compare the F-15EX and the F-35, so Leroy was able to lend his professional insight as he shared his thoughts about the new F-15EX.

We would like dedicate this episode to the McDonnell Douglas / Boeing engineers who designed the mighty F-15, and to the pilots who have flown it with allied nations around the world.

Thanks to our great guest, Kevin "LeeRoy" Williams, for his professional insight into the F-15!

Go Bold!

HMCS Vancouver, along with sister ship, HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338), are both participating in RIMPAC 2022.

The Commander shares his perspective on HMCS Vancouver's deployment which starts with the exercise, after which the ships continue west to the Asia-Pacific region for Operations PROJECTION and NEON.

As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s interconnected oceans.

The theme of RIMPAC 2022 is “Capable, Adaptive, Partners.” Participating nations and forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex warfighting. The relevant, realistic training program includes amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises, as well as counter-piracy operations, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.

This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2022 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Christopher Robinson will serve as deputy commander of the CTF, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Toshiyuki Hirata as the vice commander, and Fleet Marine Force will be led by U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Paul O’Grady of the Royal Australian Navy, who will command the maritime component, and Brig. Gen. Mark Goulden of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who will command the air component.

During RIMPAC, a network of capable, adaptive partners train and operate together in order to strengthen their collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2022 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict.

Following the exercise, the Canadian ships will deploy for an additional four months until December 2022, on Operations PROJECTION and NEON, through which Canada contributes to regional peace and stability. The Canadian frigates will conduct numerous port visits and participate in multinational exercises under Operation PROJECTION, as well as contributing to collective efforts to monitor United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea under Operation NEON.

We wish HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Winnipeg fair winds and following seas in their deployment.

Go Bold!

In this episode we learn how Maj. Parker has been a lifelong fan of the Snowbirds, and how he's flown various positions on the team.

Maj. Parker’s first tour with the Snowbirds was from 2010-2015 where he completed 4 show seasons as Snowbird 5, 3 and 2.

He was subsequently posted to RAF Valley in the United Kingdom as an exchange pilot with the Royal Air Force on the Hawk T2 (you can hear about that in Part 1 of our chat).

In 2018, Maj Parker was posted to 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron in 4 Wing, Cold Lake on the CT-155 Hawk.

Maj. Parker joined the Snowbirds again in 2021 as Snowbird 7 (outer left wing), and then transitioned into the Team Lead position (the Boss) for the 2022 air show season. He brings 5,000 hours of military jet flying experience to the team.

Maj. Parker shares his perspective on what it's like to fly the CT-114 Tutor with the Snowbirds, his approach to developing the routine for the 2022 air show season, and how they train and deploy on performances. The Major also speaks about the future of the Tutor jet trainer.

We hope all who listen have an opportunity to see the Snowbirds perform -- they put on a magnificent display.

Thanks to Maj. Parker for spending some time with us.

Go Bold!

In episode 13 we spoke with the demo pilot for the 2022 CF-18 demonstration team, and in this episode we speak with the Boss, or Snowbird 1, of the world famous Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Snowbirds!

We learn about Maj. Parker's career as he pursued his dream of being a fighter pilot. You'll hear about his early days in training, becoming a pipeline Hawk instructor pilot, and his experiences of operationally flying the front line CF-18 Hornet fighter jet.

Maj. Parker also did an exchange tour with the Royal Air Force (RAF), where he flew the Hawk T.Mk 2 (Hawk T2) in the flying training role which prepares RAF pilots to fly the Eurofighter Typhoon or the F-35 Lightning II. Maj. Parker speaks to the differences between the Hawk T2, and the Hawk that he few in Canada.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this conversation where we speak about the Snowbirds, and what Maj. Parker has planned for the 2022 air show season.

Go Bold!

In this interview, the General speaks about his career in the Canadian Army, its organizational structure, and how the Army has changed over the 30+ years of his career. We discuss how training has evolved, and how the Canadian Army is postured in light of current world events. We also discuss capability gaps that the Canadian Army is looking to address; and his thoughts on the future of land warfare.

Throughout our discussion, the General is thoughtful and he shares candidly about his approach to leadership and how that has evolved as he leads the Canadian Army.

A bit about the General's history:

Major-General St-Louis is an infantry officer from the Royal 22e Régiment.

He has deployed on 6 different missions, to such places as Srebrenica (Bosnia), Rastevic (Croatia), Zgon (Bosnia), Kabul and Kandahar (Afghanistan) and the Middle East.

Prior to leading the Canadian Army, the General was Commander of the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre (CADTC); and prior to that he commanded Joint Task Force IMPACT -- a deployed joint force that provides, from Kuwait, the national command and control node to the Canadian Armed Forces capacity building efforts in Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.

Before assuming command of JTF-IMPACT, MGen St-Louis was the Deputy Commanding General for Operations of America’s First Corps (US Army) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in Washington State.

He has attended the US CAPSTONE Leadership Program, followed seminars at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NDU) and the US Army War College. He graduated from the National War College (Washington, D.C.), the Canadian Forces College, the Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean, the Royal Military College in Kingston, and the Canadian Army Command and Staff College.

His three master degrees have focused on war, defence and strategy. He served at the operational level in the 1st Canadian Air Division. Served three times at the strategic level with the Director General of Strategic Planning, for the Canadian Armed Forces, within the Canadian Army Staff and with the Strategic Joint Staff.

We want to thank Major-General St-Louis for his time, his professionalism and his candor.

Go Bold!

RCAF Capt. Jesse Haggart-Smith is currently a Unit Flight Safety Officer and two-ship lead with 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta, and he has been selected as the 2022 CF-18 Demo Team pilot.

In this episode you'll hear about his career and what he's planning for the 2022 airshow season.

Go Bold!

We discuss his journey in becoming a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, first as an enlisted member, and then as an officer in the tank community.

The Marine Corps has a rich history of operating tanks which dates back to the early 1920s. Most recently, the Corps had three tank battalions which were comprised of the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank, which was developed by General Dynamics.

USMC M1A1 tanks have been deployed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and have proved invaluable in supporting ground forces.

Major Valasek describes the utility of the tank, and how the Marine Corps operated them in combat in line with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) philosophy in which Marines support other Marines on the ground. You'll hear how this is somewhat different from the way the U.S. Army fields their main battle tanks.

As useful as a main battle tank is, the Marine Corps modernization plan calls for a lighter and more nimble force to orient the service to face complex threats in the maritime environment, and that has resulted in the service divesting itself of all its main battle tanks.

U.S. Marine Corps tanks are now gone, but the proud tanker spirit lives on, so we hope you enjoy this episode which is meant to honor all USMC tankers past and present.

Thanks to Major Valasek for this time and kindness in sharing his journey and that of U.S. Marine Corps tanks!

Semper Fi and Go Bold!

I speak with Mr. John Charles Hillman, a man who I consider a true hero and inspiration!

Mr. Hillman was born on 18 March 1919, in Newport Mon South Wales. At 103 years old, he is a veteran of World War II, having served as a Wireless Operator with the Royal Air Force from 1937 to 1949, earning medals of recognition for service in four wartime campaign areas, namely: France 1939/40; North Africa 1942/43; Italy 1943/44; and Burma 1944/46.

In 2020, in Victoria British Columbia, while the world was wrestling with the ravages of COVID-19, Mr. Hillman was inspired by his comrade-in-arms of the UK, Captain Sir Thomas Moore (a fellow Burma Star holder), who was walking the length of his garden until he reached his 100th birthday to raise money for charity.

This inspired Mr. Hillman to follow suit and walk 101 laps around the courtyard of Carlton House, the independent living residence where he resides, to raise $101,000 (CAD) for Save the Children Canada. That target was reached at about 35 laps, but Mr. Hillman continued walking until he completed his goal of 101 laps, and this resulted in a total donation count of $167,000.

Come the following year, having marked his 102nd birthday, Mr. Hillman decided to repeat the appeal and increased his target to 102 laps and setting his donation target at $102,000. Due to the persistence of the pandemic, the prevalence of an oppressive heatwave, and his wife of more than 70 years falling seriously ill and passing away, those challenges caused John to fall short of his target, however $48,000 was still raised bringing an overall total of almost $215,000 to the fund in just over one year.

Now, in 2022, Mr. Hillman has watched the conflict unfold in Ukraine, and has seen the dire situation faced by many families and children. He was pleased to learn that Save the Children Canada had been working in Ukraine and surrounding areas since 2014, and their established infrastructure allowed them to act quickly when the conflict escalated.

Commencing on 2 May, Mr. Hillman began walking 10 laps per day to reach a minimum of 103 laps with a goal of raising $103,000. All funds will support Save the Children’s humanitarian response in conflict zones including Ukraine, protecting children and families at greatest risk.

Mr. Hillman said: "It is my considered opinion to be a very worthy cause as there are many thousands of children affected by this war and they need as much help as we can possibly afford to give them. I therefore humbly pass my appeal for your consideration."

We encourage all listeners to donate to John’s fundraiser, please visit his official fundraising page:

https://bit.ly/johnhillman103

Thank you Mr. Hillman for your kindness, for your service, and for your inspiration. It was an honor to meet you and to learn about your life of service to country and community. You are a true hero!

Go Bold!

In this episode we focus on the formidable A-10C Warthog, a modernized version of the original A-10. Colonel Campbell speaks about the upgrades which make the jet even more lethal than its predecessor, making it virtually unmatched in the Close Air Support (CAS) role.

You'll hear how the Air Force integrates and communicates with the Army and Marine Corps, and you'll hear about Forward Air Controllers (FAC), Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC), and why the Air Liaison Officer (ALO) position was created.

Colonel Campbell speaks about how the A-10 is utilized in combat, and why military members across services have a love affair with the jet.

You'll also hear what the A-10 community most wishes for to make the jet even more capable than it already is.

Thanks to Colonel Campbell for his time, kindness, insight and support for this podcast!

Go Bold!

Colonel Campbell is a graduate and was an instructor at the prestigious Air Force Weapons School (TOP GUN), and he has held a number of high level positions, including Commander of the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona.

In this episode we learn how Colonel Campbell began his fighter pilot career by training with the United States Navy (USN). We discuss his perspective on the differences between pilot training in the USAF and USN, and the lessons that he learned when track selecting for the jet that he would ultimately spend his career with.

We discuss the potential pros and cons of choosing the A-10 Warthog as a career path, which by the way, is pretty much as pertinent today as it was when the Colonel selected the A-10 over 20 years ago.

The main focus of this episode is the incredible A-10 Warthog, and specifically the A-10A, which is the early model of the aircraft. For those that are not familiar with it, the A-10 is a subsonic attack aircraft which is utilized in the air-to-ground role, and often for Close Air Support (CAS).

Colonel Campbell speaks to the engineering marvel that the A-10 is, and he shares his personal insight about flying the Warthog, and what makes it as capable, resilient and iconic as it is.

Colonel Campbell is known to follow a few simple principles: be humble, approachable, and credible. I can attest that he is all of those things, so we are very grateful for his time and kindness, and his support of this podcast.

You'll want to stay tuned for Part 2 of our conversation where we continue to chat about the mighty A-10, and specifically the newer A-10C variant.

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I've heard wonderful things about ViDAR - the world's first Optical Radar developed by Sentient Vision Systems. Their ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) Optical Radar is a maritime wide-area search system proven to operate up to Sea State 6.

The optical search system uses proprietary software to autonomously find objects on the surface of the ocean over vastly greater areas than traditional search methods.

ViDAR Optical Radar is also available with Sentient's VMS range of airborne pods and other integration options which can be easily deployed on fixed-wing and rotary-wing crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

The technology isn't widely known, so I speak with Damien Tyrrell of Sentient Vision Systems, who are experts in this field.

You'll hear how ViDAR works, and you'll hear about real world rescues that have been aided by this technology.

You'll also hear how Sentient is developing ViDAR for applications beyond search and rescue.

Thanks to Damien Tyrrell for explaining this fascinating technology.

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The General also discusses current NATO posture after years of "peace dividend" drawdowns.

Using the Royal Canadian Air Force as an example, the General shares his unique knowledge about what it takes to deploy a combat force. You'll learn about the numbers of pilots a modern Air Force needs to properly deploy its fighter aircraft, and just how difficult an endeavor that is. According to the General, many western nations today face the same challenges as Canada does.

Thank you General Blondin for your enlightening insight.

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ATF-Romania is the air component of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe.

Our chat happened in January 2020, soon after the detachment concluded operations at Mihail Kogӑlniceanu Airbase for Block 51 of NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission. LtCol Rock was still in Romania at the time of our conversation, so his thoughts were as current as could be!

The Enhanced Air Policing mission reinforces NATO’s collective defence, demonstrating the Alliance’s combined strength and solidarity to any potential airspace aggressor. It is part of NATO assurance and deterrence measures introduced in 2014 after Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea.

For this iteration of ATF-Romania, the RCAF sent CF-18 fighter jets from 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron, which is home-based at CFB Cold Lake. They were supported by personnel from all over Canada, primarily from 2 Air Expeditionary Wing, 3 Wing Bagotville, and 19 Wing Comox.

You'll hear about the planning required to deploy to Europe, the transit across the Atlantic ocean, and some of the logistic elements required to establish their detachment in Romania.

You'll hear about their Quick Reaction Alert responses and how the detachment shadowed and intercepted "tracks of interest" including Russian Su-24 Fencer and Be-12 Mail aircraft.

In addition to the Enhanced Air Policing mission, the ATF conducted regular training with their Romanian counterparts, including flight operations, emergency response, flight safety, aircraft maintenance, command and control, and military policing.

ATF-Romania also participated in several multinational and joint training exercises such as Exercise Silver Arrow in Latvia, Exercise Blue Bridge 19, and Exercise Ramstein Dust.

If that wasn't enough, the ATF also did over 200 hours of community outreach where they helped orphanages and helped to purchase equipment for the Center for Children with Disabilities.

At the conclusion of the 2019 iteration of ATF-Romania, LtCol Rock issued the following statement:

“It has been a tremendous honour for the members of Air Task Force-Romania 2019 to work along side our Romanian and regional NATO Allies. Whether fulfilling our NATO enhanced Air Policing mandate or participating in the multitude of multinational joint training opportunities with our Romanian MiG-21 and F-16 counterparts, the Romanian, French, and US Navy, the Bulgarian Air Force, or Task Force Latvia, our efforts have clearly demonstrated Canada’s reliability and commitment to NATO collective defence from both a deterrence and assurance perspective. The members of this Task Force have once again demonstrated the value and capabilities of our Canadian Armed Forces and further solidified Canada’s reputation as a reliable defence partner.”

We commend 401 TFS Squadron and all the members of ATF-Romania for the work they did, and for helping the community there were part of during their 4 month deployment.

Thank you LtCol Rock for sharing your experiences and perspectives.

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This episode details the harrowing Search and Rescue (SAR) mission of 15 November 2021, where hundreds of motorists were trapped on a British Columbia highway due to landslides caused by torrential rain.

You'll hear how Capt. Southern and his crew -- who are members of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron located at Canadian Forces Base Comox -- were the first to respond to the call for help.

The Squadron ultimately deployed three Cormorant helicopters in different configurations to respond to this particular SAR mission. You'll hear about the Cormorant's capabilities and some of the tactics that SAR pilots use in training and how they apply that to operational missions.

The Cormorant crews worked all day to rescue over 300 people, breaking all previous records for people rescued in a singe mission by the type.

If that wasn't enough, 442 Squadron also responded to two other SAR missions that day -- one for a vessel in distress, and the other for a small aircraft that was reported to be down.

You'll hear about the skill and professionalism at 442 Squadron, whose motto is "That Others May Live".

Thanks to Capt. Southern for sharing his first hand account of that day, and thanks to his crew as well because there is no doubt it's a team effort.

We commend 442 Squadron for the work they do year-round that others may live!

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In this episode the Colonel shares his memories of flying the MC-130P Combat Shadow, an aircraft that he calls the "Jeep of the Sky". You'll hear about standard Air Force training, and how AFSOC trains, which is amongst the most demanding in the military.

You'll hear examples of how the AFSOC community excels in special tactics like flying low and dirty, often with little or no support. The Colonel speaks about some of the harrowing experiences he's had in various parts of the world, both in joint combined exercises and in combat.

Please share, like and follow us, because you won't want to miss any future episodes, especially when the Colonel will share his experiences of flying the AFSOC CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

Thank you LtCol Marshall for sharing your story with us!

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Josh flew the CF-18 Hornet and was a test pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). You'll hear about his journey in becoming a fighter pilot, his memories of flying combat missions over Libya and Afghanistan, and some awesome stories from his test pilot days where he helped to validate a new weapon for the CF-18, among many other things.

You'll also hear about his path to become an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency, and how he's training with NASA for an eventual mission to space. We talk about rockets, the International Space Station, missions to the moon, and the future of mankind.

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Josh! You are an inspiration!

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In this episode we discuss the complexities of military procurement in Canada, and we talk about projects which have merit, and those that might be out of phase in relation to advances in technology.

The General speaks about fighter jets, air refueling tankers, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), fighter lead-in trainers, airborne early warning and control, the RCAF Snowbirds air demonstration team, and topics like the use of companion fighters.

He also shares his insight about maintaining Air Force bases that have outlived their operational need, and why politics makes it nearly impossible to shut them down.

Through it all, this discussion is open and honest, and it's direct from a man that previously led the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Thank you LGen Blondin for your unique perspective.

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Lieutenant-General (Ret) Yvan Blondin is a man I truly respect. He served Canada for 35 years with distinction as a fighter pilot and a senior flag officer. He is honest and forthright, and the perspectives he shares are unique by virtue of the positions he held.

You'll hear about his journey through the ranks, personal hurdles, and the leadership style which he brought to the commands he led.

You'll also hear about combat operations, and the politics that influence senior military leadership - which is illuminating and shocking at the same time.

What you'll hear is real and sincere, and it comes from a man that led the RCAF with integrity. His callsign is "Bad", but he's one of the best, and he's a real life hero in my book!

Thank you LGen Blondin for sharing your story.

Go Bold!

Music: Parasail by Silent Partner