Colonel A.T.W. Carlson (RRMC 1996) assumes command of 15 Wing during a ceremony held on June 12 in Moose Jaw, Sask.
A highly experienced pilot, Colonel Carlson brings a wealth of expertise in both flight instruction and pilot leadership within the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). He takes over from Brigadier-General D.S. Coutts, who is set to become the next Commander of 2 Canadian Air Division in the coming weeks.
Colonel Carlson steps into this leadership role at a transformative time for the RCAF. Under his command, 15 Wing will play a pivotal role in the Air Force’s modernization efforts through the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. This plan will deliver state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced aircraft, and revitalized training systems—strengthening the RCAF’s operational readiness to defend Canada and support allies against threats.
Service Chiefs: Inside the CAF’s Modernization Push – Structure, Strategy and New Thinking
Service Chiefs: Inside the CAF’s Modernization Push – Structure, Strategy and New Thinking
Canadians fleeing war in Iran face obstacles in absence of diplomatic ties
Evacuation operations require coordinating efforts with local authorities, which is not possible in the current climate, said Christian Leuprecht, a military expert and government relations professor at Queen’s University and Royal Military College.
“Unless there’s a significant change in the political conditions in Iran, nobody’s evacuating anybody from Iran,” Prof. Leuprecht added.
G7 Summit recap: defence, alliances and leadership
https://globalnews.ca/video/11247574/g7-summit-recap-defence-alliances-and-leadership
Tuesday marked the conclusion of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta and there was no shortage of topics to discuss. From Defence spending, aid to Ukraine, and trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, it was a busy few days. Professor Jane Boulden from the Royal Military College of Canada joined Global’s Miranda Anthistle to further discuss the impact of the summit.Tuesday marked the conclusion of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta and there was no shortage of topics to discuss. From Defence spending, aid to Ukraine, and trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, it was a busy few days. Professor Jane Boulden from the Royal Military College of Canada joined Global’s Miranda Anthistle to further discuss the impact of the summit.
Burton and Seaboyer: Canada can do much better than join the ‘Golden Dome’ defence
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/canada-dont-join-golden-dome-defence
Charles Burton is a former diplomat at Canada’s embassy in Beijing; senior fellow at Sinopsis.cz, a China-focused think tank based in Prague; and a member of the Taiwan-based Doublethink Lab’s China in World Global Index Committee. Anthony Seaboyer teaches political science and political philosophy at the Royal Military College of Canada.
Very soon, the Mark Carney government’s much-needed investment in Canada’s military will require urgent, historic choices regarding defence priorities and generational financial commitments. But as ministers and policymakers dissect options such as buying cripplingly expensive F-35 fighter jets, there is one move they should not make.
Military Personnel Command welcomes new Commander
Lieutenant-General Erick Simoneau assumed Command of Military Personnel Command (MILPERSCOM) from Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon on Monday, June 16, 2025, during a morning ceremony at National Defence Headquarters Carling Campus in Ottawa. General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, presided over the ceremony.
Babcock is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah McMillan CMR RMC 1995 as our new Chief Operating Officer effective June 29, 2025.
Prior to Babcock, she served as Chief of Staff for Federal Fleet Services Inc in Ottawa and before that, served 26 years as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy.
During her time in the RCN, Sarah held several leadership roles including Naval Warfare Officer, Personnel Selection Officer, Assistant Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada/Collège militaire royal du Canada, Team Leader – Operational Effectiveness and Leadership, HR Pillar Lead in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Section Head – Senior Policy Officer with the Directorate of Naval Personnel & Training.
Since joining Babcock in 2021, Sarah has led the re-imagination of our Corporate Services delivery across Canada. She will continue to be based in Ottawa.
CANSEC 2025: Highlights – Canadian Defence Review
https://canadiandefencereview.com/cansec-2025-highlights-canadian-defence-review/
CANSEC 2025 showcased game-changing innovations shaping the future of Canada’s defence and security sector. During the two-day event on May 28-29 at the EY Centre, Ottawa, the CDR team was on the show floor capturing highlights through editorial and video interviews — covering live demos, major announcements and new product launches from exhibitors.
Organized annually by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), CANSEC remains Canada’s leading defence, security, and emerging technology event since 1998.
This year introduced over 17,000 square feet of additional exhibit space in the brand-new Hall 5, which also hosted the CANSEC Spotlight Stage — a new platform featuring thought leaders sharing forward-looking ideas.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Francois Dupont (RMC 2003)Commanding Officer Snowbirds
Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Jean-François Dupont was born and raised in Québec City, Quebec. After obtaining his glider pilot license in the Air Cadet program, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1998 under the Regular Officer Training Plan. Graduating from Royal Military College in 2003, he commenced pilot training shortly thereafter. Receiving his military pilot wings on the CT-155 Hawk in 2005, he was posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School as a qualified flying instructor on the CT-156 Harvard II.
In 2009, LCol Dupont was selected as Snowbird 2, inner right-wing position, with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. He was then posted to 431 Air Demonstration Squadron in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and performed three full seasons from 2010 through 2012.
After departing the Snowbirds, LCol Dupont undertook helicopter training at 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School and in 2014, was posted to 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Comox, British Columbia. He then completed the operational training on the CH-149 Cormorant in 2015, then promoted to Major as the Cormorant Flight Commander. LCol Dupont carried out numerous sea and land rescues in beautiful but very unforgiving terrain, “That others may live”.
LCol Dupont returned to 431 Air Demonstration Squadron during the summer of 2018 as the Deputy Commanding Officer to then be employed as Snowbirds Lead for the 2020-21 seasons. Two years after being transferred to the CT-114 Standards and Evaluation Team, he was promoted to his current rank in early 2024 and appointed as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron Commanding Officer. He brings over 4,000 hours of military flying experience to the Squadron.
LCol Dupont is an avid photographer who enjoys travel and spending time outdoors with his partner Krystin and his family.
Frontier Centre For Public Policy Welcomes Retired Lieutenant-General J.O. Michel Maisonneuve (RMC 1976) As Senior Fellow
WINNIPEG — The Frontier Centre for Public Policy has appointed retired Lieutenant-General J.O. Michel Maisonneuve as a senior fellow. A decorated Canadian military leader, educator and author, Maisonneuve brings more than four decades of senior leadership experience in defence, diplomacy, education and institutional transformation to the Centre’s growing work on Canadian defence and national security.
Maisonneuve served 35 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, rising to the rank of lieutenant-general and serving in key leadership roles nationally and abroad. As chief of staff at NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Transformation, he led the Alliance’s global innovation and reform efforts. He was later appointed academic director of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, where he served ten years and helped re-establish the college as a degree-granting institution.
“Michel Maisonneuve’s leadership experience, in Canada and internationally, offers critical insight into the challenges facing our defence and foreign policy establishment,” said David Leis, president and CEO of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. “He has served this country with distinction and will play an important role in shaping our thinking on national security, leadership and global alliances. These key issues relate to our national prosperity.”
As a senior fellow, Maisonneuve will contribute commentary, research and analysis on Canadian defence policy, military strategy, global security and Canada’s role in international institutions
L to R: 12496 Mike Belanger, 12493 Murray Beare, 12483 Ross Allan, 12731 Richard Wagner, 12372 Peter (Wax) Johnston, 12472 Steve Woodland (Class Secretary), 3230 Garth McDonald, 12524 Mikola Czich, 12632 Mike Ward, M0050 Tony Battista.
Congratulations, JCSP 51 and NSP 17!
We celebrate this cohort of leaders from the Canadian Forces College, who have pushed themselves and challenged each other.
You’re heading into what’s next with hard-earned insight, trusted peers by your side, and a clearer sense of how you want to lead.
The peers who sat beside you are now part of a circle that you can depend on. To all alumni from the Canadian Forces Colleges and the Canadian Military Colleges, your bond is what will guide those coming up behind you.
We’re excited to see where you go from here.
To watch the Convocation Video please click here: https://cfc.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=3871085f-6e98-40fa-bcab-b279016aa29e
Cadets from the Military University of Land Forces Participate in Training at the RMC Saint-Jean in Canada
Two fourth-year cadets are continuing their education at the Royal Military College (RMC) Saint-Jean in Canada as part of the Erasmus+ academic exchange program during the summer semester.
The training program includes courses in international relations, history, and military subjects. In addition to theoretical classes, the cadets are participating in practical training, including Blizzard Nordique and the Ice Breaking Drill, which help develop the leadership qualities and mental resilience of future officers.
During the Blizzard Nordique exercise, students honed survival skills in extreme weather conditions, leading and coordinating tactical operations within their subunits. The training gave them valuable experience in situations requiring quick decision-making and effective command. Giving orders under such difficult conditions develops leadership skills, adaptability, and communication abilities in future leaders.
The Ice Breaking Drill, however, focused on a different aspect of training: cadets were required to jump into ice-cold water in full uniform. This exercise pushes cadets to their limits and tests their determination and mental toughness. Operating under such challenging conditions aims to improve self-control and the ability to make quick, accurate decisions under pressure.
Participation in the Erasmus+ program not only supports our cadets’ academic development but also prepares them for future service within NATO structures. They also develop language proficiency, intercultural communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with international partners. The International Semester at RMC Saint-Jean also hosts cadets from Kosovo and South Korea, fostering international relations and mutual cultural understanding.
9993 Garry McCracken RMC 1974, undertakes new initiative: The Road to Valour
“During my military service, I developed a mental disorder, an experience that has shaped my post-service commitment to supporting the mental health of Canadian veterans. Since retiring, I have focused my efforts on mental health advocacy, primarily through my work with Wounded Warriors Canada.
In 2026, I will be undertaking a new initiative: The Road to Valour — a 2,500 km unsupported cycling journey from Vancouver to Winnipeg. This endeavour aims to raise awareness and funds for programs that support veterans and first responders living with mental health challenges. More details on the project can be found in my website: TheRoadToValour.ca
I am also a recent graduate of the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, where I completed a Master of Science in Health and Exercise Science. UBC recently featured my project in UBC Magazine under the headline ‘Change Maker’ .”
