‘It lacks character; it lacks definition’ – HOW THE PEOPLE BEHIND CANADA’S MEMORIAL TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN AFGHANISTAN LOST MANY VETERANS’ SUPPORT
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/national-post-latest-edition/20260512/page/1
Canada’s proposed Afghanistan war memorial is having trouble connecting with the people it’s designed to honour: The Canadians who fought in the 12-year war. Ground was officially broken on the future site of the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan in Lebreton Flats, near Ottawa’s Canadian War Museum, last Monday. But some vets felt overlooked in a ceremony that focused on the project and not the one-time warriors, and showcased an Indigenous-inspired “Medicine Wheel” design.
“The Ottawa bubble is an ecosystem that does what it wants. It sets up these things to say that they consulted and then go ahead and do whatever they want,” said Sean Maloney, a history professor at the Royal Military College of Canada.
Afghanistan was the longest combat deployment in Canada’s history, but getting a monument built to honour more than 40,000 of our troops who served there will take even longer. The monument isn’t expected to be finished until late 2028.
“This is Canada, everything takes so long,” Maloney said. “We can’t do anything efficiently and quickly in this country at all.”
Young Atlantiks: Class of 2026
https://www.atlantik-bruecke.org/en/young-atlantiks-class-of-2026/
Benjamin Deutsch is a graduate student at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, he served for sixteen years as a Naval Warfare Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, specializing in navigation and anti-submarine warfare. He worked closely with NATO partners in operational and and strategic roles across Northern Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. Late in his career, he completed an exchange with the Australian Defence Force and deployed to the Middle East, supporting drug interdiction and counter-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Since retiring in 2025, he has begun a master’s degree, with research focusing on civil-military relations and international strategic cooperation during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His academic and professional interests centre on North Atlantic security, allied interoperability, and the evolving dynamics of great power competition. He aims to combine his military and academic experience toward a career in intelligence and international security.
Welcome to the newest member of the RMC Hockey Alumni to make it to General Officer
COLONEL J.N.D. CHARRON WILL BE PROMOTED BRIGADIER-GENERAL AND APPOINTED CHIEF OF STAFF CANADIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES COMMAND, IN OTTAWA.
With the promotion that makes 5 members of the 1996/97 team to make it to the General Officer Rank
Major-General Jeannot Boucher
Major- General Luc Girouard
Major-General Josh Major
Major-General Kyle Paul
Brigadier-General Dave Charron
Canada taps Gen. Jennie Carignan for NATO’s top military chair
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nato-military-chief-carignan-9.7205492
The Liberal government is nominating Canada’s top military commander to be the next chair of the NATO military committee when the post becomes vacant next year.
Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the candidacy of Gen. Jennie Carignan on Wednesday and said she’ll continue in her current role until next year.
An election for the post will be held in September.
The current chair, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone of the Italian navy, is expected to finish his term next summer.
Dragone serves as the senior military adviser to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and is the principal conduit for all military advice from the chiefs of defence of the 32 NATO member countries.
The chair position was last held by a Canadian — retired general Ray Henault — in the early 2000s.
Carignan has been Canada’s chief of the defence staff since the summer of 2024 and, while there’s no fixed term, the position is usually held for three years.
Kelly Williamson RMC 2000 – Small personal update: I was recently promoted to Commodore in the Royal Canadian Navy by General Jennie Carignan, a leader I have admired for many years. Looking back, moments like this are never individual accomplishments. They reflect years of support, challenge, friendship, mentorship, patience, and teamwork, and I have been incredibly fortunate in the people who have surrounded me throughout my journey. To my family, especially John and Charlotte, thank you for your steady love, your patience, and for walking this road beside me through all the long hours and unpredictability that service can bring. Over the years, I’ve come to believe leadership is really about wanting the best for the people around you, helping one another grow, succeed, and move forward together. To the many leaders, peers, teammates, and friends who challenged and supported me along the way, thank you for your trust, your candour, and your willingness to invest in others. This moment also carries quiet personal significance. My dad once hoped to serve in the Royal Navy but was not permitted to at the time. His story has stayed with me over the years and makes moments like this a reminder of how far things have come, and of the responsibility to continue building an institution worthy of the people who choose to serve. Grateful for the journey so far, and for the opportunity to continue serving alongside exceptional people in the years ahead.
Congratulations to Capt(N) Vicky Marier for reaching the Platinum incentive level in her FORCE Evaluation 2025. “Through consistent and disciplined training, I prepared year-round to achieve the Platinum level on my CAF fitness test. I had a clear understanding of where I lost points in the previous year, which allowed me to focus my efforts strategically. This targeted approach helped me refine my performance and address specific weaknesses. As a result, I successfully achieved my goal this year.” Bravo Zulu!
Félicitations à la capv Vicky Marier pour avoir atteint le niveau d’encouragement Platine lors de son Évaluation FORCE 2025. « Grâce à un entraînement régulier et discipliné, je me suis préparée tout au long de l’année afin d’atteindre le niveau Platine au test de condition physique des FAC. Je savais précisément où j’avais perdu des points l’année précédente, ce qui m’a permis de cibler mes efforts de façon stratégique. Cette approche ciblée m’a aidée à corriger mes faiblesses et à améliorer ma performance. J’ai ainsi atteint l’objectif que je m’étais fixé cette année. » Bravo Zulu !
Held through its virtual office in Canada as part of the Quebec Political Science Society Conference TRENDS Research & Advisory Panel Discussion Examines Social Transformations, Security Challenges, and Power Dynamics in the Middle East
TRENDS Research & Advisory, through its Virtual Office in Canada, organized a specialized scientific panel discussion titled The Middle East Between Rupture and Continuity: Reshaping Geopolitics, Societal Transformations, and Security Challenges as part of its participation in the 63rd Conference of the Quebec Political Science Society, held at the University of Montreal.
The panel was part of the conference’s academic program and, in the context of the TRENDS’s contribution to ongoing discussions, addressed the transformations and challenges facing the world marked by rapid geopolitical and technological change and increasingly complex international interactions.
The panel, moderated by Dr. Adib Bencherif, Professor and Researcher at the School of Applied Politics at the University of Sherbrooke, featured a distinguished group of academics and specialized researchers, including Dr. Marie-Joëlle Zahar, Professor of Political Science at the University of Montreal; Dr. Patrice Brodeur, Professor of Interfaith Dialogue and Extremism Studies at the University of Montreal; Dr. Mounia Ait Kabboura, Professor and Researcher at the Royal Military College of Canada; and Dr. Wael Saleh, Advisor on Political Islam Affairs and Director of the TRENDS Virtual Offices in France and Canada.
Treble Victor Group
The Treble Victor Group is a not-for-profit networking group established to enable ex-military personnel to achieve their full potential in post service careers, through our common values, mutual support, teamwork, mentorship, and the network’s connectivity. The common thread between all members is a pride in past service, a recognition of the shared values and expectations that come with military service and a desire to grow and help others grow their post-service careers.
View their website for upcoming events here and more information.
Major Maciej Hatta, RMC 2005, Snowbird 1, Team Lead
https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/services/showcasing/snowbirds/members/major-maciej-hatta.html
Major Maciej “Match” Hatta was born in Gdansk, Poland, and grew up in Milton, Ontario. He earned both his Glider and Private Pilot licences as a member of 820 Chris Hadfield Air Cadet squadron and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2001. He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) in 2005. After receiving his military pilot’s wings in 2008, Major Hatta continued Fighter Lead-in Training in Cold Lake, Alberta, followed by training on the CF-188 Hornet and an operational tour as a fighter pilot at 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron, where he flew various NORAD missions and 22 combat missions overseas.
Major Hatta was selected to join the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in 2013 and flew as Snowbird 6 (2014-2015), Snowbird 3 (2016), and Snowbird 7 (2017). During his four years on the team, he helped reactivate and modernize the TankCam camera pod, introduced interactive 360 camera technology, and created over 130 short and long form videos to help fans, friends, and families alike experience the thrill of flight and behind the scenes from the Snowbirds perspective. This promotional effort earned the Snowbirds team the 2015 International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Platinum Pinnacle Award in the Military Performer category. For his work, Major Hatta also received a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Commander’s commendation and the 2016 ICAS Platinum Pinnacle Award in the Military Performer category.
In 2018, Major Hatta returned to Cold Lake to instruct future fighter pilots on the CT-155 Hawk as part of 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron for a brief tour. In his spare time, he assisted several air show performers, the RCAF, and air shows big and small with creative video content.
In late 2019, Major Hatta moved to Edwards Air Force Base, California, and completed the gruelling year-long United States Air Force Experimental Test Pilot Course, earning a Master of Science (Flight Test Engineering). After graduation in 2020, he was posted to the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment in Ottawa, Ontario, as the Officer in Charge of Fixed Wing Qualified Test Pilots. Major Hatta was qualified on up to three aircraft at a time (C-90A King Air, CF-188 Hornet, CT-114 Tutor) and the lead Qualified Test Pilot for major capital projects that brought significant upgrades to the Hornet and Tutor fleets, earning him a second RCAF Commander’s commendation alongside the first flights of new advanced radar, software, air-to-air missiles, and entire cockpit avionics upgrades.
In 2025, Major Hatta was selected to return to Moose Jaw with the honour of being named the Team Lead for the 2026 season. He brings over 4,000 flying hours to the team across 29 different fixed and rotary wing aircraft types. He credits his achievements to the aviation passion instilled in him as an Air Cadet, and the loving devotion, support, and sacrifices of his family.
‘I thought I was dead’: Sole survivor recalls 1966 plane crash near Hope Slide site
https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/i-thought-i-was-dead-sole-survivor-recalls-1966-plane-crash-near-hope-slide-site-12196252
On April 23, 1966, Bob Reid’s (CMR RMC 1964) life changed forever.
It started off like any other day for the now retired Royal Canadian Air Force member. He and five other crew members were aboard an Albatross search-and-rescue plane from the 442 squadron in Comox for a training flight.
Reid was navigator for the flight and under the right wing. On board were flight lieutenants Phil Montgomery and Peter Semak, flying officer Chris Cormier, leading aircraftman Bob MacNaughton and squadron leader James Braiden, who was a late addition to the crew.
The trip was set for Williams Lake, then through the Rocky Mountain Trench, down Bute Inlet and back to Comox. Their flight path took them through Fraser Valley near the Hope Slide site, a massive landslide that happened near Hope the year prior.
As the plane got closer to the site, Reid thought about getting up to look at the view. But the thought vanished when he heard a panicked voice from Montgomery on the intercom, calling for max power as the plane dipped drastically.
“I came wide awake, I knew we were in trouble,” said Reid, now 85. “I looked out the window on the port side and we were taking off tree tops with the left wing.”
As the plane slid into rocks near the Hope Slide site, Reid was thrown forward and blacked out.
The right wing dug into the mountain and ripped off, opening the plane up to where Reid was sitting. The plane’s left wing blew up, hurling a fireball of fuel towards Reid, causing burns to most of his body.
“I thought I was dead, I was surrounded with white clouds,” he said. “I was standing there in this cloud, waiting for somebody to come and get me.”
In that moment of waiting, a large piece of the aircraft exploded, whipping a chunk of the plane past Reid’s head. It was in that moment that he realized he was still alive. Shock had taken over Reid’s body and he couldn’t feel any pain from the crash or his extensive burns. He desperately kept calling for help, but nobody answered.
The Ottawa Branch of the Naval Ass’n hosted our annual Battle of the Atlantic event – the BOA Reception. Over 170 Naval Ass’n members and supporters from the defence and security community came together for a great evening of camaraderie, recognition of those who served and did not come home from the BOA, and the honouring of a special guest, Dr Rob Huebert, who is the recipient of the 2025 Admirals’ Medal.
Hamilton Branch Leadership
L to R: Keith Miller (pres), Mike Bass, Gerry Mueller.
Canadian astronaut’s bon mots help heal wounds from French language row
Few people foresaw humanity’s quest for the moon as accurately as the 19th-century French author Jules Verne, whose two works –From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon – anticipated many of the features of modern lunar exploration.
But Verne’s language had never been spoken in deep space until the Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen uttered four words during Nasa’s recent Artemis II mission.
On day three of the mission, as the Integrity spacecraft hurtled towards the moon, Jeremy Hansen turned to a camera. “Bonjour tout le monde,” he said from nearly 125,000 miles away – a greeting with a literal translation that captured the immensity of the journey: hello all of the world.
“For the first time in history, our language, the French language, was expressed en route to the moon,” posted a Canadian parliamentarian. “Never had French been spoken from so far away.”
Hansen’s decision to speak French, during the mission and at a Nasa press conference on his return to the Earth, came shortly after a linguistic row – and public relations nightmare – for Canada’s flagship airline, that underscored how deeply the language is linked to the country’s politics and culture.