Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/103039
I inside industry Aerospace a national priority Canada must recognize aerospace and space as national priority sectors, says David Emerson. The head of a governmentmandated aerospace review told a summit hosted by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) in December that the country risks losing its strong position in the industry if it does not adjust to a changing market landscape. In particular, he pointed to the potential demise of smalland medium-sized businesses, which make up a considerable portion of the Canadian sector, as consolidation shrinks the number of suppliers OEMs will maintain in the globalized supply chain. Emerson, a former cabinet minister who delivered his report to the government on November 29, drew a link between Canada's vaunted resource and IT sectors and the aerospace and space industry, noting that development of the North will require both air transportation and space-based communications. Maintaining growth in the economic engine that is energy and mineral resources will necessitate similar investments in aerospace capability and space infrastructure. "Take money from the resource sector and recycle it back into [these sectors]," he said. The only way to access remote areas and deliver government services is going be via air, satellite technology and IT. "[They] are going to play important roles in that regard." In particular, he recommended government maintain a list of priority technologies to guide the sector and develop a program to support technology demonstrations. He also urged greater funding for R&D, noting that health and IT receive priority R&D dollars and yet aerospace already delivers a sound return on investment for R&D. In fact, according to data released in November by Research Info Source on Canada's top 100 corporate R&D spenders for 2012, Bombardier ranked second, trailed by Pratt & Whitney Canada in sixth and CAE in 19th. Honeywell and Macdonald, Dettwiler and Associates were 33 and 34, respectively. "We should be recognized as a Canadian priority sector," he said. For the space sector, he noted that despite the recent announcement of an expected launch of the Sapphire satellite, there is a "sense of drift" in the space program. While conducting the review, he and the advisory council heard repeatedly that "nobody is sure where it is going." And with project cycles of at least a decade that tie up people and capital, "industry has got to know where the government is going." Jim Quick, president of AIAC, said the report would "open the door to significant change in industry" and represents an "opportunity to influence and determine future prosperity for the industry." Fears that the report might join previous efforts on a shelf were allayed somewhat by Industry Minister Christian Paradis, who noted the "undeniable" importance of the aerospace sector to the economy and assured AIAC members that "our government will be your partner. We will take action." 8 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 www.vanguardcanada.com Above, LCol Gilbert Thibault, Sgt Brad Hiscock, Capt Aaron Noble, MCpl Shawn Bretschneider, Sgt Dan Villeneuve and Jeremy Tracy, AgustaWestland. Cormorant crew recognized for Arctic rescue For the second time in as many years, a Canadian Forces search and rescue crew has won the Cormorant Trophy for Helicopter Rescue The crew from 103 Search and Rescue Squadron at CFB Gander in Newfoundland were honoured for a treacherous nighttime icy Arctic sea rescue of two hunters that cost the life of SAR tech Sergeant Janick Gilbert, who had earlier jumped into the water from an accompanying CC-130 Hercules, to assist the hunters. The recipients – Captain Aaron Noble (aircraft commander), Captain Dean Vey (co-pilot), Sergeant Brad Hiscock (flight engineer), Sergeant Daniel Villeneuve (SAR tech Team lead), Master Corporal Shawn Bretschneider (SAR Tech team member) – were announced at the annual SAREX competition in Val-d'Or, Quebec. The award recognizes the Canadian civilian, government or military crew that has performed the most demanding helicopter rescue of the year. The rescue took place on October 27, 2011 when the crew of AW101 Cormorant "Rescue 915" were tasked with rescuing two walrus hunters stranded on an ice flow in the Arctic sea near Igloolik, Nunavut. The crew arrived on scene after a 12-hour flight and was confronted by 90 km/h wind gusts, 10-metre-high violent waves tossing masses of ice into the air, with life rafts, people and strobe lights in multiple locations, including three SAR Techs from 424 Squadron who had parachuted into the water from a CC-130 Hercules. "While there were a number of very worthy contenders, this particular rescue stood out for the complexity and danger and was therefore the unanimous choice of the adjudicators," said Jeremy Tracy, AgustaWestland's head of region for Canada.