www.vanguardcanada.com APRIL/MAY 2021 13
Canada is a world-leader in space-based synthetic aperture radar earth observation.
This capability currently found in Radarsat2 and RCM, coupled with the Automatic
Identification System (AIS), provides valuable and critical maritime domain
awareness for Canada and our allies.
INTERVIEW
sible to the Commander of the RCAF for
the generation and equipping of Space ca-
pabilities for Force Employment missions.
Subordinate to the Division would be a
Wing and three Squadrons – Operations,
Support, and Advanced Space Effects. This
proposal is currently with the VCDS or-
ganization for staffing approvals, and we
hope to stand up the new Organization in
the next 12-18 months.
We don't anticipate the creation of for-
mal Space occupation in the near-term,
but it is important that we carefully man-
age the cadre of CAF personnel that cur-
rently have experience and expertise in the
Domain. Air Force personnel manage-
ment now includes representation from
DG Space to ensure that our members,
regardless of occupation or service, are
cycled through appropriate career devel-
opment opportunities and advancement,
with the idea that they will return to the
Space enterprise in the future as super-
visors and leaders. This has been well-
received, and we are seeing occupations
provide credit to those members that have
undertaken a tour within the Space orga-
nization. Additionally, those members
that have completed over 365 days in a
role dedicated to the CAF Space Enter-
prise are entitled to wear the Space Spe-
cialist Skill Badge on their uniforms for
the remainder of their career.
Q What are the most pressing
operational problems you see from the
perspective of Joint Force Component
Commander Space?
I think there are a couple pressing op-
erational concerns at the moment – one
is focused on the increased competitive-
ness, competition, and congestion of the
space environment, and a second concern
Satellite communications. Photo: DND
Radarsat-2. Photo: Canadian Space Agency
