Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/196923
sit rep Forces Intelligence command now operational In a move to better synchronize and prioritize intelligence collection, the Canadian Armed Forces has united five previously separate intelligence units into the Canadian Forces Intelligence Group. The group, which falls under the command of MGen Christian Rousseau, commander of the newly formed Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, brings together the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre, the Canadian Forces National Counter-Intelligence Unit, the Joint Meteorological Centre, the Mapping and Charting Establishment, and Joint Task Force X, which provides human intelligence support to overseas missions. "Placing our five intelligence collection units under a single commander will allow us to better integrate our activities," Rousseau explained. The stand-up of the intelligence group means that CF Intelligence Command, which until June of this year was known as Chief of Defence Intelligence, is now an operational command. The Chief of Defence Intelligence organization was originally created in 2004 to meet the heightened demand for operational intelligence. Building on lessons learned in recent expeditionary operations, it was recognized that placing the head of defence intelligence on par with other operational commanders would allow for better coordination of intelligence across all CAF operations. According to a statement by National Defence, "CFINTCOM will focus less on process and more on delivering mission-focused, outcome-oriented advice to commanders and decision makers. This organization will be better able to respond to evolving intelligence requirements in today's complex security environment. Integrating existing units will make CFINTCOM more effective by reducing the number of headquarters and command staff to 10 percent of the organization." S aircraft, and the Burgess-Dunne flying boat, Canada's first military aircraft purchase. The museum will be adding four more aircraft to its growing collection. Notable among them is a Sikorsky H-5 (S-51) Dragonfly helicopter purchased by the RCAF in 1947. It was the first helicopter operated by the RCAF and was used mainly for training. The others include a Chinook CH47 helicopter, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor and the prototype Canadair Tutor CT114. The growth in the museum's aircraft collection has been made possible through generous donations and the exceptional dedication and capability of the museum's own restoration workshop. Over the years workshop volunteers have restored or maintained all the aircraft in the museum collection. The greatest restoration challenge, and now the centerpiece of the museum, is the Handley Page Halifax Mark VII four-engine bomber. Seventy percent of all RCAF bomber crews in the Second World War flew their missions in a Halifax. The Museum's example was rescued in 1996 after 50 years at the bottom of Lake Mjøsa in Norway, and transported to the museum in badly deteriorated condition. It was restored over a period of 10 years through the dedicated effort of 60 volunteers who contributed more than 350,000 man-hours. The NAFMC's mission – to tell the Air Force story – is carried out by revealing not only the history but also the human stories of Canada's Air Force in ways that will generate excitement and attract visitors to the beautiful facility located at the CFB Trenton. General Guy Thibault appointed Vice Chief Air Force museum now flying to full potential The National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC) is moving into new facilities at CFB Trenton. The official repository of all things pertaining to air force history, the NAFMC has seen multiple renovations over the last few years, but the most recent will allow the museum to fully develop the potential of its 60,000 square foot main exhibit hall and adjacent outdoor 15 acre airpark. The museum features a total of 30 static aircraft displays including two detailed replica historic aircraft: the Silver Dart, Canada's first powered flight LGen Guy Thibault was appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS) last month. He took over the challenging role from VAdm Bruce Donaldson, who has retired. The appointment marks a highlight for Thibault, who brings extensive operational and leadership experience learned over his 35-year career. "I am incredibly honoured and humbled by the trust and confidence being placed in me by the departmental senior leadership to serve as the next Vice Chief of the Defence Staff," he said. "I am excited to be re-joining our outstanding defence leadership team and will endeavour to serve the Chief of the Defence Staff and Deputy Minister to the very best of my ability in advancing our Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces strategic agenda in this time of significant changes, challenges and opportunities." Thibault will serve as the second-in-command of the CAF and commander of the VCDS Group. www.vanguardcanada.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2013 7