Canada's new C-17 transport makes frist trip to Afghanistan

The CTV reports on the first CC-177 (that's the Canadian designation) and its first flight to Afghanistan.

Canadian journalists to wear dogtags

According to this article from CTV, journalists traveling with Canadian Forces in Afghanistan will have to wear dogtags. The Globe and Mail also mentions the story. Neither article has anything about what journalists think of the new policy.

Naval Reserve programme for aboriginal youth

The Victoria Times-Colonist has an article about a programme run by the Canadian Naval Reserve for aboriginal youth. The participants are put through basic training and then can either stay in the Naval Reserve or, if they don't live near a Naval Reserve Division, can transfer to other reserve units such as the Canadian Rangers, or if they don't like military life they can be honourably discharged.

Computer pilots beat humans at refueling

The Register (of all places) has an article about DARPA's recent advances in piloting computers. The computers are now better than human pilots at docking with air to air refueling tankers. This will presumably allow UAVs to stay airborne indefinitely (or at least until the require maintenance). Another interesting point:

If it was human, it would now retire and go to work for the airlines, and the military would have to start again with a another second lieutenant; but the robot will stay this good forever, or improve.

Blog post: Tactical Operations Centres

Blogger Michael Yon has a post that is, at least partly, about the Tactical Operations Centres of various sized units. He also discusses and has photos of the different UAVs used by the various units.

Canadian Navy to study use of UAVs

The Halifax Chronicle-Herald reports that the Canadian Navy is investigating the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles from its ships. Another article on Canoe has a bit more information and a picture of a Bombardier UAV.

Canadian Sub Stalks Aircraft Carrier

The Maple Leaf has a brief article about the Canadian submarine HMCS Corner Brook getting within torpedo range of the British aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious during an exercise in May. There is a great picture of Illustrious taken through Corner Brook's periscope.