PRTs in Afghanistan

Two articles on the work being done by the Canadian Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan. The first in the Globe and Mail and the second in the Toronto Sun.

US Army likes older recruits

Last year the US Army increased the maximum age for recruits to 42. Now the Washington Post has an article about how the older recruits have been doing.

Open source spying

The New York Times Magazine has an article on how the US intelligence agencies are trying to use various internet software ideas (especially wikis and blogging) to share information. The article is fairly long as it details some of the problems (mostly just resistance) encountered so far.

First Orca launched

The Victoria News has an article about the launch of the first vessel of the Canadian Navy's new Orca class of training ships. The ships will be mostly used for training new Regular and Reserve Naval officers.

CF pilots training on strategic transport aircraft

This article in the Trentonian indicates that Canadian Forces pilots are already in the US training in how to fly the giant C-17 Globemaster.

Turbans in combat

The Edmonton Sun has an article about a Canadian Forces Major, who is a Sikh, who has just returned from Afghanistan. Interestingly he was able to keep his beard and turban while there. He used his turban as a helmet liner and wore the hard kevlar shell over it. Apparently his beard doesn't interfere with the current issue gas mask - I believe that was always the objection to bearded troops.

Amphibious exercise wrap-up

The Trident has an article on the results of the previously mentioned amphibious exercise.

Navy improves technology

The Chronicle-Herald has two articles about potential new technology for the Canadian Navy.

The first is about a system for managing damage control.

The second is about a remote control system for firing a ship's machineguns. Currently sailors stand behind the guns and fire them manually. The new system will also compensate for the motion of the ship in the water.

CF changing its rules on bilingualism

An article in the Halifax Chronicle-Herald says that the Canadian Forces may be relaxing its rules on the bilingualism of its members.

Successful missile test

The Halifax Chronicle-Herald reports that HMCS Fredericton has successful completed a missile test where they fired two Sea Sparrow missiles. The missiles cost about $850,000 each but were nearing the end of their shelf-life.

HMC Submarines

Two articles in the Halifax Daily News about Canadian Navy submarines. The first is about the joint exercise with the Army's Pathfinders mentioned earlier. The second is about the living conditions on the subs. They don't sound very pleasant to me but I guess you can get used to anything.

More on amphibious exercise

The Trident has an article on the previously mentioned amphibious exercise being conducted by the Canadian Forces. The exercise, properly called the Integrated Tactical Effects Experiment or ITEE will be held from November 2 to 20. The article mentions the involvement of the US Marine Corps as mentors to the CF personnel.

Another article has some more info and a small picture of the inside of the USS Gunston Hall.

Hezbollah intercept Israeli communications

According to this article in newsday, Hezbollah used equipment acquired from Iran to intercept Israeli army communications during the recent fighting in Lebanon.

RMC cadets at sea

A blog posting from an RMC cadet about a class visit to HMCS Fredericton.

Naval boarding party training

The Trident has a short article on the training of the Canadian Naval boarding parties.

Canadian Army Journal

The new issue of the Canadian Army Journal is now available as a PDF download here. I haven't read the whole thing but the article on the Army Intelligence was interesting.

Navy to borrow US ship

According to this article in the Chronicle-Herald, the Canadian Forces will be borrowing the USS Gunston Hall, an amphibious warfare ship, in order to learn about amphibious operations.

Follow up: Another article in the Halifax News.

Commanding clearance divers

The Halifax News has an article that profiles the commander of Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic - a unit that includes 55 clearance divers.

New cap badges for CF chaplains

This news release describes the new cap badges that will be used by Canadian Forces Chaplains. Instead of one for all they now have different badges for chaplains of different religions.

vi The Torch

In his own words

The Telegraph has a book excerpt where Victoria Cross winner Private Johnson Beharry describes the events for which he was awarded the medal. Beharry, who was awarded the medal for his actions in Iraq in 2004, was the first living person awarded the VC since 1965.