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Recent content by Blair Gilmore

  1. Blair Gilmore

    Politics in 2017

    I was fortunate to meet three top Canadian political movers and shakers this past week, Andrew Scheer, the CDS, and LGen (Ret'd) Romeo Dallaire. It is always good to meet people like this in person to gain the full measure of the person. A couple of quick facts, Scheer is a tall man, army CDS...
  2. Blair Gilmore

    Defining Foreign and Defence Policy (and hence our Military Force)

    I got to sit in on MP Scott Brison's recent talk about the Defence Policy at the CFB Halifax MFRC. The Liberals are fanning out across the country and making all the right noises about the new plans. MND will be probably speaking about the new ships when he addresses the sailors on Monday here...
  3. Blair Gilmore

    Constructing the CCG Hero class [Merged]

    Although the Liberal government is promising to finally boost the CCG with some decades in coming spending, they're still making mistakes by cutting programs such as the Dive Team in Richmond, BC. It's the only team of its type in all of Canada and it fills a rescue niche for the Lower Mainland...
  4. Blair Gilmore

    "Government crisis response centre outdated, inefficient and understaffed"

    I think this lack of preparedness trickles down right to the municipal level as well. The recent flooding in Ontario and Quebec demonstrated again that although well meaning, public officials are not adequately prepared to get ahead of an incident. They have neither the training or experience to...
  5. Blair Gilmore

    Politics in 2017

    I'm not a particular fan of Trudeau's government but doing away with prohibition of a common plant is long overdue. The anti-drug warriors are fighting a losing battle and are firmly entrenched after a century of propaganda, alarmist hyperbole and political obstinance. Also, I believe Kellie...
  6. Blair Gilmore

    Slow Erosion of Military History

    Actually, while doing research for my article I came across this reference: 1874's 'Taiping Rebellion' in China saw the biggest death count, with over 20 million dead. It was however the biggest loss of British troops with 1 in 10 dying. Over all, 700,000 out of 6 million who enlisted. (Some...
  7. Blair Gilmore

    Slow Erosion of Military History

    I recently attended a small gathering to listen to Honorary Colonel John Boileau's take on the Canadian contribution to WW1 which included his research on Vimy Ridge. As the 100th Anniversary of the Easter battle is approaching, I reflected on my key take-aways from the lecture. 1. Canada had...
  8. Blair Gilmore

    FWSAR (CC130H, Buffalo, C27J, V22): Status & Possibilities

    Actually, after discussing the issue with LGen(Ret'd) Lucas, the Spartan bid was the same as Airbus's. In fact, Airbus was allowed to overbid for the back end of the contract by $1.3B! That money might be part of the Defence spending that was pushed out by the Budget but Airbus shouldn't have...
  9. Blair Gilmore

    FWSAR (CC130H, Buffalo, C27J, V22): Status & Possibilities

    I was contacted by LGen(Ret'd) Steve Lucas, a spokesperson for Leonardo, on their position reference the awarding of the contract. Below are the items that we discussed: http://www.happydiver.space/?p=347
  10. Blair Gilmore

    Gap Year

    Here's my OP REGULUS experience as a MARS officer down in Chile back in 2013: http://www.happydiver.space/?p=328
  11. Blair Gilmore

    Clearance diver

    I see the two threads were merged. Everyone was impressed with the Unit and the tour. Other than SAR Techs, I would say Clearance Diver is quite the kick-a$$ trade.
  12. Blair Gilmore

    Clearance diver

    Our group just went through FDU(A) for a tour. Here's what the Clearance Divers in Halifax are up to: http://www.happydiver.space/?p=310
  13. Blair Gilmore

    The Canadian Peacekeeping Myth (Merged Topics)

    If Canada plans on sending troops to a quagmire such as Mali, we had better be prepared for the mental casualties as well as the physical ones: https://rusi-ns.ca/vtecs/
  14. Blair Gilmore

    The war doesn’t end when soldiers return home

    Here's a link to a recent article for RUSI(NS) on Romeo Dallaire's Child Soldiers Initiative and the work being done through their VTECS program: https://rusi-ns.ca/vtecs/
  15. Blair Gilmore

    FWSAR (CC130H, Buffalo, C27J, V22): Status & Possibilities

    Mark from Ottawa, Thanks for posting my article. I used to work SAR with the CCG plus 442 Sqn in Comox, so I have a passion for the subject and connections with the field. Word in the SAR community is they will make do with the Airbus as it's better than nothing. The Buffalos will be @60 years...
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