RCAF chief says spike in defence spending is boosting flight times
Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet said the influx of federal funding is producing more spare parts, flying hours and readiness across the air force.
- On Sunday, Royal Canadian Air Force commander Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet reported that increased federal defense spending has boosted flying hours, enabling more spare parts and enhanced readiness.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney's government announced a major spike in defense spending over the past year to meet NATO commitments, allowing the military to pivot from planning to execution.
- Yearly flying hours for the CC-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemasters, and CF-18 Hornets are trending upward, which Speiser-Blanchet stated facilitates "necessary exercises or be able to participate in more training events with allies, and that translates to an increased level of readiness, interoperability, and ultimately contributes to operational effectiveness."
- Despite expanding, the roughly 15,000-strong force remains short some 2,000 personnel, prompting the RCAF to implement substantial pay hikes and promote new trade roles including aerospace telecommunications and information systems technicians.
- As the force modernizes, Speiser-Blanchet anticipates "tough decisions" regarding the "divestment of less-relevant capabilities," while the first F-35s are set for delivery to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona by year-end.
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40 Articles
The Toronto Star
‘Bright’ future: RCAF chief says spike in defence spending is boosting flight times
OTTAWA - One year into her new job as commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet said she could see an immediate effect of the federal government's
Winnipeg Free Press
'Bright' future: RCAF chief says spike in defence spending is boosting flight times
OTTAWA - One year into her new job as commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet said she could see an immediate effect of the federal government's defence spending boost: RCAF pilots are spending more time in the air.
Canada’s defence spending spike leads to boost in RCAF flight times: commander
One year into her new job as commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet said she could see an immediate effect of the federal government’s defence spending boost: RCAF pilots are spending more time in the air. In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Speiser-Blanchet also acknowledged that preparing the entire service for what she described as a rapid and “giant transformation” — rebuilding the whole plane w…
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