RAUSI - The Royal Alberta United Services Institute on LinkedIn: Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Royal Alberta… (2024)

In a strategic move, the HMCS Margaret Brooke, one of Canada's new offshore patrol vessels, docked in Havana last Friday with Cuban government approval. This visit coincided with a Russian navy missile submarine's presence. Canadian officials emphasized the importance of maintaining military vigilance and monitoring foreign naval activities. Read full story: https://bit.ly/4cq8byo #MilitaryVigilance #HMCSMargaretBrooke #Cuba #RussianNavy

1

Share your thoughts on Canada's military colleges in Kingston and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu by 15 September 2024.

2

L J (Joe) Howard, CD, PhD, LLM, MA: What’s the cost of freedom? Acquiring capital assets creates annuities in operating and maintenance costs, and risks in operational effectiveness. The US’ acquisition of Lockheed Martin’s 5th generation F-35 aircraft illustrates this. The strategic, operational and tactical advantages and shortcomings of the F-35 v. those of allies’ and adversaries’ aircraft are widely documented and debated. Arguable peers to the F-35 in battlespace performance are other 5th / 6th generation aircraft: China’s FC-31 / J-31 / J-35, Japan’s Mitsubishi F-X, ROK’s KF-21, and Russia’s Su-35 / Su-57. EU states continue to employ 4th generation Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault's Mirage and Rafale, and Saab’s Gripen. The debate deserves counterpoint in financial cost. Using the US as a base case, the US Air Force, Marines and Navy have collectively contracted to buy and employ 2,456 F-35s to an estimated retirement date of 2088. Canada and the UK (RAF and RN) have committed to 88 and 138, respectively. In 2018, the US Government Accounting Office (GAO) estimated total operating and maintenance cost during the F-35’s life was USD 700 Billion, updated in 2024 to USD 1.6 tn. To offer perspective, Canada’s 2023 GDP is USD 2.1 Bn, the UK’s, 3.1 Bn. Back-stories to numbers are key. The F-35 is continually being improved, yet the USAF finds major upgrades in Lockheed Martin’s ‘Technology Refresh 3’ and successor ‘Block 4” programs currently beleaguer the F-35’s reliability. Reliance on labyrinth-esque supply chains of third-party parts suppliers does likewise. Block 4 enables the F-35 to employ improved ordnance and target recognition and EW capability, yet backlogs of software necessary for conducting check flights delay delivery. The GAO found obstacles in poor training and shortage of parts and equipment. “The F-35’s availability has trended downward considerably over the past five years, …none of the F-35 variants are meeting availability goals — the percentage of time the aircraft can perform one of its tasked missions. …[it] is not meeting most of its performance goals.”As noted in the previous post, Bloomberg recently estimated the cost of the West’s re-arming at USD 10 tn. Given financial costs and operational non-effectiveness of the F-35 alone, is 10 Trillion light? Freedom comes at an indeterminable price and a heavy cost.About the author:Dr. Joe Howard is a consulting analyst in international law and geopolitics. Currently President of RAUSI, he served in the Canadian Armed Forces on UN and NATO operations. He consults to the UN, US and European governments, the private sector and universities in Africa, Asia and Europe.

5

With a heavy heart, we share the news of Maj R.S. Westbury, CD (Retired)'s passing. Maj Westbury was a respected figure within the RAUSI community, serving as President from 2000 to 2002 and maintaining a lifetime membership. His contributions and dedication have left a lasting impact on us all.To pay respects and offer condolences, please visit the obituary page: https://bit.ly/44G3i1eA memorial service will be held on Wednesday, 15 May 2024 at 1000 hrs at Foster's Garden Chapel, 3220 4 Street NW. Your presence and support would mean a great deal to those mourning his loss.

10

2 Comments

On 30 April 2024, Canada Border Services Agency | Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (CBSA) Director Lisa White and Assistant Director and prospective RAUSI - The Royal Alberta United Services Institute Board Member Deanna Manson attended the True Patriot Love Foundation Captain Nichola Goddard Women in Leadership Series in Calgary, AB. A forum for the sharing of ideas between the military and corporate worlds, it featured a moderated panel discussion with Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes (CAF) members and Veterans discussing their experience as women leaders. The event was also a networking opportunity for like-minded individuals and supporters. Assistant Director Deanna Manson is an RCAF veteran of 28 years, former United Nations employee, and currently manages an immigration enforcement program line at CBSA. Having dedicated her professional life to the public service and the safety and security of Canadians, Deanna was proud to attend this function and hear from women leaders in the CAF and the Veterans community. For more information about the True Patriot Love foundation and the Captain Nichola Goddard Women in Leadership Series, please visit: https://lnkd.in/g7TfRUJKPhoto: CBSA Director Lisa White (left) and Assistant Director Deanna Manson (right).#TruePatriotLove #CaptainNicholaGoddard #WomenInLeadership #InspiringLeadership #CanadianForces #Veterans #EmpowerWomen #CBSA #MilitaryCommunity

25

1 Comment

TONIGHT! Join our free Zoom session featuring LGen (Ret'd) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire, where he will shed light on the crucial topic of mental wellness in honour of Mental Health Week (May 6-12).Thursday, 9 May 2024, 1800 hrs (MT). All are welcome. Invite a guest. Registration required. Register: https://bit.ly/3x2zXS3

4

“Leaders are what makes our military honourable and Romeo Dallaire is the essence of a leader.” – Corporal Shane Mutlow (Ret’d), Rwanda Veteran.Join us for an inspiring evening with a true leader. Register today to learn LGen (Ret'd) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire's revolutionary insights on conflict prevention, our shared humanity, and solutions for lasting peace. 9 May 2024, 1800 hrs MT, via Zoom. Register now and be part of this transformative conversation: https://bit.ly/3x2zXS3#Leadership #PeaceBuilding #RoméoDallaire

1

With a profound mixture of empathy and experience, LGen (Ret'd) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire will share his revolutionary insights via Zoom on 9 May 2024, 1800 hrs MT. Learn about his perspectives on conflict prevention, our shared humanity, and solutions for lasting peace. The former Senator will also showcase his recent book “The Peace: A Warrior’s Journey."Register for free: https://bit.ly/3x2zXS3#RomeoDallaire #ConflictPrevention #FreeLecture #RMCSD

20

1 Comment

LGen (Ret'd) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire lived through the biblical horror of genocide in Rwanada in 1994. He understands the hell of war and offers solutions for lasting peace in his recent book “The Peace: A Warrior’s Journey." Join us for a compelling Zoom discussion with him on 9 May 2024, 1800 hrs MT. Register for free at: https://bit.ly/3x2zXS3#RomeoDallaire #UnitedNations #Rwanda #MilitaryInsights #PeacekeeperAnalysis #ConflictPrevention #FreeLecture

26