Canada (Imagi-Nation)

[Hoth_902]

I know I will regret asking, but if your officers do not fly, then how did they get there experience as pilots? Did they start as NCOs and then got to Officer Candidate school? I... Um.. I ... wait.. um.. Ok. I am afraid to ask any more questions.

[MechCommander]

Yes Hoth they do start as NCOs, before becoming and Officer. Though most of that experience comes from Flight Simulator training, rather then actual flying.

[Hoth_902]

Ok.. so much to unpack, but I will stick to one thing. Your Pilots get most of there experience from simulators? Wow. Good thing NC has the US to defend them if the crap hit the fan. There is no substitution for actual flying.. My brother was in the air force and he was required to get a certain amount of stick time in the aircraft. So much so that every weekend they were thrown the keys to the jet and could go fly. He used one of those times to come see me. Along the way, from Texas to Indianapolis, they went into a fly zone to do some training. Simply put, you need to fly your jets to get real experience. Simulators only take you so far. Plus, in my experience with aircraft maintenance.. if you don't fly your jets, they get very grumpy and start to feel good about sitting on the ground. Again, you do you..

[MechCommander]

To be honest Hoth, I don't like the idea of giving the pilots the keys just fly the jets around on their free time. Both for safety and for major Security concerns.

[Hoth_902]

That is funny, that is all you got from that.. That there might be a security concern. The point to the story was to demonstrate how one of the top military forces in the world trains there people. Some of the things that were learned from the first gulf war, was that Iraqi pilots did not have a lot of stick time and If I am not mistaken, rarely flew at night. It was also found that the Armor forces had very little training time in there vehicles. I saw one documentary where a US tank commander said that if his troops were in the T-72, going up against the M1, they would have done a better job because of the amount of training the US tankers get compared to the Iraqi's.

You are a very interesting person Mech.. It is almost as if you are doing your best to do the opposite of what everyone tries to help you with. Especially considering that alot of the people giving you advice are former military.. Me excluded.

[MechCommander]

Off the coast of Nova Scotia
Live missile tests on the Kanata has resumed today with the MK 29 Sea sparrow launchers, and the MK 10 twin Rail launchers carrying RIM-66 Standard, 6 Target Drones took off from CFB Halifax to simulate an air attack using its missiles to shoot them down, starting with the 2 RIM-66 Missiles from the MK 10 rail launcher for long range, and 4 Sea Sparrows for short range.

[MechCommander]

SAGEM Sperwer.
After some modifications, this drone will act as the eyes for the people in the C&C room in order to obverse the battlefield in real time, and monitor troop movements, the drones Target acquisition systems has been removed completely, as that task falls to troops on the ground using a tripod mounted targeting laser. the drone is set to began test flights onboard HMCS R. B. Bennett once she is launched.

[MechCommander]

In a Statement made by a spokesmen for the Royal Canadian Navy, there will be no global patrols set up for this year, due to a lack of operational fleet oilers, as mechanical and structural problems are plaguing both Protecteur class Replenishment Oilers. both of those ships are currently laid up at their bases for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile the Invincible class fleet carrier HMCS Maple Leaf which is currently being built at a Victoria based shipyard has been slowed down due to a worker shortage. However the RCN impressed by a test video showing a F-18 taking off from a Ski Jump, proposed to have a squadron of CF-18s on the Maple leaf alongside the squadrons of AV-8 Harriers that will be stationed on the carrier.

[7.62]

Interesting and innovative idea Mech. I look forward to the landing trials.

Meanwhile in the Northern Pacific.
In light of the regional build up and the delay to the KDF future Flexpatrol combat ship program.
Karmanaskis is to go against its better judgement and used 1/2400 type ships as a stop gap.
With the help of sea museums and a Western Mediterranean arms dealer three ships made the trip to Karma last year.
Over the Winter the necessary shore training and prep was carried out.
The first of the 4,000 ton Frigates should start an ASW shakedown this week.

[MechCommander]

Indeed Mick, I ran across that video awhile back, which shows that the F-18 is compatible to be used on foreign Carriers with the ski jump such as the ones used by India. Though it would be a good idea to try out on a invincible class (once I get that model.)

And that type 2400 sub is the Upholder/Victoria class sub. Which NC does use all 4 of those subs.

[MechCommander]

CFB Esquimult.
A new Flight Simulator program is being conducted at the Pacfic base to train new pilots on the operations of the New CAV-8 Harrier and to perform simulated landings and take offs from the deck of the New Invincible class carrier HMCS Maple Leaf. The goal is to get the Harrier squadrons ready, before the Carrier they will be operating from is launched. The Aircraft Complement for the Maple Leaf will consist of 12 CAV-8 Harriers, 6 CF-18s, 4 Sea King ASW helicopters.

[MechCommander]

CFB Cold Lake.
There has been an incident at the RCAF base as two CF-18 Pilots from 4th Wing, where arrested and charged for vandalizing RCAF property by painting graffiti on the noses of 2 CF-18s, The pilots will be permanently suspended from flying and discharged out of the Airforce. The CF-18s will be taken away to a hanger have the graffiti removed from the Aircraft and rotated for new pilots.

The RCAF and the RCN Fleet Air Arm, does not tolerate, nor foster this kind of behavior. We want our jets to be more uniform and look presentable to our allies.

[chrisswim]

NC, please ask those two pilots to fly to Monaco AF Base just outside Monaco, Monacodom.
We would be delighted to interview those two. Ask them to bring their spouse and children along as we want to get to know them. We might be able to offer them a rewarding career in either the A.F. or the Navy.
Thanks much.

[MechCommander]

Guided Missile Destoryer Expansion.
The first batch of 4 used Charles F Adams Class DDGs will become online in February once they receive their fresh new paint jobs.
the 4 ships will be Commissioned under the Following names.

HMCS Rideau (DDG 283)
HMCS Atikameg (DDG-284)
HMCS Otadaonanis (DDG-285)
HMCS Kapiskau (DDG-286)

Also 2 more Belknap CGs will also becoming online as well.
HMCS Alberta (CG-35)
HMCS British Columbia (CG 36)

(GMs note, finally getting around to ordering models again since I have been a little tight on money as of late. ).

[MechCommander]

The RCN is proud to announce that HMCS John A McDonald has successfully finished her refit, the second KGV to do so. Her shakedown run is scheduled to start this weekend. Once done she will join her sistership HMCS Kanata in the Atlantic fleet in CFB Halifax. The Last KGV to be refitted HMCS R. B. Bennett is scheduled to be launched at her Vancouver shipyard in April, and joined the Pacfic fleet later that month. The SAGEM Sperwer drones that she will be using will become available for use at the Aircraft Depot in CFB Esquimult after her shakedown run. Its planned to have one drone stowed and tarped on the Ships launch rail in the stern, and the rest stored at the depot as spares.