“The lessons? Our enemies are human, they can be beaten, and hell hath no fury like a woman sick of sharia.

Nicola Timmerman’s Valentine’s Day reminder.

Please send a brief message to the troops. There are fewer and fewer messages I find, and often they are weekly from the same people.
Go to www.forces.gc.ca and pick English or French and then click on the right hand side box which says Write to the Troops. You can write a bilingual message if you want..

A 360 degree view from the pilot’s seat. (h/t Dave S.)

Rob writes – “Spent a part of last night with some fellow soldiers at the armoury in Saskatoon watching this interview – compelling stuff from an articulate warrior poet who would rather forget the whole thing that won him the Medal of Honour.”

Can’t see this happening at Cold Lake:

Extreme sledding: Surely a capability the Canadian Air Force needs

Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4
h/t michael st.paul’s

Now is the time at SDA when we juxtapose!
GamePolitics.com – Dovetailing nicely with recent news that the U.S. military is planning a larger role for videogames in training, GameTech 2010 takes place in Orlando, Florida from March 29-31 and focuses on “gaming technologies that enhance warfighter training.”
NPR blog – Army Steps Up Efforts to Get New Troops Fit

VJ Day in Honolulu, August 14, 1945
Calvin writes, via email;

I was there.
I, a Marine Sergeant, met up with three strangers, a Seabee missing some front teeth and old enough to be my father, and a couple of British sailors. (A Brit aircraft carrier was in Pearl Harbor at that moment). The four of us downed enough liquor to start up a small town bar.
There was a park just across Waikiki Boulevard from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel that was mostly walking paths, a bench here and there, grass and trees (it’s all high rise buildings now). Groups of servicemen from all the branches of service were sitting around in small groups drinking, singing, and occasionally yelling. Inebriation ranged from the first wet of the whistle to passed out in a puddle of vomit, but most of us were in that happy in-between land of fun and frolic.
A world class hangover the next day, but nary a regret.

h/t Robert W.

Actually 63.5 tonnes officially in the photo:

Where Canada and Denmark led…
…the US Marines follow…

You know what scares the hell out of dismounted insurgents? 70 tons of badassery…

Canadian badassery (with some German help):

“Canadians have been brainwashed, in large measure by our own governments”. Pity:

Canadians and combat (not)
Just not our thing anymore, actually…

John Gillespie Magee, Jr. And for all pilots everywhere:

High Flight

Photo credit Lee Sorenson
“Attached are photos from Beny-sur-Mer the Canadian Cemetery in Reviers, France, in honor of their sacrifice to those of us who are still free. My thanks to the Canadian Army.”
Others: 1, 2, 3, 4

Perhaps it’s just me, but shouldn’t tonight’s Drudge headline look more like this?

In colour. Enjoy!

Mr MacNair’s first, quick, post from Kandahar Air Field is here, plus a previous one from Baden-Baden en route.
One photo:

Some backstory: These gentlemen are Canadian Army, part of the 3 Area Support Group Technical Services Division, and apparently had a lot of time on their hands while at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick. This performance was part of an army services parade in Halifax. Impressive.

h/t Dave S.

Pardon me for asking, but why isn’t Paul Refsdal dead yet?

That’s the big question about any post-2011 Canadian Forces’ Afghan mission:

Afstan flash: One and half cheers for Peter MacKay/Dipper Update

Surprised ?

Union selfishness and new Air Force aircraft

With a jab at Prof. Byers of the NDP.

We get e-mail:

I thought to write you this short note with less than 44 hours to go before kick-off at the BC Lions’ first home game of the 2010 CFL football season. As you are likely already aware, this season will be a unique one as the Lions’ return to Empire Field and will play all their home games outdoors while BC Place receives its new retractable roof.
Unfortunately, the Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson, has thrown a wrench into the opening ceremonies by not allowing an Air Force CF-18 fighter jet conduct a fly past at 500 feet AGL (Above Ground Level). Earlier today, the Mayor notified the BC Lions’ office that he had changed his mind and would no longer allow the fly past to take place. The President of the BC Lions, Mr. Dennis Skulsky, has tried to contact the Mayor directly to discuss the matter but Mayor Robertson has made himself unavailable.
So with that said, I’ve decided to contact all my friends, colleagues and business associates that are supporters of our men and women in uniform to advise them of this unfortunate development and to solicit your support to have Mayor Robertson honour his word and re-approve this fly past which I believe will allow the fans at Saturday’s game cheer for our troops.
Mayor Robertson’s telephone number is 604-873-7621 and e-mail is gregor.robertson@vancouver.ca should you wish to make your thoughts on this issue known…….the troops appreciate your support.

Because that nasty, loud jet-plane might disturb the heroin addicts, pollute the trees in Stanley Park, and drown out the foul-mouthed tirade of the street-person harrassing you for the change in your pocket, you know.
Update: SDA gets results!