The 2009 Canada Army Run, a unique running event in which civilians run, walk, or wheel side-by-side with members of the Canadian Forces in half-marathon and 5K events, is scheduled for September 20, 2009 in Ottawa.
Launched in 2008, the Army Run made Canadian history by shattering records for the largest number of entrants for an inaugural run. The sold-out event brought together 7000 civilians and military personnel and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Soldier On and the Military Families Fund, initiatives which support injured soldiers and military families in need. The event drew participants from every province and territory in Canada, as well as from the United States and dozens of other countries.
“We expect to break records for growth this year,” said Major Christopher Horeczy, Army Run Director, “particularly in the numbers of civilians who join us. It’s an opportunity for the military – Air Force, Army, and Navy – to extend our military esprit de corps and camaraderie to all Canadians and to express our appreciation for their support. It’s also an opportunity for civilians to run, walk or wheel beside the Canadian men and women who serve them at home and abroad.”
CDR’s correspondent on the ground at the recent Paris Air Show is reporting that, UAV specialist, Aeronautics Ltd. will make a bid for Canada’s JUSTAS program with an aircraft platform built at the Diamond Aircraft plant in London, Ontario. Diamond has been building recreational and training aircraft at the London plant since 1992 and is one of the bigger employers in that city.
Retired Lt. Gen. Bill Leach, former Chief of Land Staff, received a US $10,000 check May 27 from Greg Bilhartz, BAE Systems FMTV Canada Program Manager, and Alan Garwood, BAE Systems Group Business development director. The check was donated to the Canadian Military Families Fund during the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa.
NGRAIN announced it is opening an office in Ottawa which will accommodate a regional staff of business development, sales, project management, instructional design, 3D modeling and customer support professionals, expands NGRAIN’s reach across Canada. The Ottawa team will provide direct support to NGRAIN’s local and east coast customers and partners.
The Government of Canada has awarded Thales a $12.5 million Persistence Surveillance Towers System contract. The Thales Deployable Integrated Sensors for Compound Security (DISCUS) system, will provide the Canadian Army with the ability to protect personnel against improvised explosive devices through the use of persistent wide area observation, detection, identification and monitoring.
L-3 MAS, a division of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Group, announced it has been awarded a contract, together with partner BAE Systems Australia, to provide long term maintenance and modification support to the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18 aircraft fleet. The four-year contract has a potential total value of approximately AUD $150 million and includes extension options through 2018.
After Army commander Lt. Gen. Leslie’s admission several months ago that he handed in $50 million which could not be spent, the Auditor General’s report has identified the lack of accurate and timely information for decision makers as the contributing factor in the lapsing of more than $300 million in funding that was available during the 2007–08 fiscal year. “The funding is now permanently unavailable to the Department to meet its ongoing requirements. This is a serious consequence for a department that has stated a need for additional funds to fulfill its mandate.”
Bell Helicopter, a Textron has announced that the U.S. Army awarded the company a $60.3 million contract for 24 of its Model 407 helicopters, which the Army will provide to the Iraqi Air Force as part of a planned Foreign Military Sale to Iraq.
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense has selected the Bell Model 407 as the basis for a new Iraqi Air Force armed scout helicopter. Initial aircraft deliveries to the U.S. Army are expected to begin later this year. The 24 Model 407 helicopters, built at Bell's commercial aircraft manufacturing facility in Mirabel, Canada, will be militarized by the U.S. Army to meet Iraqi Air Force requirements.
The National Air Force Museum of Canada recently announced the official opening of the Centennial of Flight Display entitled: “From the Burgess-Dunne to the Globemaster III”. The announcement coincides with The Boeing Company’s $125,000 donation to the RCAF Memorial Foundation to assist the NAFMC’s expansion program.
The new display celebrates advances in aviation technology over the past 100 years and highlights the renowned history and heritage of Canada’s Air Force. In addition to the 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight in Canada, the aviation community is also celebrating the 85th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the 25th Anniversary of the National Air Force Museum of Canada.
The 2009 Canada Army Run, a unique running event in which civilians run, walk, or wheel side-by-side with members of the Canadian Forces in half-marathon and 5K events, is scheduled for September 20, 2009 in Ottawa. 
CDR’s correspondent on the ground at the recent Paris Air Show is reporting that, UAV specialist, Aeronautics Ltd. will make a bid for Canada’s JUSTAS program with an aircraft platform built at the Diamond Aircraft plant in London, Ontario. Diamond has been building recreational and training aircraft at the London plant since 1992 and is one of the bigger employers in that city. 
