BY JOETEY ATTARIWALA

COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

CDR asked Aviation Editor, Joetey Attariwala, to meet with Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Their chat spanned numerous topics, but central to the discussion was the significance of this milestone year which celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

CDR: General Kenny, thank you for taking the time to speak with CDR. It’s great to have your input for this milestone year for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

LGen Kenny: Thanks, Joetey, it’s great to chat with you again, and I want to thank Canadian Defence Review for giving me the opportunity to speak about the RCAF, a subject that is obviously very close to my heart as I approach the two-year mark since taking command. I have heard it many times throughout my career that now is a great time to be in the RCAF, and I am happy to say that for the current and future cadre of RCAF aviators it holds true, as we embark on an unprecedented period of growth, modernization and transformation.

CDR: It’s been a great few months with many significant announcements for the Air Force — it really seems to be an exciting time for the service.

LGen Kenny: To be able to make the acquisition announcements we have made over the past 18 months, and to have a chance to highlight the RCAF in our Centennial year makes it all the more meaningful, and timely. With the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, conflict between Israel and Hamas and heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the renewed focus on defence, security, and international affairs demands that the RCAF be ready to deter conflict, and to fight and win if necessary.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

CDR: There is no doubt that it’s an unstable world. It makes me think about the storied history of the RCAF and the importance of it today. How do you reflect on the 100th Anniversary and some of the events that are planned this year?

LGen Kenny: Well, the RCAF Centennial officially kicked off on April 1st this year, but many celebrations and events started before that, and will continue throughout this 100th year. Having an opportunity to participate at the birthplace of the RCAF in Borden, Ontario on April 2^nd was very special. The Centennial organizers have offered a wide range of activities to celebrate the RCAF across the country and are doing a tremendous job of explaining the RCAF to Canadians — why we exist, how we operate and what we deliver on behalf of Canada and Canadians.

The RCAF has a long and distinguished history. It is a story of courage and sacrifice that shaped our nation’s military history and heritage. Our Centennial is focused on commemorating our history, recognizing our current aviators, and inspiring the future generation. In order to know where we are headed it’s important to know where we came from. Our start in 1924 was without much fanfare. During World War I, our aviators distinguished themselves and showed exemplary flying and shooting skills, earning more than 800 decorations. It was also during this time that military aviation in Canada got its start when the Royal Flying Corps Canada established its first station in Borden, Ontario, which would later become the birthplace of the RCAF on April 1^st, 1924.

Between the world wars, the RCAF played a critical role in domestic aerial operations: our aviators mapped much of Canada’s territory, assisted with fighting forest fires, anti-smuggling operations and fishery patrols, as well as developing airmail and long-distance flying routes across Canada.

We were called upon to fight tyranny in Europe during the Second World War and over 245,000 men and women answered the call to serve. At home, we served as ‘the aerodrome of democracy’ by training allied aviators through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. We also played a pivotal role in the Battle of Britain, the first battle in history where military aviation alone played a significant and decisive role. By the War’s end, we possessed the fourth largest Allied air force, and we gained the confidence and respect of Canadians and the world.

Our battle honours continued across the globe — we served in the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Gulf War. We served with our allies in North American Aerospace Defense Command [NORAD], the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], and the United Nations, successfully completing missions in Africa, Asia, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

I’d say we are a reliable partner in our binational and international defence alliances. NORAD has kept North America safe from external threats for 66 years and we are proud to serve alongside our American partners. We continue to be active members in the NATO alliance where our membership ensures our collective security and strengthens Canada’s position on the global stage.

We have also been there for our fellow Canadians in times of distress. Through ice storms, snow storms, floods, landslides, fires, hurricanes, and a global pandemic, the RCAF has answered the call for help. This includes, of course, our Search and Rescue teams who are always called out to action.

CDR: There’s no doubt that the RCAF has had a long and distinguished history — thank you for sharing that General.  Let’s shift focus to the threats facing Canada today and how they relate to the RCAF.

LGen Kenny: Unfortunately, we now live in a security environment that is more dire than I have seen in my career. Great power competition is back. Russia is on a full war footing; China is our pacing threat. North Korea continues to destabilize the peninsula and puts us at risk. Iran is supporting numerous groups such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, militias in Iraq and Syria, while supporting actors such as Russia, and we continue to see Violent Extremist Organizations in many parts of the world — you can look to many countries in Africa as examples of that.

Canada can no longer be seen as a distant sanctuary protected from global threats by vast oceanic approaches; the evolution and advancement of technology now gives the ability for those seeking to control greater economic, geopolitical, and global security resources, to threaten our homeland not only by land, sea, and air; but in the cyber and space environments as well.

We are at an inflection point. Our current capabilities are not where we need them to be. We don’t have the trained aviators we need, and we are grappling with the slow cultural evolution we need to make to unlock the full potential of our team. Having said that, I witness and read about the incredible job our team is doing to deliver air and space power. Our people have always been our foundation and will be into our second century.

NEW AIRCRAFT

CDR: You mentioned that the Air Force has been the beneficiary of some big announcements over the past months — what do they collectively mean for the Air Force moving forward?

LGen Kenny: I say that we are embarking on a modernization effort not seen since the Second World War. And this is real. It is already happening. In the past 18 months, we have announced six significant contracts valued at $60 billion, delivering 209 new or modified platforms to the RCAF, which include 16 upgraded Cormorants, 88 F-35 Lightning fighters, 9 CC-330 Husky MRTTs, 14 P-8 Poseidon’s, and 11 MQ-9B SkyGuardians.

Our most recent contract was the Future Aircrew Training [FAcT] program which will replace existing pilot training programs, as well as other RCAF programs for training Air Combat Systems Officers and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators trades, in order to advance the effectiveness and efficiencies through a common, more holistic approach to training aircrew. Once recruited, members need modern, high-quality training that puts them on a solid foundation to succeed. As part of FAcT, there will be 23 Grob 120TP, 19 PS-21 for Advanced Flying Training-Fixed Wing, 19 H135 helicopters, 7 King Air 260 for multi-engine, and 3 Dash-8 Q400 aircraft.

I’ll note that the Future Fighter Lead-In Training project is a separate RCAF initiative, and that pilot training within the FAcT program is the initial training that all pilots will complete as part of their training before being awarded their Wings and move on to commence operational specific training at RCAF Operational Training Units, or Fighter Lead-In Training for those going to CF-18 or the CF-35.

CDR: These new aircraft should really improve the ability for the RCAF to deliver effect, especially since older aircraft are harder to support.

LGen Kenny: The CP-140 Aurora fleet was originally procured in 1980 and is currently scheduled to retire from service in 2030. Procuring a new fleet is required to continue protecting Canadian sovereignty along our three coastlines. Seamless replacement of CP-140 implies a Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft capability that is fully operationally ready; interoperable with allies and key partners; and, able to contribute to Canada’s domestic and international commitments by 2030, with full operational capability anticipated by 2033. The first P-8A should be delivered in 2026.

We have already taken possession of two CC-330’s. By 2029, we will have 8 Huskies that are tanker configured to replace our 2 Polaris tankers. That’s a fourfold increase in our air-to-air refueling capability, and the ninth and final CC-330 Husky will be a VIP configured aircraft.

For the CF-18, our team is working to integrate the new APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radars into 36 jets. I expect we will achieve Initial Operational Capability in the coming month with these aircraft first being flown out of 3 Wing Bagotville.

We are about 2 and a half years out from receiving our first CF-35’s at Luke AFB in Arizona. Leveraging our partnership with the United States also means we can send student fighter pilots to train in Arizona, and this means a smoother transition to the CF-35.

SPACE

CDR: These are exciting times indeed, General. The Air Force is also responsible for the space domain, so what’s the latest on that front?

LGen Kenny: It’s important to appreciate that the Space domain is a key component to future conflicts. We are approaching the 2nd anniversary of standing up 3 Canadian Space Division, responsible for delivering space power in support of Canadian and allied military operations, ensuring that Canada maintains awareness in the space domain. We are acquiring new satellites and systems as we continue to work with allies in this important domain with space-based surveillance and satellite communications.

The first 3 CSD Commander introduced the concept of ‘space-mindedness’ which is a mindset that acknowledges the critical dependency that every CAF operation and activity has on space. 3 CSD has adopted an ‘allied by design’ approach that governs how they work with its closest allies. These partnerships were formalized in various Memorandums of Understanding, including with the Canadian Space Agency, the United States Space Command, and the National Reconnaissance Office of the United States of America.

You may recall that at CANSEC, the Commander of 7 Wing, alongside industry partners MDA and Telesat, announced the establishment of the Canadian Commercial Integration Cell [CIC].

The CIC is a new CAF/Industry information-sharing structure focused on space operations, intended to enable discussions and data-sharing at the appropriate security level. This will formalize the process of communicating timely and relevant information, leveraging the capability to protect Canada’s interests in space.

DEFENCE POLICY UPDATE

CDR: The long-anticipated Defence Policy Update has finally been released. I’d love for you to share how the document relates to the Air Force.

LGen Kenny: This new defence policy for Canada recognizes that the most urgent and important task we face is protecting Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic and northern regions, where the changing physical and geopolitical landscapes have created new threats to Canada and Canadians. This includes the need to upgrade our continental defences to deter threats or defeat them when necessary.

Our North, Strong and Free includes new investments for the RCAF which include a more modern, mobile, and effective tactical helicopter capability; a new fleet of airborne early warning aircraft; enhancements to Canada’s intelligence and cyber operations; and a worldwide satellite communications capability and satellite ground station in the Arctic. These tools, equipment, and aircraft are necessary to ensure we have the right infrastructure to support Arctic Operations, protect our northern sovereignty, and meet commitments to our allies.

We have already begun the process of identifying exactly what we will need for the next Tactical Aviation Capability Set [nTACS] that will eventually replace the Griffon in the 2030s and beyond. This capability is not strictly a Griffon replacement and is expected to include a mix of crewed and uncrewed aircraft that will ensure Canada has modern aircraft to meet domestic and international requirements.

PERSONNEL

CDR: We’ve talked about the threats and we’ve talked about modernization. None of it happens without people, and it’s no secret the Air Force, and the CAF, is challenged in that regard. How is the Air Force doing when it comes to the personnel component?

LGen Kenny: Many ask me, how can you modernize when you are short of people?

My response is simple — we have no choice. If we want to effectively deter our adversaries and protect Canada, then we must treat modernization as our highest priority with people being the foundation.

Having the right people in the right jobs is key to the RCAF’s ability to perform operations. This means attracting, training, and retaining talented individuals who have the skills to operate in a modern, complex, fast-paced environment. While we are able to meet our obligations under NORAD, NATO, and domestic operations today, we need to grow the RCAF to ensure we will be able to meet the operational demands of the future.

Currently we remain in a people deficit of approximately 2,000 people. There have been promising signs — our numbers are up, not significantly, but up, and just a few days ago I was briefed that we are sitting at 27% of our projected Strategic Intake Plan for 24/25. So, we are a quarter of the way there at only a few months into the fiscal year. We have a ways to go but the signs are pointing in the right direction. I fully expect that we will be able to grow the RCAF Regular Force numbers in a substantial way in the next few years.

The RCAF does not own most of the levers related to personnel policy, but we are launching a new framework that addresses retention — ensuring it aligns with efforts led by Chief Military Personnel. Some of our initiatives are already working for us. For example, last year, the RCAF oversaw the completions of more than 210 in-service selection application files, allowing members to pursue new opportunities within the Canadian Armed Forces via occupation transfer, commissioning, and speciality employment.

Another good news story is the RCAF Reserve’s Total Force employment concept, which enables the transfer of valuable skills and knowledge back and forth from Regular to Reserve service while providing flexibility of service to our members.

We have benefited from additional funding to permit reservists to surge to full-time Class B service, both for the current fiscal and into 2024-2025. In addition, the Compulsory Retirement Age extensions to age 65 for the RCAF Reserve are now more flexible in support of Reconstitution efforts. More than 200 requests have been approved this past year.

We are identifying and leveraging opportunities for RCAF women to participate in unique professional development to build on their existing skillsets, provide valuable networking opportunities and a space to discuss and address some of the unique challenges of RCAF service. And work is ongoing to integrate intersectional analysis into the development of RCAF systems and processes to remove systemic barriers and make the organization more inclusive and responsive to members.

CDR: What do you see when you look at the future of the RCAF?

LGen Kenny: The RCAF of 2035 will not be the RCAF of today — it cannot be. We need to rapidly modernize. Our adversaries are implementing and streamlining Anti-Access and Area Denial strategies, which is a military strategy to control access to and within an operating environment. Future RCAF capabilities and upgrades to current capabilities must be able to mitigate and overcome the technologies enabling this strategy.

We are prioritizing commitments to NORAD, we are focusing on continental defence and acquiring the capabilities that allow us to see and detect threats so that we can protect Canadians. Currently, we are focused on investing in new technological solutions such as Over the Horizon Radar and space-based surveillance to improve early warning and tracking of potential threats to North America.

NORAD Modernization sees us collaborating with our allies at every phase of the process, especially as we work to determine operational and system requirements. This enables us to seamlessly integrate, synchronize effects, and coordinate with Joint, NORAD, and FVEY allies in a networked System over Systems construct, as well as the ability to interoperate with NATO, Allies, and other Government Departments.

We, the RCAF along with DND, our allies, and our partners in the defence industry, have a singular opportunity to get this right — the world is not getting any safer and we do not have time to wait. Now is the time to act and that is exactly what we are doing.

CDR: Thank you General, and happy 100th Anniversary to the Royal Canadian Air Force!

Joetey Attariwala is CDR’s Aviation Editor