Canada

On this page you will find a selection of my work for Canadian armed forces and about military events in Canada.

Please feel free to download some PDF copies of my published work for non-commercial purposes.

If you work in the Canadian armed forces and you would like to hear about me from someone you may know, I have personally met and worked closely with the following persons who are well aware of the work I do:

A. Day (15 Wing), M. Hatta (419 Sqn), R. Kean (419 Sqn), C. Marks (419 Sqn), B. McNaughton (15 Wing).
(first names are withheld for privacy reasons, ranks because they change over time)

Dirk Jan de Ridder

Training NATO’s Finest, in Global Aviator (June 2015)
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afm-2103

A Changing Force, in AirForces Monthly (March 2021)

Cold Lake – Where Fighter Pilots Are Made, in AirForces Monthly (February 2019)
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“We have a robust close air support phase to help us better support our ground forces engaged in the land battle below. We did do self-escort strike [during my training here], but at that time we didn’t do time sensitive targeting or dynamic targeting. These are all things that you’re doing every day in the modern battle space, so the training has changed to reflect what is being done real world. That is very exciting. We are as close to the front line as you can possibly be, but still giving them the developmental learning, entry-level examples, and increasing the intensity from there.”

LtCol Colin Marks
about how 419 Squadron’s course has evolved since he completed pilot training

“When we established the program here, we did have a lot of input and participation from other nations and we wanted to make sure we captured as much of their desires and wishes as possible. At ENJJPT they’ve taken a mostly USAF training program and they’ve invited other nations to participate in it. The big benefit [of NFTC] is being able to incorporate the desires of our partners.”

Col Alex Day
explains the benefits of NATO Flying Training in Canada over ENJJPT

The Last Step – NFTC Phase IV pilot training
January 22, 2019
419 Squadron is responsible for NATO Flying Training in Canada Phase IV training - the last step before the cockpit of a frontline fighter jet. Read more
Busy times for the Hornet community
October 3, 2015
I visited CFB Cold Lake to speak with captain Jean-Sebastien ‘Ike’ Desmarais, a Hornet pilot who deployed to both Europe and Kuwait. Read more
Training NATO’s Finest
July 4, 2015
NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) is a military pilot training program for NATO and allied air forces provided by the Royal Canadian Air Force. Read more