Friday, September 29, 2023
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Inside Defence

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Vice-Admiral J.R. Auchterlonie, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, speaks to the Canadian Armed Forces members tasked with training recruits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during Operation Unifier in the United Kingdom on May 18. DND photograph by Corporal Marco Tijam
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Vice-Admiral J.R. Auchterlonie, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, speaks to the Canadian Armed Forces members tasked with training recruits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during Operation Unifier in the United Kingdom on May 18. DND photograph by Corporal Marco Tijam
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Instead of replacing the aging Polaris fleet, surely it would be cheaper and a better use of resources for the various government departments to simply charter the passenger flights on an ‘as-required’ basis, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Instead of replacing the aging Polaris fleet, surely it would be cheaper and a better use of resources for the various government departments to simply charter the passenger flights on an ‘as-required’ basis, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
The skyline of Russia's capital is now speckled with modern skyscrapers built within the last two decades. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
The skyline of Russia's capital is now speckled with modern skyscrapers built within the last two decades. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
The HMCS Ottawa flies the Battle Ensign during a photo exercise while transiting the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 26, 2023. The ship was among an allied battle group East China Sea that encountered a pair of Chinese warship in the East China Sea last week. DND photograph by Aviator Gregory Cole
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
The HMCS Ottawa flies the Battle Ensign during a photo exercise while transiting the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 26, 2023. The ship was among an allied battle group East China Sea that encountered a pair of Chinese warship in the East China Sea last week. DND photograph by Aviator Gregory Cole
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
For the men and women of 8 Wing, the charges against Col. Leif Dahl, left, are the second time the trust in their leadership and chain of command have been challenged in recent memory, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of DND, Lieutenant Kurt Visser
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
For the men and women of 8 Wing, the charges against Col. Leif Dahl, left, are the second time the trust in their leadership and chain of command have been challenged in recent memory, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of DND, Lieutenant Kurt Visser
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Russian authorities say Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead following an Aug. 23 plane crash north of Moscow, but almost nothing in Russian politics is exactly as it seems, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of the BBC
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Russian authorities say Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead following an Aug. 23 plane crash north of Moscow, but almost nothing in Russian politics is exactly as it seems, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of the BBC
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, mentor Ukrainian recruits during a trench clearance on Operation Unifier, on Feb. 2 in the United Kingdom. Since the spring of 2015, Canada’s Operation Unifier has trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, mentor Ukrainian recruits during a trench clearance on Operation Unifier, on Feb. 2 in the United Kingdom. Since the spring of 2015, Canada’s Operation Unifier has trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian military is no longer the parade square paper tigers that rolled across the Ukraine border in February 2022, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of President of Ukraine/Flickr and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian military is no longer the parade square paper tigers that rolled across the Ukraine border in February 2022, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of President of Ukraine/Flickr and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
According to documents released under the Access to Information Act, some 252 executives at the Department of National Defence—now overseen by Minister Bill Blair—received a performance bonus between April 2021 and March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
According to documents released under the Access to Information Act, some 252 executives at the Department of National Defence—now overseen by Minister Bill Blair—received a performance bonus between April 2021 and March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
Coming into his new job, Defence Minister Bill Blair will, among other things, be faced with warding off pressure from our NATO allies—the U.S. in particular—to spend more money on defence, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
Coming into his new job, Defence Minister Bill Blair will, among other things, be faced with warding off pressure from our NATO allies—the U.S. in particular—to spend more money on defence, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš speak at the Ādaži military base in Latvia on July 10. The question is where our under-strength Army units are going to find and train the prerequisite number of personnel to keep the necessary Canadian soldiers forward deployed in Latvia, writes Scott Taylor. Latvian State Chancellery photograph by Gatis Rozenfelds
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš speak at the Ādaži military base in Latvia on July 10. The question is where our under-strength Army units are going to find and train the prerequisite number of personnel to keep the necessary Canadian soldiers forward deployed in Latvia, writes Scott Taylor. Latvian State Chancellery photograph by Gatis Rozenfelds
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attend a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attend a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
The Wagner Group’s aborted mutiny in Russia is only one in a long line of escapades by privately owned mercenary armies who have been employed by global super powers to extend their martial authority without having to endanger the lives of their own citizenry, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
The Wagner Group’s aborted mutiny in Russia is only one in a long line of escapades by privately owned mercenary armies who have been employed by global super powers to extend their martial authority without having to endanger the lives of their own citizenry, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
It does not take much imagination to ponder what would have happened if Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin had succeeded in ousting Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CNN
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
It does not take much imagination to ponder what would have happened if Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin had succeeded in ousting Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CNN
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
The recent tragic loss of Captains David Domagala, left, and Marc Larouche will reverberate throughout the entire defence community, writes Scott Taylor. Handout photograph
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
The recent tragic loss of Captains David Domagala, left, and Marc Larouche will reverberate throughout the entire defence community, writes Scott Taylor. Handout photograph
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participates in a ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine on March 24. On the battlefield, it is apparent the Ukrainian military has begun its counteroffensive, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the office the President of Ukraine/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participates in a ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine on March 24. On the battlefield, it is apparent the Ukrainian military has begun its counteroffensive, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the office the President of Ukraine/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
Members from the 41 Canadian Brigade and local firefighters participate in fire prevention operations in Drayton Valley, Alta., on May 15. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
Members from the 41 Canadian Brigade and local firefighters participate in fire prevention operations in Drayton Valley, Alta., on May 15. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
An Avidrone Avipak30 automated cargo delivery system is displayed at the Avidrone Aerospace booth at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on May 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
An Avidrone Avipak30 automated cargo delivery system is displayed at the Avidrone Aerospace booth at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on May 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
As a sort of chess-move counter to Russia losing the battlefield advantage, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently ordered the forward deployment of tactical nuclear weapons into neighbouring Belarus, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
As a sort of chess-move counter to Russia losing the battlefield advantage, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently ordered the forward deployment of tactical nuclear weapons into neighbouring Belarus, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2022. There was media speculation that during a recent meeting in Korea, talks between the two leaders involved a potential submarine deal, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2022. There was media speculation that during a recent meeting in Korea, talks between the two leaders involved a potential submarine deal, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
To give them credit, the Vimy Foundation has been hugely successful in promoting the Vimy Ridge myth over the past two decades, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Andy Hay/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
To give them credit, the Vimy Foundation has been hugely successful in promoting the Vimy Ridge myth over the past two decades, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Andy Hay/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
Members of MV Asterix perform a replenishment at sea with HMS Lancaster in the Red Sea during Operation Savanne on April 27. DND photograph by S1 Taylor Congdon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
Members of MV Asterix perform a replenishment at sea with HMS Lancaster in the Red Sea during Operation Savanne on April 27. DND photograph by S1 Taylor Congdon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
On April 27, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the Canadian Armed Forces would be belatedly riding to the rescue for Canadian nationals in Sudan, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
On April 27, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the Canadian Armed Forces would be belatedly riding to the rescue for Canadian nationals in Sudan, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 26, 2023
Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre speaks with soldiers deployed on Operation Unifier in the U.K. on Oct. 28, 2022. Last October, Eyre declared the personnel shortage to be the CAF’s No. 1 priority, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Corp. Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 26, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 26, 2023
Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre speaks with soldiers deployed on Operation Unifier in the U.K. on Oct. 28, 2022. Last October, Eyre declared the personnel shortage to be the CAF’s No. 1 priority, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Corp. Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 19, 2023
While I am certainly in agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the fact that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal, to claim this act of aggression shattered eight decades of world peace is just dumb, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 19, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 19, 2023
While I am certainly in agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the fact that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal, to claim this act of aggression shattered eight decades of world peace is just dumb, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 10, 2023
The Naval Experience Program is intended to give Canadians the opportunity to experience the Navy as a sailor on a one-year contract before deciding if a career in the Navy is the right fit for them, Scott Taylor writes. DND photograph by MCpl Manuela Berger
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 10, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 10, 2023
The Naval Experience Program is intended to give Canadians the opportunity to experience the Navy as a sailor on a one-year contract before deciding if a career in the Navy is the right fit for them, Scott Taylor writes. DND photograph by MCpl Manuela Berger
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 3, 2023
A door gunner with the Tactical Aviation Detachment watches out of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter during Operation Impact on Sept. 27, 2017. The last thing the Canadian Armed Forces needs is this further extension of the mission in Iraq, a mission that has no clear aim and zero chance of success, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 3, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 3, 2023
A door gunner with the Tactical Aviation Detachment watches out of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter during Operation Impact on Sept. 27, 2017. The last thing the Canadian Armed Forces needs is this further extension of the mission in Iraq, a mission that has no clear aim and zero chance of success, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 27, 2023
National Defence Minister Anita Anand, left, speaks with Maj.-Gen. Steve Boivin, commander of the Canadian Special Operations Command, after a press conference at National Defence headquarters in downtown Ottawa on March 21 to announce $1.4-billion in funding to revitalize the JTF-2 training site at Dwyer Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 27, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 27, 2023
National Defence Minister Anita Anand, left, speaks with Maj.-Gen. Steve Boivin, commander of the Canadian Special Operations Command, after a press conference at National Defence headquarters in downtown Ottawa on March 21 to announce $1.4-billion in funding to revitalize the JTF-2 training site at Dwyer Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 20, 2023
It has been widely reported that the American drone downed over the Black Sea was a General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, an airborne execution machine, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph by Chris Hunkeler/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 20, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 20, 2023
It has been widely reported that the American drone downed over the Black Sea was a General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, an airborne execution machine, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph by Chris Hunkeler/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 13, 2023
National Defence Minister Anita Anand told the Ottawa Conference on Defence and Security attendees on March 9 that the government will be fast-tracking three key military procurement projects. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 13, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 13, 2023
National Defence Minister Anita Anand told the Ottawa Conference on Defence and Security attendees on March 9 that the government will be fast-tracking three key military procurement projects. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 6, 2023
If Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy achieves his goal of driving all Russian invaders from his country’s territory, that may in fact preclude any chance of a lasting peace in the region, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/President of Ukraine
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 6, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 6, 2023
If Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy achieves his goal of driving all Russian invaders from his country’s territory, that may in fact preclude any chance of a lasting peace in the region, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/President of Ukraine
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 27, 2023
Canadian elements of the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia conduct a wet-gap crossing with assistance from Spanish engineers as part of Operation Reassurance, on Feb. 9, 2023, at the Camp Adazi Training Area in Latvia. Spanish Army photograph by Staff Sergeant Christian Milano
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 27, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 27, 2023
Canadian elements of the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia conduct a wet-gap crossing with assistance from Spanish engineers as part of Operation Reassurance, on Feb. 9, 2023, at the Camp Adazi Training Area in Latvia. Spanish Army photograph by Staff Sergeant Christian Milano
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 20, 2023
HMCS Glace Bay sails through the Maniitsoq Fjord during Operation Nanook on Aug. 14, 2020. The federal government announced on Feb. 16 that HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Moncton will be deployed to patrol off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. DND photograph courtesy of Corporal David Veldman
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 20, 2023