FEATURES:

• Fighter Jets Coming: CF-18 replacement project takes off:  The RCAF has been working on getting a replacement for its aging CF-18s for more than a decade. The previous Conservative government put the acquisition on hold. The Liberal government is now moving forward but a purchase will still take years — by David Pugliese
• Pension for Life? Everything Veterans Wanted to Know About the Liberals’ Pension for Life Plan … And Should Not Be Afraid to Ask:  Changes to the Pension Act resulting from the New Veterans Charter led to a demand for a new benefits plan for injured soldiers. Will the Liberals’ proposed Pension for Life plan bring about the desire reforms needed? — by Sean Bruyea & Robert Smol
• Making Canada Proud: The Royal Canadians at Paardeberg:  The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) is Canada’s oldest regular force infantry regiment. At the turn of the last century it was deployed to South Africa to assist the British in their war with the Boers. Once the siege of Kimberley was broken, The RCR joined the British 19th Brigade in the pursuit of the Boer Army. After a gruelling five-day march, 19th Brigade trapped the Boer Army at Paardeberg Drift on 18 February 1900. A biter struggle now ensued — by Col Bernd Horn

STORIES:

• Publisher's Letter:  Providing stability and security, or sowing chaos and reaping violence? — by Scott Taylor
• Eye On Industry:  Unmanned Vehicles on the Way: Under RPAS, industry will be asked for new system designs — by David Pugliese
• The Armchair Colonel:  Expect the Unexpected: Canadian government should not be complacent when it comes to security — by Col (ret’d) Pat Stogran
• Perspectives:  “Peacekeeping” a Misnomer: Not all peace interventions should include the military or be under UN auspices — by Maj (ret’d) Roy Thomas
• Perspectives:  Canada’s Defence Planning Adrift: No apparent operational focus in foreseeable future — by Scott Taylor
• Perspectives:  The “Canadian” Factor: The importance of Canadianizing our aerial forces in WWII — by David MacLellan
• Commentary:  Unique opportunity at a fraction of the cost — by Joe Fernandez
• Commentary:  Crown assets disposal – Australian division — by Vincent J. Curtis
• Commentary:  Going to pot — by Michael Nickerson
• Victoria Cross:  Canada’s First VC Recipient: Alexander Dunn at the Charge of the Light Brigade: Balaclava, 1854 — by Bob Gordon
• Between The Covers:  Halifax Explosion: A century later, the city still feels the impact of that day — by Dan Soucoup
• Perspectives:  The Ghosts of the Tiffy Boys: Mrs. Muir tells the story of Canada’s Typhoon pilots — by Anne Gafiuk
• Historica Canada’s The Memory Project:  Veteran Helen Rochon, who served in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in the Second World War
• Cadet Corner:  Paving the Way for Higher Education: Scholarships help cadets reach their goals — by Maria Granados, The Navy League of Canada, Maxime Corneau, Army Cadet League of Canada, & Anthony Langlois, The Air Cadet League of Canada  
• WWI:  No. 2 Construction Company: Breaking new ground — by Bob Gordon
• The Old Guard:  Thinking big in London … Volunteer Service Medal … Pension debate … etc. —  by Les Peate
• Industry Watch:  Who's who and what's what in the defence sector — by David Pugliese 
• Trivia:  Test your knowledge of military history against quizmaster Les Peate
• Letters to the Editor