March 15th, 2009 by Rob
I just got word that Bill Greenshields has passed away. He does not want a memorial, so there will be no service. He will be cremated at the Evergreen Funeral Home in Edmonton, then his ashes will be sent to New Glasgow, NS to be buried beside his dad.
Please send condolences to Bill’s mom at shirljgf@aol.com. She would really appreciate hearing from Bill’s Airborne friends and all those who knew him.
February 25th, 2009 by Rob
WO Michael Hamilton died in an Edmonton hospital on Sunday after a car crash on Friday. He is a parachutist with the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre and a former member of the Skyhawks.
Our condolences go out to the family of another fallen jumper…
February 10th, 2009 by Rob
2009 will be the first year for an informal reunion for Royals who were posted to CFB London. Any past or present Royal is welcome to attend.
The theme of the reunion is outdoor stuff, sports, canoe races, barbeques, bonfire parties and seeing your old buddies again.
For more information and to register, see the Reunion Website.
December 3rd, 2008 by Rob
John Lyle sent in about a dozen photos from the FSSF taken in 1944 and 1945. They are all well captioned and have most of the names of the soldiers. They have all been added to the Unit Photos, so make sure that you head over and check them out.
Thanks for sending them in John. If anyone has any other photos they would like to submit, just get in touch through the contact page.
October 2nd, 2008 by Rob
I noticed this print for sale online today and thought that one of you might like it. I am not selling this, nor do I know the seller. Make sure you do due diligence before purchasing. He is asking $100 and the print is in Gatineau.
June 29th, 2008 by Rob
The 1st Canadian Parachute Bn jumped into Normandy on D-Day as part of 6th British Airborne Division. They fought with distinction for the rest of the North-West Europe campaign, making a second combat jump at the Rhine crossings in March 1945, and fighting in Holland until VE-Day. In the post-war years the Canadian SAS and the Mobile Striking Force maintained an airborne capability, formalized in 1968 with the raising of a Canadian Airborne Regt, which later served overseas in Cyprus and Somalia. Since its disbandment in 1995 a parachute capability has been maintained by companies of light infantry units – Royal 22e Regt, Princess Patricia’s, and Royal Canadian Regt - which served against the Taliban and al-Quaida in Afghanistan, 2002–03. This book details the fascinating and proud history of the Canadian Airborne Regiments.
Buy Canadian Airborne Forces since 1942
June 3rd, 2008 by Rob
Capt. Richard Leary of the PPCLI was killed today in the Panjwaii district of Afghanistan when his patrol came under fire. Our thoughts go out to another fallen brother and to his family.
May 10th, 2008 by Rob
Mike Starker returned to Canada yesterday. Mike became the 83rd Canadian Soldier to die in Afghanistan when he died last Tuesday in southern Afghanistan when his patrol was ambushed.
His family issued a statement saying: “Mike loved being a paramedic with Calgary EMS and loved being a soldier in the Canadian Forces, especially his time in the Canadian Airborne Regiment.”
“Michael died doing what he loved. In his heart, he was a soldier and in his blood, a paramedic. But soldiering wasn’t the only thing that Mike gave his heart to. He gave his heart and soul to his wife, parents, family and friends.”
Mike was a former member of 2 Commando, serving from 1991 to 1995. He left the military to become a Paramedic in Calgary where he grew up. He served as a reservist with 15 Field Ambulance and was on his second tour of Afghanistan when he died.
R.I.P. Jumper…
May 9th, 2008 by Rob
During a night drop on the 8th of May, 1968, seven troopers drowned in the Ottawa river during what was supposed to be a routine drop onto the Mattawa Plains at CFB Petawawa resulting in the largest single-day loss of life at the base.
If you are near Petawawa this weekend, the Canadian Airborne Association will mark the date with a commemoration service beginning this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Wegner Point monument.
March 27th, 2008 by Rob
Just a reminder, the Airborne Regiment Association is hosting a 40th Anniversary event in Ottawa on April 12th. The event is open to all past members of the Regiment, those who were in non-jump support roles (1 AB FSSU, 1 AB SSU), past and current jumpers of all “stripes” i.e.: CABC, CFPMD, regular and reserve force jump companies, foreign paratroopers, 1 Can Para, 1 FSSF, Aircrew, White or Red Maple Leaf jumpers.
The Meet & Greet starts at 1700 at the Rideau Canal WO’s and SGT’s Mess, 4 Queen Elizabeth Dr, Ottawa, ON, K2P 2H9. Reservation must be paid by 5 April, so send your cheque or credit card information to the ARAC Kit Shop, 3 - 36 de Varennes, Gatineau QC J8T 0B6.
For more information, download one of the following PDFs or contact the Kit Shop.