Justin Trudeau hints at boosting Canada’s military spending

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[KevinB]

I've never really had a good handle on the ARNG aviation concept (or even more so the air national guard flying F35s ). They can't all be ex active force pilots and mechs. But I do see it as a potential cost saving and even retention measure. The ARNG aviation units in Afghanistan seem to have proven their worth. Again, like most trades, there is the benefit of a well-run pre-deployment training phase for any reserve or hybrid unit.

As I understand it that all Army Aviation (Pilot: Rotary Wing, Crew Chief and ground maintenance) go through the applicable course (at what used to be Rucker now Ft Novosel) regardless if you are a Active Regular, ARNG or USAR member.

Aviation however requires a fairly stringent adherence to both maintenance, and well the laws of physics and gravity. Some of the ARNG aviation units don't have the most inspiring safety records - and it is hard to isolate exactly why (at least from the outside) unless not as many of the I's where dotted and T's crossed as are being claimed (which would be were my money is at).