Canada will bed down its combat-ready F-35 strike fighters at bases in Alberta and Quebec, according to Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay. Speaking last week at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville in Quebec, MacKay said the base would receive 24 of the 65 F-35s that Canada plans to acquire, with the first of the new fighters arriving in 2016, reported the Toronto Sun. CFB Cold Lake in Alberta will also be home to 24 F-35s. The bed down site is not yet known for the remaining 17 F-35s that will be used for training. Canada announced in July its commitment to procure the 65 F-35s to replace its aging CF-18s.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.