Canada’s Airborne: Past, Present & Future

This inaugural episode of Voices of the CDA explored the history, evolution, and future of Canada’s airborne capability in collaboration with the Canadian Airborne Forces Association (CAFA), featuring Colonel (Retired) Bernd Horn, Colonel (Ret'd) Bruce Ewing, and Colonel (Ret'd) Jim Holsworth. The conversation examined Canada’s airborne legacy from the Second World War to modern parachute and rapid deployment capabilities, while also considering the future role of airborne forces in Arctic operations, expeditionary missions, humanitarian response, and defence modernization. It also highlighted the ongoing work of CAFA in preserving airborne heritage, supporting serving and retired parachutists, and contributing to Canada’s broader defence dialogue. Read Jim Holsworth's latest paper in Voices of the CDA, "A Case for Canada's Airborne Capability": https://cdainstitute.ca/a-case-for-ca... Learn more about Canadian Airborne Forces Association (CAFA): https://www.canadianairborneforces.ca/ Established in 1932, the Conference of Defence Associations is an umbrella organization for 36 member associations who represent over 400,000 active and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces. We are a connector in the defence & security community in Canada that provides influence and visibility for member associations towards national engagement, as well as a hub where Canadians interested in matters of security & defence can converge for events, research, and analysis, as well as mentorship opportunities and job searches.