OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Oct. 4, 2010) – – Starting today, residents of the Ottawa West region may notice some Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and tethered balloons (aerostats) flying at low altitude between the areas of Connaught Range and Shirley’s Bay.

The UAVs and tethered balloons will be used as part of a field experiment conducted by the Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre (CFAWC), in conjunction with Defence Research Development Canada (DRDC), as part of a Disaster Interoperability Response Experiment (DIRE). The experiment will begin today and is scheduled to conclude on Friday, October 8. Please note that this experiment poses no risk to the population.

For more information, please contact

Air Force Public Affairs Officer
Lieutenant Lisa Evong
613-325-9440

Disaster Interoperability Response Experiment (DIRE) 2010

MA – 10.005 – October 4, 2010

OTTAWA – On Wednesday, October 6, members of the media are invited to observe first hand a segment of the Disaster Interoperability Response Experiment (DIRE 10) conducted by the Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre Air Force Experiment Centre (CFAWC AFEC), in conjunction with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC).

Aimed at advancing the integration of communication systems, open source tools, and the adoption of technical standards to achieve better coordinated response between emergency response organizations and the Canadian Forces (CF) during disasters, DIRE 10 is the first of a series of experiments expected to be held annually.

Conducted this year from October 4 to 8, DIRE 10 will be using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and tethered balloons (aerostats) to look at the advantages of employing existing equipment as part of a coordination system to provide better long-distance communications and imagery gathering during disaster response.

Media interested in attending this opportunity must register before noon on Tuesday, October 5, by contacting Lieutenant Lisa Evong at 613-325-9440.

WHAT: Media Opportunity – Disaster Interoperability Response Experiment

WHEN: Wednesday 6 October 2010, 9:45-11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Connaught Range Control Counter on Lee Enfield Road

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Note to the editor/news director: Should the media opportunity be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, this event will be re-scheduled on October 7 (same timings). A decision on cancelling the media opportunity event due to weather will be made on October 6 before 8 a.m.. Registered media representatives will be notified by an Air Force Public Affairs Officer if such cancellation is in effect.

Directions to Connaught Ranges from Carling Avenue:

• Head North on Rifle Road (see DND & RCMP signs) 2.0 km
• Turn Left on Shirley Blvd – Turns into Malibar Rd 1.3 km
• Turn Right onto Lee Enfield Rd (see Range Control on right) 0.3 km
• Parking along Shirley Blvd – just ahead
• Meet at Range Control to check in & receive transport to DIRE.

Timings/Activities:

• 9:45 a.m.: Media representatives are to be at the Connaught Range Control counter to be signed in and receive an information package on DIRE 10. Transportation (bus) will be provided to the site of the experiment and will depart the Range Control at 0955 hrs sharp;
• 10:00 – 10:20 a.m.: Technical Brief to be delivered by DIRE 10 spokesperson, Maj Bernie Thorne followed by Q&A session;
• 10:20 – 10:40 a.m.: Visit of a small aerostat and opportunity for interviews, Command Post, and of a larger aerostat and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) if available;
• 10:40 – 10:55 a.m.: Additional opportunity for interviews to be conducted with spokesperson, if desired / possible; and,
• 10:55 – 11:00 a.m.: Return to the Connaught Range Control and conclusion of media opportunity.