Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
@steffanwatkins.bsky.social
I'm a writer and research consultant specializing in tracking ships and planes using publicly available information.
https://www.patreon.com/SteffanWatkins
https://www.patreon.com/SteffanWatkins
Pinned
🇨🇦⚓️ Royal Canadian Navy Media and Public Awareness Update (Week 5) showing the state of the RCN, and last reported locations of the fleet. Journalists should know at least this much info is publicly available.
(24 Page PDF distributed via Patreon)
www.patreon.com/posts/rcn-me...
(24 Page PDF distributed via Patreon)
www.patreon.com/posts/rcn-me...
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) Halifax-class frigate coming into Mayport, Florida - February 5, 2026 SRC: INST- navalstationmayport
February 5, 2026 at 6:11 PM
HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) Halifax-class frigate coming into Mayport, Florida - February 5, 2026 SRC: INST- navalstationmayport
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
HMCS Regina (FFH 334) Halifax-class frigate off of Lantzville, British Columbia - February 3, 2026 SRC: FB- Hazer's Flightline
February 5, 2026 at 12:10 AM
HMCS Regina (FFH 334) Halifax-class frigate off of Lantzville, British Columbia - February 3, 2026 SRC: FB- Hazer's Flightline
🇨🇦⚓️ Royal Canadian Navy Media and Public Awareness Update (Week 5) showing the state of the RCN, and last reported locations of the fleet. Journalists should know at least this much info is publicly available.
(24 Page PDF distributed via Patreon)
www.patreon.com/posts/rcn-me...
(24 Page PDF distributed via Patreon)
www.patreon.com/posts/rcn-me...
February 5, 2026 at 2:55 AM
🇨🇦⚓️ Royal Canadian Navy Media and Public Awareness Update (Week 5) showing the state of the RCN, and last reported locations of the fleet. Journalists should know at least this much info is publicly available.
(24 Page PDF distributed via Patreon)
www.patreon.com/posts/rcn-me...
(24 Page PDF distributed via Patreon)
www.patreon.com/posts/rcn-me...
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
CLAIM: It's not a crime to party with mr. epstein
FACT CHECK: True! Many people who partied with epstein have escaped justice
FACT CHECK: True! Many people who partied with epstein have escaped justice
February 3, 2026 at 1:23 AM
CLAIM: It's not a crime to party with mr. epstein
FACT CHECK: True! Many people who partied with epstein have escaped justice
FACT CHECK: True! Many people who partied with epstein have escaped justice
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) Halifax-class frigate leaving Halifax, Nova Scotia for deployment - February 1, 2026 SRC: NovaScotiaWebcams.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:16 PM
HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) Halifax-class frigate leaving Halifax, Nova Scotia for deployment - February 1, 2026 SRC: NovaScotiaWebcams.com
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
Long shot but I’m desperate (ttc lost and found office is closed now)
Toronto, if you find my other mitten on Line 2 today, please reach out 🙏🏼
Toronto, if you find my other mitten on Line 2 today, please reach out 🙏🏼
January 30, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Long shot but I’m desperate (ttc lost and found office is closed now)
Toronto, if you find my other mitten on Line 2 today, please reach out 🙏🏼
Toronto, if you find my other mitten on Line 2 today, please reach out 🙏🏼
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
Good morning.
After six days and one text message to a senior comms staff at the Minister of Defence's office, the DND replied to me regarding our RCAF Hercs at Fort Bragg last week.
Read their reply here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
After six days and one text message to a senior comms staff at the Minister of Defence's office, the DND replied to me regarding our RCAF Hercs at Fort Bragg last week.
Read their reply here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
The CAF have a long history at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) in NC
In fact we had two RCAF Hercs there this week.
Its home to the battalion from the 16th Military Police unit 'stood up' for potential deployment to Minneapolis on Weds.
I dig into it here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
In fact we had two RCAF Hercs there this week.
Its home to the battalion from the 16th Military Police unit 'stood up' for potential deployment to Minneapolis on Weds.
I dig into it here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
What are we doing at Fort Bragg?
Another day, another weird, murky overlap between the CAF and what's happening in Minneapolis.
open.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Good morning.
After six days and one text message to a senior comms staff at the Minister of Defence's office, the DND replied to me regarding our RCAF Hercs at Fort Bragg last week.
Read their reply here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
After six days and one text message to a senior comms staff at the Minister of Defence's office, the DND replied to me regarding our RCAF Hercs at Fort Bragg last week.
Read their reply here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
I'm sticking my neck out and will be disappointed if the Americans don't do anything.
"Specialist US military jets seen in Middle East on flight-tracking sites"
January 29, 12:15 UTC
Joshua Cheetham, BBC Verify journalist
www.bbc.com/news/live/cn...
"Specialist US military jets seen in Middle East on flight-tracking sites"
January 29, 12:15 UTC
Joshua Cheetham, BBC Verify journalist
www.bbc.com/news/live/cn...
![Watkins also points to the presence in Qatar of a USAF Boeing RC-135 which is used for electronic surveillance.
“The most specialised aircraft show up last,” says Watkins. “If they had been moved to the region two weeks ago, they would have been twiddling their thumbs all this time. That they're showing up now shows they have work to do.”
He says another type of aircraft to watch is the E-3G Sentry, which is used for surveillance and co-ordinating military operations.
He notes that an E-3G flew to the Middle East on the same day the US bombed several Iranian nuclear facilities last summer.
“The E-3G Sentry is the final piece,” says Watkins. “If things play out the same way as Midnight Hammer [the codename for last year’s US attacks on Iran] it will show the strike is imminent.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:77aqbtmtho4ermgvatj5p5lx/bafkreieo7qe3ofnqsu33pbgfgip2zj7ha5rctmj37o5rjqn5iwy4pm2pkq@jpeg)
January 29, 2026 at 6:58 PM
I'm sticking my neck out and will be disappointed if the Americans don't do anything.
"Specialist US military jets seen in Middle East on flight-tracking sites"
January 29, 12:15 UTC
Joshua Cheetham, BBC Verify journalist
www.bbc.com/news/live/cn...
"Specialist US military jets seen in Middle East on flight-tracking sites"
January 29, 12:15 UTC
Joshua Cheetham, BBC Verify journalist
www.bbc.com/news/live/cn...
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
My story is the top suggestion from @economist.com weekend newsletter
The inside scoop behind the headline is here: open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
The inside scoop behind the headline is here: open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
January 24, 2026 at 9:17 PM
My story is the top suggestion from @economist.com weekend newsletter
The inside scoop behind the headline is here: open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
The inside scoop behind the headline is here: open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
My work in The Economist got a shout from Sandy + Nora this week 🙏🏼
Grateful @sandela.bsky.social @nolore.bsky.social
Get the inside scoop here
substack.com/@thestateoft...
Grateful @sandela.bsky.social @nolore.bsky.social
Get the inside scoop here
substack.com/@thestateoft...
January 24, 2026 at 5:52 PM
My work in The Economist got a shout from Sandy + Nora this week 🙏🏼
Grateful @sandela.bsky.social @nolore.bsky.social
Get the inside scoop here
substack.com/@thestateoft...
Grateful @sandela.bsky.social @nolore.bsky.social
Get the inside scoop here
substack.com/@thestateoft...
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
Department Of Homeland Security’s New Gulfstream Jet Emerges www.twz.com/sea/new-gulf...
Department Of Homeland Security's New Gulfstream Jet Emerges
The jet is one of two on order for the U.S. Coast Guard.
www.twz.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Department Of Homeland Security’s New Gulfstream Jet Emerges www.twz.com/sea/new-gulf...
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
The CAF have a long history at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) in NC
In fact we had two RCAF Hercs there this week.
Its home to the battalion from the 16th Military Police unit 'stood up' for potential deployment to Minneapolis on Weds.
I dig into it here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
In fact we had two RCAF Hercs there this week.
Its home to the battalion from the 16th Military Police unit 'stood up' for potential deployment to Minneapolis on Weds.
I dig into it here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
What are we doing at Fort Bragg?
Another day, another weird, murky overlap between the CAF and what's happening in Minneapolis.
open.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:53 PM
The CAF have a long history at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) in NC
In fact we had two RCAF Hercs there this week.
Its home to the battalion from the 16th Military Police unit 'stood up' for potential deployment to Minneapolis on Weds.
I dig into it here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
In fact we had two RCAF Hercs there this week.
Its home to the battalion from the 16th Military Police unit 'stood up' for potential deployment to Minneapolis on Weds.
I dig into it here:
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
Fact-Checking Trump On Greenland https://theonion.com/fact-checking-trump-on-greenland/
January 22, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Fact-Checking Trump On Greenland https://theonion.com/fact-checking-trump-on-greenland/
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
HMCS Margaret Brooke (AOPV 431) Harry DeWolf-class coming into Halifax, Nova Scotia - January 22, 2026 SRC: FB- Halifax Harbour Photos
January 22, 2026 at 7:49 PM
HMCS Margaret Brooke (AOPV 431) Harry DeWolf-class coming into Halifax, Nova Scotia - January 22, 2026 SRC: FB- Halifax Harbour Photos
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) Halifax-class frigate coming into Halifax, Nova Scotia - January 22, 2026 SRC: FB- Urban Halifax Photos
January 22, 2026 at 7:52 PM
HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) Halifax-class frigate coming into Halifax, Nova Scotia - January 22, 2026 SRC: FB- Urban Halifax Photos
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
HMCS Yellowknife (MM 706) Kingston-class coastal defence vessel coming into Halifax, Nova Scotia - January 21, 2026 SRC: FB- Urban Halifax Photos
January 22, 2026 at 7:53 PM
HMCS Yellowknife (MM 706) Kingston-class coastal defence vessel coming into Halifax, Nova Scotia - January 21, 2026 SRC: FB- Urban Halifax Photos
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
The Globe and Mail did a folo on my original scoop and story in The Economist ⬇️
January 21, 2026 at 7:39 PM
The Globe and Mail did a folo on my original scoop and story in The Economist ⬇️
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
Canada & other countries have soldiers serving on exchange duties in US military units. That's become a problem.
(Paywalled article)
FYI @steffanwatkins.bsky.social
🪖
(Paywalled article)
FYI @steffanwatkins.bsky.social
🪖
Canadian personnel have been caught awkwardly between Donald Trump’s orders, Canada’s military mandate and public opinion. We explain how
Canadian soldiers have been carrying out Donald Trump’s orders
As the American president becomes more aggressive, this is becoming a problem
econ.st
January 21, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Canada & other countries have soldiers serving on exchange duties in US military units. That's become a problem.
(Paywalled article)
FYI @steffanwatkins.bsky.social
🪖
(Paywalled article)
FYI @steffanwatkins.bsky.social
🪖
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
DND just emailed me a statement re: Brig.-Gen. McBride
“Members of the CAF on exchange with foreign militaries…require a National Authority to Deploy (NAD) which is based on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Staff and requires approval by the Minister of National Defence (MND) 1/2
“Members of the CAF on exchange with foreign militaries…require a National Authority to Deploy (NAD) which is based on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Staff and requires approval by the Minister of National Defence (MND) 1/2
It’s not just McBride.
I’m not sure the public realizes how deeply the 🇨🇦 + 🇺🇸 military integrated.
So if CAF are carrying out Trump’s orders on exchange - what happens if there’s a conflict between the two country’s interests?
My latest in The Economist: www.economist.com/the-americas...
I’m not sure the public realizes how deeply the 🇨🇦 + 🇺🇸 military integrated.
So if CAF are carrying out Trump’s orders on exchange - what happens if there’s a conflict between the two country’s interests?
My latest in The Economist: www.economist.com/the-americas...
January 21, 2026 at 1:24 AM
DND just emailed me a statement re: Brig.-Gen. McBride
“Members of the CAF on exchange with foreign militaries…require a National Authority to Deploy (NAD) which is based on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Staff and requires approval by the Minister of National Defence (MND) 1/2
“Members of the CAF on exchange with foreign militaries…require a National Authority to Deploy (NAD) which is based on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Staff and requires approval by the Minister of National Defence (MND) 1/2
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
“You know if you come after Canada, you are going to have the world coming after you, even more than Greenland. People do care about what happens to Canada, unlike Venezuela,” Mr. Fraser said. “You could actually see German ships and British planes in Canada.”
January 20, 2026 at 12:10 PM
“You know if you come after Canada, you are going to have the world coming after you, even more than Greenland. People do care about what happens to Canada, unlike Venezuela,” Mr. Fraser said. “You could actually see German ships and British planes in Canada.”
That Trump is insane misses the point that the other branches of American government folded, white nationalists are advising Trump and running the show, they're using religion and fear to manipulate the weak minded, and nobody takes it seriously; "it's just politics". The frog is boiled.
January 19, 2026 at 3:55 PM
That Trump is insane misses the point that the other branches of American government folded, white nationalists are advising Trump and running the show, they're using religion and fear to manipulate the weak minded, and nobody takes it seriously; "it's just politics". The frog is boiled.
Reposted by Steffan Watkins 🇨🇦
BTW: The soldiers that Trump/ the Pentagon ‘stood up’ for potential deployment to Minneapolis?
The 11th Airborne Division’s Deputy Commanding General, Operations is highly-decorated CAF Brigadier-General Robert McBride.
More to come on this story:
11thairbornedivision.army.mil/dcgo/
The 11th Airborne Division’s Deputy Commanding General, Operations is highly-decorated CAF Brigadier-General Robert McBride.
More to come on this story:
11thairbornedivision.army.mil/dcgo/
January 19, 2026 at 3:48 PM
BTW: The soldiers that Trump/ the Pentagon ‘stood up’ for potential deployment to Minneapolis?
The 11th Airborne Division’s Deputy Commanding General, Operations is highly-decorated CAF Brigadier-General Robert McBride.
More to come on this story:
11thairbornedivision.army.mil/dcgo/
The 11th Airborne Division’s Deputy Commanding General, Operations is highly-decorated CAF Brigadier-General Robert McBride.
More to come on this story:
11thairbornedivision.army.mil/dcgo/