MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – September 27, 2012
- Afghanistan Note to mainstream media: see what you miss when you don’t have a reporter in Afghanistan? “These aren’t men you’d describe as approachable. Something about their mix of self-assurance, muscular build, facial hair and abundant tattoos keeps you at bay. Something around their eyes warns you off — the dull clarity in their unflinching gaze, hinting at knowledge of things best left unknown. There’s something in their movements, something calculating, something constantly measuring, something pent up, leashed, held in check. These are not men you’d like the look of, but these are the quiet professionals of Canada’s Special Operations Regiment (CSOR). Officially CSOR is a high-readiness Special Operations Force (SOF) capable of conducting independent operations … on behalf of the Government of Canada. These were the men that we sent to Libya to secure the safety of our embassy staff there in Tripoli, in 2011. These same men have been conducting operations against the Taliban since 2006, interdicting, capturing or eliminating threats to our regular forces in theatre. These men are a big part of the reason that our losses here have not been higher ….”
- Some of the RC Navy in hotter climes “Naval forces from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States departed Naval Air Station Key West Sept. 20 and conducted air defense exercises to begin the at-sea phase of the Atlantic Phase of UNITAS, an annual multinational exercise hosted by Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet. Thirteen warships are conducting operations in the Atlantic Ocean and Western Caribbean through Sept. 28. UNITAS trains the participating forces in a variety of maritime scenarios to test command and control of forces at sea, while operating as a multinational force to provide the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability ….”
- RCAF boss congrats those who keep the Polaris flying
- Defence Minister during Question Period to Liberal MP: Of COURSE we support the Ombudsman! “Mr. Speaker, an independent military ombudsman plays a very important role in moderating the interests of Canadian Forces personnel and providing impartial advice. We support the office of the ombudsman the same way we support the MPCC, the same way we support the grievance board, as they work within their mandate and will continue to do so. Our government, of course, has enormous respect for the men and women of the Canadian Forces. Unlike the member and his party who brought about a decade of darkness, we are bringing a decade of delivery.”
- An NDP politician is suggesting Canada may be considering whether to have an independent navy or not??? This, from an NDP Member’s Statement earlier this week: “…. First, they had an epiphany about the War of 1812 that they decided to share with every single one of us, and now rumour has it that the Prime Minister and his acolytes want to reopen the debate on the Naval Service Act of 1910, which came at a time when Canada was tentatively moving to distance itself from the British empire and develop its own foreign policy ….” Some short & sweet history of the Act in question (has anybody ELSE heard such rumours?) here (from Parks Canada) and here (from DFAIT).
- Way Up North (1) NDP calls for emergency debate on melting Arctic ice (but doesn’t get one) “…. Canadians and people around the world were shocked when the U.S.-based National Snow and Ice Data Center reported last week on the dramatic melting of summer ice levels in the Arctic this year. Those levels fell to 50% of the average levels reported between 1979 and 2000. Based on the latest numbers, some scientists are even predicting that the Arctic might be ice-free during the summer of 2030. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I am asking today for an emergency debate on this issue and the reasons for this are significant and wide-ranging. The melting is expected to have a domino effect on our environment, creating further warming of our climate as uncovered Arctic waters warm more quickly ….”
- Way Up North (2) “A Chinese icebreaker docked Thursday at Shanghai after becoming the first Chinese vessel to cross the Arctic Ocean, a landmark trip that is part of Beijing’s efforts to expand its presence in the Arctic. With melting icecaps accelerating the opening of new shipping routes and the exploration of oil, gas and mineral deposits in the Arctic, China has been eager to gain a foothold in the region. The icebreaker Snow Dragon returned to Shanghai after wrapping up a three-month mission that took it from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic via the Arctic, the Shanghai-based Polar Research Institute of China said in a statement. The vessel’s 119 crew members completed an oceanic survey in waters around Iceland with their Icelandic counterparts ….”
- “The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, will speak at the third annual Veterans on Bay Street event. Organized by the Treble Victor Group and the True Patriot Love Foundation, this networking event highlights post military career opportunities and is an opportunity for former military professionals to meet and connect with community business leaders (tonight) ….”
- “Canadian business leaders have heard all the warnings about China: fears that Chinese hackers and cyber-spies may be trying to breach the computer networks of Canadian companies and government departments, and concerns about huge state-owned companies taking over vital Canadian resources. The warnings haven’t fallen on deaf ears, but they don’t exactly have Canadian companies running for the exits. China is just too big and too wealthy to scare off business that easily. Some of Canada’s top executives met in Ottawa this week at a forum hosted by the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. The two-day event, called Canada in the Pacific Century, attracted some of the top CEOs, government ministers and academics all keen on prying open the vast Asian marketplace for Canadian business ….”
