MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – October 27, 2012
- Afghanistan (1) Bonne chance and stay safe “…. the first group of soldiers, most of whom are from the Quebec area, left Quebec City for Afghanistan for their mission to provide training and professional development to the National Security Forces of Afghanistan until June 2013 …. Canada is the second largest contributor to the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan after the United States, with approximately 900 Canadian Forces members working in a whole-of-government capacity alongside 37 partner nations to enable the growth, professionalization and capacity building of the Afghan National Security Forces. The troops completed four months of intensive training at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier for their new role as mentors and instructors to the National Security Forces of Afghanistan ….”
- Afghanistan (2) From the CF Info-machine “To mark the strong bond they have forged with their Afghan counterparts, soldiers of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) built an inuksuk at the Sgt Qais Shoot House, a facility for practising indoor shooting skills that opened at Camp Commando, near Kabul, on 9 October 2012. Natives of Canada’s far North build inuksuit — vaguely humanoid forms made of stacked rocks — to mark the right path for hunters and other travellers on the vast expanse of the tundra. “”This inuksuk was built to symbolize the combined journey along the path of brotherhood between Afghan and Canadian Special Operations forces,”" said some CSOR members during the ceremonial opening and dedication of the Sgt Qais Shoot House. The Sgt Qais Shoot House is dedicated to a non-commissioned officer of the Afghan National Army who was born in the village of Bala Bagh in Surkh Road District of Nangrahar Province and killed by insurgents at the age of 25, during an operation conducted in the village of Damdara in Sarkano District of Kunar Province ….”
- Afghanistan (3a) Canada pissed at a Taliban attack on a mosque in northern Afghanistan – this from the Foreign Affairs Minister: “Canada condemns in the strongest terms the brutal and cowardly attack at a mosque in northern Afghanistan. This attack blatantly targeted those worshipping to mark Eid al-Adha, killing dozens of people and injuring scores more. This type of violent attack only strengthens the resolve of all who work for peace and security throughout the region. Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to those killed in this senseless attack, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Canada stands with you during this difficult time.”
- Afghanistan (3b) More on this one from the House of Commons here: “Ms. Lois Brown (Newmarket—Aurora, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I was horrified to learn today of reports of a suicide bomb in northern Afghanistan, which happened as people were leaving the Eid Gah mosque in Maimana. More than 50 people were wounded in the attack and officials have said that 14 civilians and 6 children were among the dead. Our government condemns in the strongest terms this brutal and cowardly attack that blatantly targeted those worshipping to mark Eid al-Adha. This type of violent attack only strengthens the resolve of all who work for peace and security throughout this region. Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to those killed in this senseless attack and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. We stand with them during this difficult time.”
- “Monday’s change-of-command ceremony for the Canadian military promises to attract a high-level crowd of military dignitaries, VIPs and politicians. Save a seat, too, for austerity, the one guest that wasn’t invited to the last ceremony but is guaranteed to set the tone this time around. Gen. Rick Hillier hung up his uniform four years in a dramatic display of pomp and ceremony, with a performance by the Skyhawks, the military skydiving team, a flyover by the Snowbirds and a farewell ride in a tank, all of which cost more than $250,000. With the military now under the gun to cut costs, Gen. Walt Natynczyk, Hillier’s successor as chief of defence staff, will exit his own military career Monday in far more subdued style. “Absolutely, much more subdued,” said a senior defence official, vowing that this change of command will ring in at a fraction of the cost ….”
- Former CF officer deals with still-too-prevelant stereotypes about military members “…. So you joined the military because you like to kill people? Upon hearing that I am a veteran, I’ve received a lot of dirty looks from my fellow Canadians. Many automatically assume that I was a gun-toting Rambo, eager to assuage my killer instinct, but nothing could be more ridiculous or repulsive. I can assure you that most of us join the military because we believe in something bigger; we believe in the hope for peace but reality and history are proof that conflict is human nature. I would love to live in a world in which a military isn’t necessary. Sadly, I’ve seen enough of the world to know that this day will never come ….”
- Liberals in Question Period: Isn’t it time for Public Works Canada to start managing DND’s spending? Government response: “Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, the budget of the Department of National Defence has grown substantially every year since this government took office. That said, this government and this department are committed to finding new efficiencies to work more effectively to deliver the Canadian Forces mission at home and abroad. To that end, we have done our part under deficit reduction, and we are going to continue to do our best to ensure that taxpayers get the best value for their money when they invest in the men and women in uniform and the equipment they need to do their jobs.”
- “A senior Canadian commando who choked and “almost killed” a subordinate in an apparently unprovoked attack in Afghanistan was never tried in court, despite a confession. CBC News has obtained exclusive details of the little-known 2005 assault showing the warrant officer responsible for the attack admitted to the principal facts. There were five witnesses to the attack, three of whom pulled the warrant officer off his victim during the altercation at a forward operating base in Afghanistan. But even with those witnesses in hand, the military never put the soldier on trial. Instead, the case was subject to a series of court battles between different groups of defence department lawyers, and the man at the centre of those fights never set foot before a judge ….”
- Again?!? “A Canadian Forces member in Manitoba has been charged with bestiality a second time, after a woman alleged that she was asked to engage in sexual acts with a dog. Police in Brandon, Man., say the 31-year-old man from Canadian Forces Base Shilo will appear in court on Oct. 29 on charges of bestiality, soliciting illicit sexual intercourse and circulating obscene matter. Earlier this month, the man was charged with bestiality and procuring and circulating obscene matter, after a woman filed a complaint with police in late September ….” – more here.
- Does Canada need a “Department of Peace?” Discuss….
- “…. Canada and the United States announced the Cybersecurity Action Plan Between Public Safety Canada and the Department of Homeland Security, a key commitment under the Beyond the Border Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. The announcement comes during Cyber Security Awareness Month, which both countries recognize every October to remind individuals about how to protect themselves and their families from online threats. “Canada and the U.S. have a mutual interest in partnering to protect our shared infrastructure,” said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. “We are committed to working together to protect vital cyber systems, to respond to and recover from any cyber disruptions, and to make cyberspace safer for all our citizens.” “The Cybersecurity Action Plan reinforces the robust relationship between DHS and Public Safety Canada,” said United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano. “We look forward to continuing our work together to increase the resiliency of our networks, enhance public-private partnerships, and build a culture of shared responsibility.” The Cybersecurity Action Plan enhances the already strong partnership and cooperation on cyber security matters between both countries, in order to ultimately better protect shared critical digital infrastructure and increase capacity to respond jointly and effectively to cyber incidents. The specific goals of the plan include enhancing collaboration on cyber incident management between each country’s cyber security operations centres, improving information sharing and engagement with the private sector, and continuing the ongoing collaboration between Canada and the U.S. on the promotion of cyber security awareness to the public ….” - more here and here.
- “A graphic designer who helped design the Ottawa Senators heritage jersey is reaching back into Canada’s military history in hopes of helping craft the name and logo of Ottawa’s next Canadian Football League team. Jacob Barrette is proposing the city’s latest CFL franchise, set to hit the field in 2014, be named the Ottawa Highlanders. The name is in homage to the Cameron Highlanders, a reserve infantry with the Canadian Forces based in Ottawa during the Second World War and the first Canadians to storm the beaches of Normandy. “You hear that reference a lot … we’ll go to war for each other, lets just do it together. So it’s something that ties so well. But for this, not only sports and football, but the City of Ottawa and specifically Lansdowne,” said Barrette. The Cameron Highlanders were stationed at Lansdowne Park before they left for the war and they helped clean out lockers and support the games. Lt. Col. Dave Kelly with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa supports the proposed name. “I think it’s an outstanding idea. I think the history between the regiment and the City of Ottawa and Lansdowne would just be outstanding,” said Kelly. Barrette launched a campaign to help get the team to consider the name and he has also created logos to go along with the pitch ….”
