MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 7 Aug 11

• Afghanistan  Condolences from Canada’s PM on the disastrous helicopter crash in Afghanistan killing more than 30 Americans and 7 Afghans.  “…. On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the brave U.S. service members and Afghan soldiers who lost their lives today in this terrible incident. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices that men and women in uniform continue to make in Afghanistan. Canada will not waiver in its efforts to see Afghanistan emerge as a peaceful, secure and stable country that will never again be a safe haven for terrorists ….”
• The boss of Canada’s Army has good things to say (via Twitter) about the new military boss in Quebec Brigadier General Richard Giguère:  “I’m confidant in BGen Giguère as the new commander of Land Force Quebec Area. His troops are doing well.”  Aussi en français.
• Some photos at Army.ca of a recent Pathfinder Course run by the CF.
• “Ottawa needs to give homeless veterans a place to live while they get their lives back together, New Democrat MP Peter Stoffer demanded Friday. Stoffer said the federal government should set up transition centres in Halifax and across the country to help what he said is a growing number of veterans living on the streets, or at risk of being there soon. The official Opposition’s Veterans Affairs critic said it is Ottawa’s responsibility to help the troubled veterans, many of whom have post-traumatic stress disorder. “These individuals served their country and their country must serve them,” Stoffer told a news conference across the street from the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope in Halifax ….”
• A defence of fraternization in a theatre of war.  “…. If there restrictions are imposed on relationships while on active duty because of potential problems, I would make the case that there are as many if not more potential problems from denying the Canadian Force’s personnel the right to have these relationships. Secret trysts, deceptions, and the potential to destroy someone’s career and giving them a criminal record for falling in love must make a near impossible job that much harder ….”  Really? Wonder how the boss having sex with the blog post author’s boss would go over? Not great for newsroom morale, I’d guess.
• A bit of a fracas over the proposed sinking of the HMCS Annapolis to become a divers’ attraction.  “…. The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia plans to sink the warship in an idyllic bay close to Vancouver, creating an easily accessible opportunity for recreational scuba divers and a new home for possibly more than 100 marine species. Residents of the area near the bay and environmentalists are up in arms. They are troubled by the possible release of toxins and increase in boat traffic that could turn the secluded waters into a busy, commercial dive site. They are upset with both the federal and provincial governments, which raised concerns about the project and then, without explanation, encouraged the reef society to move ahead with it ….”
• Remember Adil Charkaoui (who took his security certificate restrictions to court) and Abousfian Abdelrazik (who spent years in Sudan because he couldn’t fly back to Canada due to being on a U.N. terrorist watch list)?  A Montreal newspaper (articles in French here, here and here) says it’s received documents explaining why authorities were suspicious about these guys.  “…. a CSIS document leaked to Montreal’s French-language newspaper La Presse now suggests why Abousfian Abdelrazik and Adil Charkaoui have been terrorism suspects for so long in the eyes of the federal government. The La Presse report says CSIS intercepted a phone conversation between the two men in the summer of 2000. In the CSIS document the newspaper describes, the two men reportedly discuss a plot to blow up an airplane travelling between Montreal and France using explosives hidden in a keychain. Lawyers representing the two men categorically deny their clients are involved in any terrorist plot, and said the information on which the report is based may not be reliable evidence. “There’s never been any criminal charges against Mr. Abdelrazik. Presumably this type of a conversation would attract at least some kind of criminal investigation or a criminal charge,” said Khalid Elgazzar, one of Abdelrazik’s lawyers ….”  More from English-language media here and here.
• Still with the back and forth over the Winnipeg Jets’ new logo (via the Winnipeg Free Press).

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 26 Jul 11

• What’s Canada Buying:  Big Honkin’ Ships (1)  “A winning bid by North Vancouver-based Seaspan Marine for one of two federal shipbuilding contracts currently up for grabs would trigger a stimulus package of up to $40 million for the province’s shipbuilding industry, the British Columbia government announced Monday. Pat Bell, B.C. minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, made the announcement at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards. “As promised, our government is helping Seaspan submit the strongest possible bid and this investment focuses on job creation. “We are investing in our human capital by supporting the creation of marine industry jobs for years to come.” As well, B.C. Ferries pledged $20 million to build capacity in the ship repair and maintenance sector ….”  More from Reuters here, the Globe & Mail here and the Government of British Columbia here.
• What’s Canada Buying:  Big Honkin’ Ships (2)  “Vancouver should brace itself for significant change if Vancouver Shipyards Company wins a portion of the $35-billion in federal contracts for new warships and other vessels this fall, a company executive says. In an interview shortly after the company submitted its bid, John Shaw, a vice-president at the parent company Seaspan Marine Corp., said winning the contract would mean expansion of training and apprenticeship programs, and a search for more than 2,000 new employees. “We would be rebuilding an industry. … We’re at a point where we would have to train a whole new generation on shipbuilding,” Mr. Shaw said. “It would be a huge change here.” ….”
• What’s Canada Buying:  Big Honkin’ Ships (3)  “Canada is going ahead with a $3.3 billion plan to beef up Arctic security and assert its sovereignty amid competing measures by other countries increasingly interested in the thawing region’s immense potential. The funds will be used to build up to eight Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships, the navy said. In addition to more than $3 billion in acquiring the vessels, another $4.5 billion will be needed to maintain them over an expected 25-year lifespan. International efforts to flag ownership of parts of the Arctic has heated up in recent years as Arctic ice melts, offering numerous opportunities including alternative maritime routes. Canada is keen to stamp its sovereignty on the area it sees as its own amid frequent challenges from Russia. It has bolstered and extended its military presence but is only now beginning to boost its forces ….”
• What’s Canada Buying?  Research into the “thinking” software for controlling multiple UAVs, and someplace to live for CC-177 techs to live while training in Charleston, South Carolina.
• More politics with the (possible?  potential?) privatization of Canada’s search and rescue forces?  “…. (Newfoundland & Labrador Premier Kathy) Dunderdale was asked about the speculation the federal government will be looking at the hiring of private operators to provide air search and rescue services …. “As soon as I heard the speculation Ottawa might be considering that, we contacted the Prime Minister’s Office immediately and said again to them the health and safety is the number one priority in this province. It’s an issue to which we’re highly sensitive, we’re still very, very upset over the Marine Sub-Centre, and we’re not letting that go. So please do not exacerbate this any further. And, before you have any consideration at all about changing the way you do this business, you come to Newfoundland and Labrador and you talk to the government of Newfoundland and Labrador and you talk to the people involved in this industry before you take any moves whatsoever,” Dunderdale said …. Not long after that statement, the premier made the point there is no issue yet, since the privatization of air search and rescue services remains only speculation.”
• Minister of National Defence in Winnipeg today to make $ announcement at 17 Wing.
• Fracas on the West Coast over building heights and airplanes.  “Time and due process will eventually resolve the controversy surrounding possible overheight buildings in CFB Comox airspace, according to base commander Jim Benninger. As well, 19 Wing will work with Transport Canada to ensure service in and out of the airport continues as normal, Benninger told the Echo. The issue began after the Department of National Defence (DND) rejected the preferred Crown Isle site for a new Comox Valley hospital, on grounds the proposed four-storey building would have exceeded federal height regulations. The Vancouver Island Health Authority had applied for a variance permit for the site in March, but it was ultimately rejected by DND. Following that news, it emerged that DND would be conducting a survey of its airspace, a four-kilometre radius from the base that includes most of Crown Isle Resort ….”
• Afghanistan (1)  “It may be almost a month away, but the celebration for returning Canadian Forces members from Afghanistan is largely planned already at Kingston’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560. The event takes place on Aug. 20, and legion president Allan Jones says it’s going to be big. “We’re a military town,” Jones said. Between 150 and 200 Afghan veterans from the Kingston area, their families, legion members and the general public are all invited to attend, Jones said. The legion hosts a large annual event for Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, Jones said; “We expect it to be as big or bigger than that.” ….”
• Afghanistan (2)  Head of Canada’s Army visits Fort Campbell, KY to award Commendation to U.S. unit for work in Afghanistan in 2008 – pictures at Flickr.com here.
• Afghanistan (3)  Reservist loses military job after deploying to Afghanistan???  There’s got to be more to this story than meets the page….
• How poochies are helping wounded warriors.  “Retired soldier Dave Desjardins is best friends with a 2 1/2-year-old Rottweiler named Maggie. Maggie helps the 41-year-old Ottawa resident pick up water bottles, take clothes out of the dryer, close the fridge door and get down the stairs. She gives hugs. On easily the hottest day of the summer, Maggie sits panting next to Desjardins, who’s on his living room couch, and braces herself so he can get up for a glass of water. “I know you hate when I do this,” he says. He grips her thick neck, tells her to steady, and, struggling against the pain of his hips, stands upright. “That’s my girl. Good job,” he says, giving her huge jowls a scratch and then slowly making his way to the kitchen. Maggie happily trots after him ….”
• Canadians in Ukraine training, exercising with loads of other troops – this from the U.S. Military Info-Machine:  “Exercise Rapid Trident 11 kicked off, July 25, with an opening ceremony at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center here. “This Partnership for Peace exercise provides all partner nations the opportunity to enhance your capabilities to conduct multi-national and combined coalition operations,” said Kevin Volk, U.S. co-director of the exercise. “This exercise will leave an impression in the history of rapid trident exercises because this year we will conduct airborne operations,” said Maj. Gen. Vyacheslav Nazarkin, Ukrainian co-director of the exercise. Rapid Trident 11 involves approximately 1,600 personnel and will consist of multi-national airborne operations, situational training exercise lanes and a field training exercise. In addition to U.S. Army Europe, the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and Ukraine, participants include: Latvia, Belarus, Moldova, Slovenia, Canada, Poland, Serbia, the UK, Lithuania, Estonia, California and Utah National Guard and U.S. Air Force Europe ….”
• Congratulations!  “Ordinary Seaman Yvette Yong of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Discovery (Vancouver) aims a kick at her Chinese opponent prior to winning Canada’s first ever Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) gold medal in the taekwondo women’s under 46 kilogram event 23 July during the 2011 World Military Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.” (via Flickr.com)
• Calgary OK’s Support the Troops stickers on city vehicles (but doesn’t make them mandatory).  “City council approved a plan on Monday that will see some city vehicles decked-out in yellow ribbons that say “Support Our Troops.” But the decals will not be mandatory, city council decided. It will up to individual operators of city vehicles to decide whether to participate in the campaign, which was suggested by Ald. Shane Keating. Mayor Naheed Nenshi said it was important to make the decals optional. “I think that’s a lot of what the military is fighting for. So we have to find the right balance between making sure we are supporting people, but we’re also supporting the rights of our employees to have their own opinions,” he said ….”
• Let’s never forget the Korean war. “…. Over the course of the next three years, The Memory Project Archive will collect 516 Korean War testimonials from veterans across the country, one for each of the fallen Canadians from that conflict …. Let’s make sure that we remember the Forgotten War. If you are, or know, a veteran of the Korean War, help us ensure these stories become part of an essential legacy of Canadian military history. Lest we forget.”
• Newfoundland mayor honours U.S. veterans, wants to memorialize disaster.  “Joe Vendola, 91, slowly made his way through the Long Island National Cemetery. The summer heat wave was beginning to cool down, with a fresh breeze. Vendola’s face filled with excitement as he recognized the tombstone of an old friend and teammate from the USS Truxtun, Andrew Dusak. Painful memories followed immediately, as he remembered the night when 110 sailors from his ship lost their lives right before his eyes. At 4 a.m. on a stormy February in 1942, three U.S. naval ships, the USS Truxtun, USS Pollux, and the USS Wilkes lost their way by the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Truxtun and the Pollux wrecked. According to the maritime history archive, the Pollux-Truxtun disaster is considered one of the worst accidents in U.S. naval history. A total of 203 marines perished. “It is a pilgrimage of honor for me, to visit all the sailors. It’s really special to be with Joe today, he was very excited to touch base with the community,” said Mayor Wayde Rowsell of St. Lawrence, Canada …. Rowsell wishes to work with the United States to build an International Park on site of the tragedy. The park would be built to honor and keep these acts of courage alive, and to “never forget the generosity of a great nation of great people,” the mayor said. It would be developed and maintained by both governments. A letter of proposal was sent to Congress recently ….”

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 14 May 11

• “Canada’s ability to deploy its combat forces overseas will be impeded for more than a year due to the complexity of repairing and repatriating huge quantities of gear at the end of the current combat mission, the commander of the army says. “We are planning to be reconstituted to a level of deployability by November 2012,” said Lt.-Gen. Peter Devlin during a briefing on how to move tons of helicopters, ammunition, heavy armoured vehicles and about 1,000 sea containers of equipment back to Canada. “We will have the means, by December 2012, to deploy a capable task force — not of this size — to respond if the government of Canada wants to commit us.” ….”
• More on those 3 per cent who got booted from the HMCS Charlottetown before it deployed to Libya.
• Manitoba flooding help has been named OP Lustre.
• Congrats to all those receiving Mentioned in Dispatches awards (including the two who can’t be named).
• “Imprisoned in a concealed hole in the ground in the Afghan countryside, Mellissa Fung interviewed her rapist the morning after he assaulted her. The veteran CBC journalist had been stabbed and abducted as she was leaving a refugee camp near Kabul. That was the beginning of 28 days in captivity that Fung recounts in her poignant, harrowing, gripping and ultimately inspiring memoir, Under an Afghan Sky, which is already on the bestseller lists. Fung also interviewed the man who had knifed her. Tormented, driven to the limits of endurance, alternately fighting the monotony and terror of being a kidnap victim, she shows herself to be the ultimate journalist, engaging her fundamentalist captors in dialogue about religion, elections, women, the Taliban. Fung recounts each moment vividly, her telling details and superb use of dialogue taking the reader into the dark heart of Afghanistan and a foreign correspondent’s worst nightmare ….”
• Taliban Propaganda Watch:  Loads of attacks and kills alleged across Zabul.
• F-35 Tug o’ War:  More problems stateside.  “U.S. Air Force’s F-35 fighter, due to form the bulk of future U.S. tactical air power and to be bought by allies, may be able to fly only 85 percent as far as originally projected, a Pentagon document shows. The radar-evading aircraft’s “A” model is currently estimated to have a combat mission radius of 584 nautical miles, just short of the required 590 nautical miles, a Dec. 31-dated report to Congress said. Program officials originally estimated that the F-35A would be able to hit targets 690 nautical miles away, unrefueled, or 15 percent more than now, the Department of Defense’s “Selected Acquisition Report” showed. The current combat radius prediction is based on estimates of the amount of compressed air diverted from the engine to run onboard systems as well on aircraft performance and fuel capacity that are not yet fully known, the report said ….”
• “Prolific blogger” Mark Collins highlights what Canada’s going to be buying down the road.
• “The commander of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown is heading to Manhattan. Col. Michael Pearson, commander of CFB Gagetown, is heading to New York to work with Canadian diplomats. The seasoned soldier will fill the role of defence attache and will be working with Canadian diplomats involved in global issues. Pearson, who took over control of CFB Gagetown two years ago, is still waiting on further details regarding his duties. “By all accounts, it’s a fascinating job,” Pearson said. “It’s a fascinating place with a group of professional Canadian diplomats as my colleagues and the ambassador as my boss.” ….”
• “Canadian Coast Guard crew members are calling for a legislative overhaul and reporting structure reforms to meet a proposed new mandate that would give the civilian agency an armed policing role. The Conservative election platform unveiled plans to arm certain vessels in the fleet, establish armed boarding teams with RCMP and CCG personnel, and give law enforcement responsibilities to the maritime patrol agency. Christine Collins, national president of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees that represents CCG employees across the country, said the surprise platform pledge represents a “very significant change” in role ….”
• “They came from rough-and-tumble lumber camps, humdrum offices and the pot-holed streets of post World War II Canada. They turned into crack troops who could take on a force many times their size in terrain that was half a world away. When it was over they went quietly back to their lives, forgotten and unsung. Few would think of the 1950-53 Korean War — if they think of it at all — as a Canadian victory. And as Canada enters a new conflict in Libya, and ends a bruising confrontation in Afghanistan, the now-obscure war fought under the UN flag is lost in the vapour trails of history. Kapyong was one battle in that dirty, drawn-out war, and its 60th anniversary on April 24 was largely unmarked. But says Dan Bjarnason, a veteran CBC correspondent and military researcher, it was a pivotal moment that could have altered the political and geographical landscape of East Asia. Bjarnason’s book, Triumph at Kapyong, documents an extraordinary moment in Canadian and Korean history that was as unlikely as it was unknown. “Kapyong was the gateway to Seoul,” he says. “If it had fallen Seoul would likely have gone under. Then it would have been a free-for-all and anything could have happened.” ….”
• AQ spokespersons, meanwhile, say the material was already in the complex when they moved in.  “A stash of pornography was found in the hideout of Osama bin Laden by the U.S. commandos who killed him, current and former U.S. officials said on Friday. The pornography recovered in bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, consists of modern, electronically recorded video and is fairly extensive, according to the officials, who discussed the discovery with Reuters on condition of anonymity. The officials said they were not yet sure precisely where in the compound the pornography was discovered or who had been viewing it. Specifically, the officials said they did not know if bin Laden himself had acquired or viewed the materials ….”

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 27 Mar 11

• Could the CF be back at ‘er in Manitoba for flooding again soon? “The City of Winnipeg has 1.5 million sandbags ready as part of its plan for what may be the area’s worst flood since 1997. Randy Hull, the emergency preparedness co-ordinator, said Friday that the most recent flood forecast issued by the province required no change in plans. Hull said Winnipeg is much better prepared than it was prior to the 1997 flood ….”
• Timothy James Wilson, 1975-2006, R.I.P. “A southern Afghanistan field base named after a slain Canadian soldier will soon be getting a new Afghan title, but a ceremony on Friday ensured Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson’s presence at the facility will live on. The service at Forward Operating Base Wilson was called to unveil a new memorial plaque that will hang beside the site’s helicopter landing zone. The idea to dedicate the area to Wilson came from his mother, Jane, who wrote a letter to the base leaders earlier this year ….”
• Taliban Propaganda Watch: Attacks alleged across RC South, and a “you gotta admit we’re still winning” statement for the Afghan new year.
• F-35 Tug o’ War (1) – Lookit all the information & fact sheets the CF has out on the F-35.
• F-35 Tug o’ War (2) - “The first taste of war for the F-35 joint strike fighter is years ahead, if ever, but the Lockheed Martin-developed-and-built jet is engulfed in political combat. Pentagon officials Thursday ordered General Electric and Rolls-Royce to stop work on an alternative engine for the F-35, a move that congressional critics said won’t be the last word on the subject. And Canada’s Parliament is expected to vote today on a no-confidence motion that would topple the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and force new elections, in part because opponents say the administration has not been honest about the cost of buying F-35s ….”
• “Mr. Blake C. Goldring, Chairman and CEO of AGF Management Limited, was formally recognized as the Honorary Colonel of the Army at a ceremony (Saturday) at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin, Commander of Canada’s Army. “The tradition of Honorary Colonels within the Canadian Army dates back to the 13th Battalion of Infantry in 1895. In today’s context, having influential Canadians in that capacity enhances the Army as a collective. Honorary Colonel Goldring has been a staunch supporter of the Army and Canadian soldiers,” said Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin, Chief of the Land Staff. “I am very pleased that he will continue to be associated with us as the first ever Honorary Colonel of the Army. This new position will only compliment our already formidable Honorary Colonel network in maintaining the strongest possible links between the Army and Canadian citizens …. “

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 24 Feb 11

• Canadians are starting to GTFO Libya. “The first group of Canadian evacuees left Libya Wednesday by boat and more are expected to fly out Thursday, the federal government says. Foreign Affairs confirmed at least 26 Canadians, along with several American and British citizens, left the Libyan capital of Tripoli on a U.S. charter ferry heading to Malta. The Canadian charter flight is scheduled to leave Thursday afternoon from Tripoli to Rome, Italy. Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon is expected to greet the flight, as well as meet with his Italian counterpart to discuss the situation in Libya. Evacuees are asked to bring food and water and will have to reimburse the federal government $500 for the cost of the flight. So far, 178 Canadians currently trapped in the North African nation have said they want to leave the country. Some 350 Canadians are registered with the embassy in Libya ….” More on the exodus from CTV.ca and Postmedia News.
• More news on the latest in Libya here (Google News), here (EMM News Brief:  Libya),  here (NewsNow), here (BBC) and here (Al Jazeera English).
• I would f**king well HOPE so! “Troops who will be sent to Afghanistan for training missions later this year will include corporals, not just senior officers, Canada’s chief of land staff for the Canadian Forces has revealed. Canadian corporals have a “level of maturity and capability and pride that we think is important to share with the Afghans,” Lieutenant General Peter Devlin told QMI Agency in an exclusive interview. Devlin said the corporals will join officers and senior NCOs (non-commissioned officers such as sergeants and warrant officers), which will help spread out the work for Canadian troops. Corporals are ““gifted instructors, I would put them up against senior NCOs from other nations, and that is our approach,” he said. While corporals are among the more junior ranks of Canada’s Army, they posses valuable combat experience in Afghanistan, Devlin added ….”
• What Canadian trainer/mentors are up to in Afghanistan.
• More on Canadian troops serving in Sudan, especially following the referendum creating the world’s newest country. “The Canadian Forces members of Task Force Sudan took part in efforts by United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to support the recent referendum in South Sudan: maintaining a constant patrol presence in all sectors of the country, both north and south, and facilitating the delivery of ballots to polling stations. UNMIS kept a low profile, focussing on security and support for the U.N. agencies that monitored and assisted the voting process directly.  The vote was largely free of violence or fraud, and the participation rate was much higher than we ever see in Canada. The international community has praised the people of South Sudan for their patient participation in a watershed decision.  Task Force Sudan is deployed under Operation SAFARI to provide UNMIS with staff officers and United Nations Military Observers (UNMOs). At any given time, Task Force Sudan comprises about 26 military personnel, including a small but mighty national support element in Khartoum supporting both the CF members of the task force and the Canadian police officers serving in Sudan with the U.N. Police (UNPOL) ….”
• What’s Canada Buying? (1)  Who’s interested, qualified to refit HMCS PROTECTEUR? “The Department of National Defence has a requirement for a refit of HMCS PROTECTEUR; a West Coast Canadian based PROTECTEUR Class Auxiliary Oil Replenishment (AOR) ship based in Victoria, British Columbia. It is anticipated that the refit work will commence February 2012 with a completion date of December 2012 ….” (via Milnet.ca)
• What’s Canada Buying? (2) Someone to set up a “temporary” camp at Resolute Bay for $6.5 million, and three organizations get contract to conduct Taser research. (via Milnet.ca)
• F-35 Tug o’ War (1a) From the Toronto Star:  “Federal Liberals plan to open a second front in their document war with the Harper government. The party’s defence critic, Dominic Leblanc, is demanding the release of a key air force report that lays out the justification for the purchase of F-35 stealth fighter jets. The statement of operational requirements was stamped classified by National Defence last year and the Conservative government has resisted calls by the opposition parties to make the document public. LeBlanc served notice to the House of Commons defence committee that he’ll table a motion demanding the release of the statement — a measure he hopes the NDP and Bloc Québécois will support. That sets the stage for another tug-of-war over document secrecy ….”
• F-35 Tug o’ War (1b) From the Toronto Sun:  “Another day, another Liberal MP attacking the Conservatives for allegedly being too secretive and wasteful with public money. Liberal defence critic Dominic LeBlanc lashed out at the government Wednesday for hiding the true costs of their tough-on-crime agenda, and for going ahead with the F35 stealth fighter jet purchase amid fears the $16 billion figure for the 65 aircraft (including maintenance) is going to grow. “Despite repeated reasonable requests by Liberal MPs for precise cost estimates on the Conservative stealth fighter purchase and the prison expansion plans, the Harper government continues to hide these numbers,” LeBlanc said at a press conference Wednesday. “The bottom line for us is Canadians have a right to know before Parliament is asked to vote on important pieces of legislation or approve massive expenditures like those involved in the stealth fighter purchase.” ….”
• Canada’s Air Force is pumping a bit of $ into the Kansas economy. “The sky of Salina may be a little louder than usual as our neighbors to the north with six CF-18 Hornets and two CH-146 Griffon helicopters from Canadian Air CF-18s on the flightline in Salina. Canada’s Tactical Fighter Squadrons have an economic impact of close to $2 million each deployment. Force 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron take advantage of the training and basing opportunities at the Salina Airport Authority and the Smoky Hill Weapons Range, through March 23 ….”
• Loooongish service from an aviation workhorse. “Nine CC-138 Twin Otters have served with the Canadian Forces (CF) since 1971. In 1994, 440 Transport and Rescue Squadron was renamed 440 Transport Squadron (440 (T) Sqn), its fleet was reduced to four aircraft and the squadron relocated to Yellowknife, where it remains today. “[The Twin Otter] has supported a wide number of roles while supporting Canada, the Canadian Forces and Canadians,” explains Lieutenant-Colonel Dwayne Lovegrove, Commanding Officer, 440 (T) Sqn, “so it’s worthy of a little bit of celebration.” ….”
• Uh, no they DON’T (corrections in terminology mine).  “War resisters Deserters in Canada need our support …. Thank you for the eloquent article on Rodney Watson, the U.S. Army resister alleged deserter who is living in Vancouver under constant threat of deportation. Watson’s Canadian wife and their young son also suffer from this unconscionable situation. All of us who care about justice for military resister alleged deserters should besiege Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney’s office with requests for a humane resolution.” Anyone who volunteers for the military and runs away because they don’t like the mission is like a cop who won’t police in a certain area of town because s/he disagrees with protecting people living in that area.  Want to make a solid political statement that’ll impress people?  Don’t go, and face the music.