MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 20 Dec 10

• Corporal Steve Martin, R22eR, R.I.P. Statements from the Commander-in-Chief (who will be attending the return of Martin at CFB Trenton), Prime Minister and Defence Minister.  Condolence thread at Army.ca here.  More from Postmedia News, CBC.ca, CTV.ca, and Agence France-Presse.  He’s reportedly on his way home.
• One last Christmas downrange for Canadian troops? “The weather outside is always frightful, and when you’re under fire, it’s never delightful. And, what Canadian soldiers wouldn’t give to let it snow, even just a little to brighten the drab, winter-scorched farmland of western Panjwaii. Peace on earth and good will to all men seems very far away this season, almost as distant as it was when troops celebrated their first Christmas amid the ruins of this stark land almost seven years ago. Much the same as other days, Dec. 25 is expected to come and go with the grind of army orders and routine of patrols along bomb-sewn laneways in mud-moulded villages that have remained stubbornly unchanged since the Nativity ….”
• Another of Canada’s fallen is remembered though a scholarship. “Women in Defence and Security (WiDS) has named its 2011 Memorial Scholarship in honour of Captain Nichola Goddard. Capt Goddard, a forward observation officer, was killed May 17, 2006, during a clearance operation with Afghan security personnel west of Kandahar City. Having arrived in Afghanistan in January 2006, she served with Task Force Afghanistan as part of 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group. She was stationed with 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, in Shilo, Man. “We thought it was fitting to pay tribute to Capt Goddard,” says WiDS President Anne Healey. “She embodied a phenomenal spirit and the recipient of this scholarship will no doubt carry on her legacy of excellence and leadership in defence and security.”  WiDS established the Memorial Scholarship to encourage women to pursue careers related to the national defence and security interests of Canada. The scholarship is currently renamed annually on behalf of women who have distinguished themselves in the field of defence and security ….”
• Taliban Propaganda Watch: More attacks alleged in Kandahar, Uruzgan, and some screed about Palestine on the Taliban web page.
• In Kingston, it seems CF members are using food banks. “…. Staff are also seeing a developing trend-military personnel low on the pay scale who need a little extra help because they just don’t make enough to meet their needs. According to information on the National Defence website, a Regular Force Private makes $2,663-$3,911 (over a three increment pay grade) a month, not much if they are supporting a family. “We are seeing that quite a bit, and unfortunately that will be the new norm for us,” Singers points out. “The need is getting greater everywhere and the economy is a big factor in that. We find a lot of the new users had either lost a job or their hours had been reduced in the retail sector. There is no change in that status in our community so we can assume that it will continue.” ….” More on the the Partners in Mission Food Bank here.
• CF search and rescue assets take part in Chilean SAR exercise. “Twenty-one members of Canada’s Air Force and a CC-130 Hercules aircraft from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 17 Wing Winnipeg, Man. participated in the first multi-national disaster response exercise organized by the Sistema de Cooperación entre las Fuerzas Aéreas Americanas (System of Cooperation among the Air Forces of the Americas – SICOFAA) hosted by the Republic of Chile …. Canada participated with one CC-130 from 435 (T&R) Sqn with two crews, the SICOFAA liaison officer in Santiago, and an air operations subject matter expert in the international CAOC in Puerto Montt. 435 Sqn’s participation in the exercise included a search and rescue demonstration for participating air forces and local media in Puerto Montt, as well as flying an additional 33 hours, transporting 16 per cent of all exercise cargo and flying 6 per cent of all exercise passengers ….”

Steve Martin, R22eR, R.I.P.

This from a CF news release:

“One Canadian Forces member was killed yesterday, December 18th, 2010, after an improvised explosive device detonated while on operations in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar Province, at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time.  Killed in action was Corporal Steve Martin, from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, serving with 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec.  Our thoughts are with the families and friends of our fallen soldier during this difficult time …. “

Condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the latest fallen.  We mourn with you.