MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 4 Aug 11

• Who’s taking part in Operation Nanook this year (1)?  “Three Canadian navy ships and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter are being outfitted in St. John’s for an extended mission to the Arctic. The Canadian Forces says the frigate HMCS St. John’s will be joined by the coastal defence vessels HMCS Moncton and HMCS Summerside, as well as the American coast guard cutter USCGC Willow ….”
• Who’s taking part in Operation Nanook this year (2)?  “Frostbite, trench foot, snow blindness and wild animal attacks aren’t things Peter McKenna usually has to worry about while he’s at work. But they are on the list of things the UPEI professor might encounter when he heads to the Arctic as an observer in the Operation Nanook 11 sovereignty exercise. McKenna said before he could go on the trip, he had to sign a waiver acknowledging the risks involved, which included falling through ice, hypothermia, dehydration and geographic disorientation. “I’m mildly concerned but I think that I’m in capable hands when it comes to the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence,” he said ….”
• Here here.  “…. The Department of National Defence currently offers programs for serving members to address operational stress, addictions, mental health and wellness. There are also 32 Military Family Resource Centres across Canada and more in other countries. The centres run a full range of services on youth, parenting, wellness, deployment, and family separation and reunion. Like all programs, they need independent evaluations of their effectiveness. No doubt, they could work better and reach more people. They also could better target participants by working more closely with veteran’s organizations. Nonetheless, they are essential tools of support for military families — especially for the thousands of spouses who are fighting for their partners, and for us, on the new front line of troop reintegration. (M)inister Mackay, General Natynczyk: Don’t touch the funding of these programs.“
• Afghanistan (1a)  Survey says….  “As QMI Agency followed the last Canadian combat troops out of Afghanistan last month, there was one question that seemed to get under the thick skin of even the toughest soldier. In fact, after repeatedly being asked by media in the combat zone, it became a catch phrase among some combatants — tossed about with shrugs and often rolled eyes. The question wondered: “Was it worth it?” Now, in the settling dust of Canada’s combat exit from Afghanistan — our soldiers now remain in logistical and training missions only — an exclusive Sun Media national poll has found almost three in five Canadians doubt whether the sacrifice asked of our country was worthwhile. Only 30% of respondents to the Leger Marketing survey felt it was. As well, 58% of Canadians thought the mission could not be categorized as fully accomplished after we pulled out last month ….”  More poll details here (PDF).
• Afghanistan (1b)  “…. Despite the costs and the human loss, Canada’s role in Afghanistan, its combat assignment now over, has at least given the people of that tortured country a chance at a better life. What the Afghan people do with that opportunity is now up to them. It goes without question, however, that our soldiers did their uniform proud and, while only 30% of Canadians may ultimately see the cause as worthwhile, it will never negate the fact that no soldier has ever been more supported at home, despite the war’s unpopularity ….”
• Afghanistan (2)  Bringing home the signs, flags, letters and other paraphenalia.
• Afghanistan (3)   Guess where the last Canadian flag that flew over Kandahar’s Provincial Reconstruction Team base Camp Nathan Smigh has ended up?
• What’s Canada Buying? (1)  “Remember the Used Subs” editorial:  “…. As they go about their work, each member of the bureaucracy in charge of military procurement would do well to keep a photo of Canada’s woebegone subs close at hand, as a caution against false economies. In the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme Allied commander in the Second World War: “There is no victory at bargain basement prices.” “
• What’s Canada Buying? (2)  Remember earlier this year when the CF research arm said it was hiring someone to do taser weapon research (second item)?  There’s a bit more time to offer an alternative the companies proposed.
• F-35 Tug o’ War:  Troubles in the U.S.  “All 20 F-35 Lightning IIs have been grounded following a failure of the aircraft’s integrated power package (IPP). The incident took place at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., during a ground maintenance run of aircraft AF-4, the fourth conventional takeoff and landing version of the triservice Joint Strike Fighter. Following the failure of the IPP — which combines the functions performed by an auxiliary power unit, emergency power system and environmental controls — the crew shut down the aircraft as per standard operating procedures, according to a press release by the JSF program office. There were no injuries ….”
• Some Canadian government systems are included in a report of systems found to be attacked or hacked.  “Security experts have discovered an unprecedented series of cyber attacks on the networks of 72 organizations globally, including the United Nations, governments and corporations, over a five-year period. Security company McAfee, which uncovered the intrusions, said it believed there was one “state actor” behind the attacks but declined to name it, though several other security experts said the evidence points to China. The long list of victims in the extended campaign include the governments of the United States, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Vietnam and Canada; the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); the International Olympic Committee (IOC); the World Anti-Doping Agency; and an array of companies, from defense contractors to high-tech enterprises ….”  More from the McAfee blog here, and a Q&A here.
• Pack o’ Wanted War Criminals (1)  Number six nabbed, Amnesty International wants war crime trials here.
• Pack o’ Wanted War Criminals (2)  “It’s not up to Canada to prosecute people suspected of crimes against humanity, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said Wednesday. The federal government has been publicly stepping up deportations of people found inadmissible to Canada because of a suspicion they may have participated in war crimes. But Toews said it’s not realistic for Canada to investigate, prosecute and imprison people who commit crimes against humanity in other countries. “Canada is not the UN. It’s not our responsibility to make sure each one of these faces justice in their own countries,” he (said) …. “What we are doing with [the Canada Border Services Agency] is ensuring that Canadian law is obeyed ….”
• Pack o’ Wanted War Criminals (3)  The courts say you shouldn’t hear what group one of the nabbed from Pakistan is allegedly associated with.
• A bit of perspective on the Winnipeg Jets logo:  “…. drawing political conclusions from a sports logo — racial issues aside — can point you down a long and winding road to insanity. Where does it end? Can’t cheer for the Ottawa Senators, as it conflicts with views on Canada’s unelected Senate. Or the Edmonton Oilers, as it might imply you support the pillaging of our natural resources. Or the L.A. Kings, since that would mean acceptance of any atrocities committed throughout history under monarchist rule. Or the Carolina Hurricanes, because it would be insensitive to those who have suffered at the hands of natural disaster. Forget the Calgary Flames, as too many people perish in house fires and to wear that sweater would be disrespectful. Or the Minnesota Wild. Nothing against the outdoors, they’re just ugly f*%kin’ sweaters.”

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 1 Aug 11

• Ooopsie….  “One of the Canadian navy’s four Victoria-class submarines will be restricted in its ability to dive deep beneath the seas because of rust, according to a document obtained by The Canadian Press. A Feb. 9, 2010, briefing note prepared by Lt.-Cmdr. Helga Budden recommends repairing seven areas of general rust and three regions of localized pitting rust on HMCS Windsor. Budden recommends the repair be carried out through a “protect and monitor” option which calls for grinding away and priming the corroded areas, with regular checks of those areas to be conducted once the submarine is operational. But her note says that option would result in a new depth limitation for the submarine. “Materiel safety of the submarine would be maintained through a depth limitation caveat on the Windsor’s submarine safety document register,” says the note, obtained under federal access-to-information legislation. The note was based on research done by defence research scientists in Halifax ….”
• “The Russian Air Force and NORAD, the U.S. and Canadian joint air defense command will hold a second round of anti-terrorism exercises on August 8-11, the Commander in Chief of the Eastern military district, Igor Muginov said on Monday. “The main aim of the drills is to improve the Russian Air Force’s and NORAD’s capabilities for fighting terrorism in the air,” Muginov said. The exercises will include AWACS (airborne early warning and control) and refueling aircraft, as well as combat aircraft, Muginov said. The first Russian-NORAD joint anti-terrorism drills, dubbed Vigilant Eagle, took place in 2010, and involved Russian, Canadian and U.S. air force personnel ….”
• Canadians taking part in Exercise Khaan Quest in Mongolia – more details about the exercise here and here (exercise Facebook page).
• What’s Canada Buying?  Unmanned surveillance chopper (details in Statement of Requirement – PDF -  here), and someone to design, build training facilities at CFB Trenton.
• Afghanistan  NOW more of the stories come out – thanks mainstream media decision makers….
• “The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today announced the removal from Canada of one individual who is suspected of being complicit in war crimes or crimes against humanity. Manuel De La Torre Herrera, from Peru was apprehended on July 25, 2011 in Toronto. This individual has been in CBSA custody since his apprehension. The Government has also received confirmation that Illandaridevage Kulatunga of Sri Lanka, also identified on the CBSA web site, is no longer in Canada. This update follows the announcement on July 21, 2011 by Ministers Toews and Kenney urging Canadians to help identify 30 individuals suspected of being complicit in war crimes or crimes against humanity, and who are thought to be hiding in locations across Canada….”
• Meanwhile, don’t bother checking the CBC for the names or photos of the List o’ 30 mentioned above.
• The Winnipeg Jets logo fracas continues.  “…. If you feel uncomfortable cheering for a team with a fighter jet on its jersey, why do you feel comfortable cheering for a team of large men who run around a sheet of ice hitting other large men — and occasionally punching them? So at the risk of upsetting the legacy of J.S. Woodsworth and all the other great pacifists in Winnipeg’s history, I am no more troubled by the fighter plane on the Jets jersey than I am troubled by the fang-toothed dinosaur on the Toronto Raptors’ shirts. And I’m a lot less troubled by a jet than I am by the implied message behind the Edmonton Oilers’ nickname, which celebrates non-renewable energy. And herein lies the crux of my argument: “Edmonton sucks.” Did I mention pro sport could be mindless?”

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 31 Jul 11

• “New Democrat MP Ryan Cleary is crying foul after being barred from touring the 9 Wing Gander airbase by federal officials. Cleary, who represents St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, has been a fierce critic of the government’s handling of Search and Rescue operations in Gander, and recently, he said he was invited to come for a tour by a senior official at the base. “He said please come tour the base, go up in one of the Cormorants, talk to our officials, talk to all the personnel, you know, get that first-hand account from the base,” Cleary said. “I’m getting a green light from the ground up in Gander, but then the minister shuts it down.” In an email from an official in Defence Minister Peter MacKay’s office, Cleary was told that a tour of the facility would be too much of a disruption. “In short, conducting such tours would undoubtedly detract from the high operational tempo of this important facility and aircraft, and thus limit the normal functioning of both facility and aircraft) and that of its personnel,” read the email from Merv Frame, senior special assistant in MacKay’s office ….”
• Afghanistan  What’re the Hercules crews up to?  “The lumbering Hercules CC130J descends quickly from 3,300 to 300 metres and the countdown begins. The rear ramp yawns open, revealing the ground below and Capt. Brad Beauchamp, 37, tilts the nose of the giant airplane to a 70-degree bank angle. Then he guns the engines. The plane surges forward. Down in the cargo hold, Sgt. David Burrill, 38, pulls a release cord and 20 tightly packed pallets of food, fuel and other supplies race over the steel rollers and shoot out the rear of the Hercules. It takes little more than a second or two and they are gone. In rapid succession their black chutes open and all 12,000 kilograms of cargo float feather-like toward the ground, landing one after another in near-perfect symmetry. Only one parachute fails and you can see the rogue pallet land in a burst of dust ….”
• Global TV/Postmedia News editorially underwhelmed with Calgary’s decision to go for “Support the Troops” stickers on municipal vehicles, with the option of not doing it if an individual driver objects.  “…. Drivers of city vehicles recognize they are civic ambassadors who set an example to others on the road, and are mindful that they are being judged in the court of public opinion, which holds them to a higher standard. The lack of backbone by our elected officials on this issue is an inadvertent snub to our soldiers, for whom this intention was meant to say Thank You. Council should learn from the bravery of our soldiers, and follow the lead of other municipalities, whose councillors have, after long and emotional debates on the subject, shown the courage of their own convictions.”
• Even MORE on the Winnipeg Jets’ logo, this time from NBC Sports. “…. teams are going to find inspiration for their teams from anywhere possible and finding ways to market the teams will be equally creative. That’s not to say Benjamin doesn’t have a reason to be fretful, his reasons are solid (in his blog post on the issue here), but perhaps not taking things to be so serious would be a better way to look at it.”

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 23 Jul 11

 

• Canada’s PM on explosion, multiple killings in Oslo, Norway:  “…. We deeply regret the loss of life and injuries resulting from the explosion which occurred today in the government quarters, where the Prime Minister’s Office and other government offices are located. We were also horrified to learn that a gunman has opened fire at a youth camp at Utøya. Canada condemns these barbarous and senseless acts of violence and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, witnesses and all those affected by these attacks ….”  More on the attacks here, here, here and here.
• CF help with northern Ontario forest fire evacuations, Operation FORGE, winding down.  “After successfully evacuating more than 3,600 residents from seven northern Ontario communities that had been threatened by wildfires, Canadian Forces airlift is no longer needed as part of the Province of Ontario-led evacuation efforts …. Six CC-130 Hercules military transport aircraft flew a total of 42 missions, evacuating 3,614 people from Deer Lake, Cat Lake, Fort Hope, Keewaywin, Kingfisher Lake, Kasabonika and Sandy Lake since July 6, 2011. Half of those flights took place in the past three days ….”
• Ooopsie.  “The Royal Canadian Legion is accusing the Conservative government of discrimination for offering support services only to Afghanistan veterans instead of all military personnel. At issue is the Legacy of Care Program announced in September 2010 by former Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn and Defence Minister Peter MacKay, which promised five major support services to Canadian Forces veterans. But an amended statement released this month says support programs, such the attendant care benefit, the caregiver benefit and the spousal education upgrade benefit would be restricted to only those who served in Afghanistan. “Here at the Royal Canadian Legion we believe that all veterans are equal in their service and sacrifice to their country and should be treated equitably,” Legion spokesman Pierre Allard told the Toronto Star Friday. The program promised five initiatives: barrier-free transitional accommodations, support services while in transitional accommodations, the Canadian Forces attendant care benefit, the spousal education upgrade program and enhanced case management support for seriously ill and injured personnel. “There was no mention that any element of this was going to be Afghanistan only,” Allard said. Patricia Varga, the Legion’s Dominion president said in a statement she was “appalled that such blatant discrimination is taking place.” ….”  More from Global News here, and good discussion on this one at Army.ca.
• Afghanistan (1a)  “Canada’s last combat commander in Afghanistan returned home Friday to proclaim victory after nearly 10 years of fighting a war that took the lives of 157 Canadians. “We definitely flattened the insurgency,” a smiling Brig.-Gen. Dean Milner said after arriving aboard a military airbus with 117 returning soldiers. Tears, hugs, kisses and shouts of joy echoed through a large hangar as families stood on tiptoes, snapping pictures of loved ones marching from the plane after months of separation. Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk and Lt.-Gen. Peter Devlin — responsible for land forces — welcomed the troops while a lone piper played. Canada’s combat role ended earlier this month – a responsibility now in the hands of the Americans ….”
• Afghanistan (1b)  “The commander of Canada’s last combat mission in Kandahar arrived home Friday, confident that his soldiers had “flattened” insurgents and put the troubled region on the path to stability. “Afghanistan still has its challenges but we feel that there is significant improvement in the fight against the insurgents,” said Brig.-Gen. Dean Milner. “I’m guardedly optimistic that things are moving in the right direction.” Milner arrived at Ottawa International Airport along with more than 100 soldiers who had worked in Canada’s military headquarters in Kandahar. The combat mission ended on July 1 with Canada transferring responsibility to the American military ….”  Even more at CBC.ca.
• Afghanistan (1c)  CF’s Info-Machine version of the General’s arrival:  “Brigadier-General Dean Milner, the last commander of Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan, and the final members of his team returned home from Afghanistan this afternoon. Meeting them at the Ottawa International Airport from Afghanistan were friends and family of the returning members, as well as the Honourable Peter MacKay, the Minister of National Defence, General Walt Natynczyk, the Chief of the Defence Staff, and Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin, the Chief of the Land Staff. “Today’s return of members of the Canadian Forces marks a great milestone in Canadian history. Brigadier-General Milner, his troops, and their predecessors have made incredible contributions to improving the lives and security of the people of Afghanistan, have earned the respect of their NATO peers, and have given Canadians from across the country a newfound pride in our men and women in uniform,” said Minister Peter MacKay …. “
• Afghanistan (2)  NOW the media comes up with stories about the CF & Afghanistan, after the mission and highlighting some of the heroism (specifics on awards here and here).
• Afghanistan (3a)  One columnist’s view:  “Yours and mine weren’t the hearts and minds Canadian soldiers were aiming for when they first landed in Kandahar amid the stratospherically high hopes of early 2002. But as the last of our combat troops trickle home nearly a decade later, few would dispute it is Canada they won. Death by death, injury by injury, the hard slog of the longest war transformed not only the Canadian Forces, but the way Canadians see them ….”
• Afghanistan (3b)  More on the interpreters trying to get into Canada.  “…. The lights are set to go out on Ottawa’s fast-track immigration program for Afghan interpreters who have worked on the Canadian mission. Falstan worked for the Canadian army for three months and technically does not qualify for entry to Canada. A terp needs one year of service to qualify, he said. “The danger is the same whether you work for five years — or two days. No different,” he said. “That is the big trouble for everyone. The Taliban, they know about me. They will kill me. They’ll never let me live in Afghanistan.” ….”
• Afghanistan (4)  “Canada’s foremost expert in military law said legislators should look into possibly changing certain aspects of the National Defence Act, which bars active servicemen and women from having sexual relationships with one another. Retired Col. Michel Drapeau spoke to QMI Agency after retired Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard was demoted and fined Thursday after admitting to having a sexual affair with a subordinate while in Afghanistan. Menard, 45, was a rising star in the Canadian Forces. He was appointed 18 months ago to general at just 43 years of age. Now, Menard said that his criminal record for having consensual sex with a soldier is hurting his ability to find a post-military job. Drapeau said that the non-fraternization rule is important but questioned whether violating this rule should be a criminal offence …. “I’m suggesting that there is something for parliamentarians, and the legislature in particular, to have a look and say, ‘Is this the best way to deal with this issue?’” Drapeau said. “How you apply (the law) and whether or not you criminalize it, as we have done in this case, is maybe open for federal debate.” ….”
• The political backlash has begun over even the slightest potential of military search and rescue services being privatized.  “Two federal members of parliament from Newfoundland and Labrador are alarmed at news that the federal government is looking at privatizing some elements of search and rescue services. “The notion of privatization of search and rescue capability is abhorrent,” said Jack Harris, the MP for St. John’s East and the NDP defense critic. A statement from the government on Thursday said that the Department of National Defence, which is responsible for fixed-wing search and rescue, is looking at all options to ensure the best possible equipment and service ….”  More from the St. John’s Telegram here.
• Latest on Big Honkin’ Ship Building:  “The East Coast will be competing against the West Coast to win the right to build $25 billion in warships for the Canadian navy. Officials with the Halifax and Vancouver shipyards confirmed Thursday that their parent companies have bid on both federal shipbuilding contracts up for grabs. “We are very confident in our bids, our facilities, our partnerships, and most importantly, our workforce,” Jim Irving, CEO of Irving Shipbuilding Inc., which owns the Halifax yard, said in a news release. A spokeswoman for the third bidder, a consortium that includes Davie Yards of Levis, Que., said the newly restructured shipyard is “mainly focusing on the non-combat package.” ….”
• F-35 Tug o’ War  Former signals officer/signals intelligence processor says we need the F-35s, bad.  ”…. a nation that is incapable of contributing to its own defence is a lame-duck nation, vulnerable to any manner of exploitation and oppression. We need to maintain a warfighting capability, because military capabilities take decades to acquire, develop and hone, precluding the possibility that we can just purchase it if ever the need should arise. We need the F-35 to provide Canada with an effective, multi-role, inter-operable air warfare capability.”
• What’s Canada Buying?  Remember the search for someone to check out the naval cemetery at CFB Stadacona (13th bullet here)?  More on that from The Canadian Press:  “They are scattered throughout a small military cemetery in Halifax — dozens of weathered headstones dating back more than a century, bearing the names of seamen and civilians associated with the Royal Navy. The grave markers were meant to stand as enduring tokens of respect, but they also serve as a reminder of the many more men, women and children buried here whose names cannot be found on any memorial. Now the Department of National Defence has launched a project in hopes of preserving potentially hundreds of unmarked graves at Canadian Forces Base Halifax. “The hope is to find out where all these graves are,” says historian Rick Sanderson, executive director of the Maritime Command Museum located on the base. “The graveyard is very important to the navy because the origins of the Canadian navy are with the British navy and to a certain extent, the French navy as well.” ….”
• “A Canadian Forces pilot hailed for ejecting from a fighter jet moments before a crash a year ago is now working as a flight instructor in Saskatchewan.  Capt. Brian Bews was making a low-speed pass at low altitude on a practice run for the Alberta International Airshow on July 23, 2010, when he had to eject from the jet seconds before it smashed into the airstrip at the Lethbridge airport. The one-year anniversary of the crash has brought back many memories, said Bews in a recent interview from CFB Moose Jaw ….”
• Well done, marchers.  “After four difficult days of walking, and hundreds of sore feet, the members of the Canadian Forces (CF) contingent successfully completed the 95th annual International Four Days Marches Nijmegen. Consisting of more than 200 soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen from units across Canada, the Canadian contingent can be proud of themselves for having finished one of the most prestigious long-distance walking events in the world …. the Canadian contingent …. marched 40 km a day, for four days in a row, while wearing standard combat clothing and carrying a military rucksack weighing at least 10 kilograms.  After completing the grueling 160 km march, members of the CF contingent were presented the Four Day Marches Cross by (Brigadier-General J.C. Madower, Assistant Chief Military Personnel) during a ceremony held at Charlemagne Field, Nijmegen ….”
• Remember Canada’s call to help track down the Top 30 War Criminals in Canada?  “Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says suspected war criminal Cristobal Gonzalez-Ramirez has been arrested in Alberta after authorities received several tips from the public. Kenney made the announcement at a press conference in Montreal on Friday, just one day after the government launched a website containing the names of 30 alleged war criminals. “Our government received a strong mandate from Canadians to keep our streets and communities safe, and maintain the integrity of our immigration system,” Kenney said in a statement. “We asked the public for assistance in apprehending these individuals and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.” ….”
• New Winnipeg Jets logo channels old RCAF emblems (more from media here and here):