Canada’s Civilian Spy Planes May Not Be Around Long in Afghanistan

First, we find out Canada is fixing up light planes to do all sorts of electronic reconnaisance work over Afghanistan as part of the bigger job of spotting/dealing with IEDs.

In the latest update in the Ottawa Citizen, I dee something that causes me to think the planes, which could be in theatre by this coming summer, may not be around long (highlights mine):

…. Defence Department spokeswoman Lynne Rattray noted that it made more sense to use contract pilots. “The aircraft will be flown by civilian contractors, who would be employed on a dedicated basis, as it is more efficient than training and diverting CF pilots to this short-term task,” Ms. Rattray said.

Does this mean they’re only going to re-fit these planes and use them with civilian contractors for about a year? Even though it could be a good idea to continue it beyond Canada’s military presence in Afghanistan?