MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 25 Jan 11

• The new Canadian training mission in Afghanistan takes shape (based on 3PPCLI?) “A battle group of Canadian soldiers originally intended to backstop the withdrawal from Kandahar is expected to form the nucleus of the country’s new training mission in Afghanistan. The general commanding the transition says a battalion-sized force of soldiers from 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry had been set aside in case of emergency during the pullout, but military planners have determined it’s no longer required with the flood of American troops in the region. Brig.-Gen. Charles Lamarre says the scope of the training mission, expected to include 700 troops and 250 support staff, has yet to be determined. “We’re waiting for direction on what that structure will be; where it is Canada will put troops; and the location that will make the training mission work,” Lamarre told The Canadian Press in an interview. Whether the entire battalion or selected elements are used is still being debated ….”
• One Toronto cop’s story in Kandahar: “I spent nine months in Afghanistan, helping train police officers and patrolling with the military. I’m not a churchgoing man, but I’ve never done more praying in my life “
• Canada’s Governor General/Commander in Chief calls programs offered at Owl’s Head by ASF and Soldier On for injured soldiers “inspiring.” More about the Adaptive Sports Foundation here, and Soldier On here.
• Rallies planned to celebrate the end of Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan. “Veterans’ advocates are planning rallies across Canada to mark the end of the Afghanistan combat mission. The main event will be held in Ontario’s Niagara region July 9, with a series of smaller rallies in other communities to welcome home and thank the troops. Organizer Michael Blais said various veterans’ associations, vets’ motorcycle clubs and American veterans’ groups will be invited to take part in a weekend of activities that will include entertainment and military-themed exhibits. He said the objective is to honour soldiers for their duty and sacrifice. “I think Canadians have done an outstanding job in Afghanistan under very adverse circumstances and we should, as a nation, stand up when our troops have fulfilled the mission,” he said ….”
• “Dismissed by the Canadian Forces, Robert Semrau begins the next stage of life—as a civilian.”
• Taliban Propaganda Watch: More attacks alleged on cops, convoys in Kandahar, Zabul.
• “A majority of Canadians see Arctic sovereignty as the country’s top foreign-policy priority and believe military resources should be shifted to the North from global conflicts, according to a new opinion poll. The survey also found that Canadians are generally far less receptive to negotiation and compromises on Arctic disputes than Americans. “That traditional notion of what is a Canadian is kind of challenged by this. We sound more like what people would say Americans would sound like dealing with international issues. That’s quite an eye-opener,” said Neil Desai, director of programs and communications at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.  The findings are based on an Arctic-security poll of more than 9,000 people in the eight northern countries: Canada, the United States, Russia, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. The surveys were conducted by Ekos Research for the Munk School ….”
• F-35 Tug of War Latest:  Former Canadian generals say, “Canadians need to be able to see through the many misconceptions that surround the F-35 acquisition, which is a vital element in the securing of our nation’s future”
• “A federal decision on whether the U.S.-based manufacturer of Canada’s new fleet of navy helicopters will pay millions of dollars in fines for late delivery will be made next month. A spokeswoman for Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose says Sikorsky’s request for Ottawa to excuse the latest delay for delivery of the Cyclones has been formally refused. But the company has appealed the refusal and a senior civil servant will make the final call on whether it musst pay $45,000 per day for up to 120 days of delay. Sikorsky told the federal government on Nov. 22 that it wouldn’t meet its Nov. 30 deadline to begin delivering the early version of the fleet of maritime helicopters because of an issue “outside of its control.” Sikorsky did not elaborate at the time. Rebecca Thompson, Ambrose’s spokeswoman, says the director general of the Public Works and Government Services Department will decide on Sikorsky’s appeal in February. The federal government originally ordered 28 Cyclones in 2004 with a delivery date of November 2008, but there have been delays in the more than $5-billion contract on at least two previous occasions ….”
• Canada’s Defence Minister dropping by Winnipeg to make an Air Force announcement, “in support of the Air Force’s role in the defence of Canada.”
• Big suicide bombing at Moscow airport, in the area where folks were waiting for loved ones to get off planes (i.e., no security to go through) – here’s what Canada’s PM had to say about it:  “…. “The use of violence against innocent people must never be tolerated and we condemn those responsible for this horrible act. On behalf of our Government and people of Canada, I extend my deepest condolences to the Russian people and, in particular, the families and friends of those killed and injured in this tragedy. The international community faces an ongoing threat of terrorism and must remain vigilant as we work together with our allies to prevent future attacks. “While there are no known Canadian casualties at this time, our embassy in Moscow will continue to monitor the situation closely.”