#MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 27, 2016

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Canadian military cutting loose soldiers without secure supports: ombudsman – Canada’s military ombudsman is calling on the armed forces to stop cutting loose ill and injured service members before they know what services and benefits the soldiers are getting from Veterans Affairs …” – “Watchdog urges reform to financial-support access for discharged soldiers” – “Military ombudsman rips dizzying delay in ex-soldier benefits” – “Joint Transition Project: Closing the Seam” (CF Ombudsman) – “Joint Transition Project – Closing The Seam” (Veterans Ombudsman)
• “Veterans struggling with mental health issues are receiving skills training and the support they need to obtain and retain employment … The Mood Disorders Society of Canada is receiving $2.9 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities for its Transitions to Communities program …” – “Liberals Give $2.9M Boost To Program Helping Veterans Find Work”

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “ISIS may strike Europe with car bomb & chemical attacks, warns EU counter-terrorism chief” – “Kerchove warns of IS attacks in Europe” – “ISIS are plotting wave of car bomb attacks across Europe, intelligence chiefs fear” – “EU Official Warns of Possible Use of Chemical Weapons by Daesh in Europe” – “#Terror attacks: Civil Liberties MEPs debate with Gilles de Kerchove”
• “Hack for Islamic State, Get 20 Years in the Slammer”
• “Decapitation…ISIS’ Tool to Spread Fear”

Libya

• “Un Canadien enlevé en Libye”
• “175 US air strikes against ISIS in Sirte since Aug 1” – “Drop in US airstrikes on Sirte”
• “EU to postpone Libyan coast guard training”
• “Reconciliation, Unity and Peace: Kobler’s Message to Libyans” (UN Department of Political Affairs)
• “New conflict between State Council and HoR”
• “LIA Recovers $127 Million from Lehman and Cornhill Capital”
• “West Supports Resumption of Libyan Oil Exports as Means to Fight ISIS” – “Libya September (Oil) Output Will Be 30% Lower”

Iraq

• “US expects more chemical attacks on its forces in Iraq”
• “Isis in Mosul: Recapturing the Islamic State stronghold in Iraq explained in 3 maps” – “The Battle for Mosul: Isis will fight to the last man to hold its greatest prize” – “Shiite militias: Abadi alone will decide who marches into Mosul” – “UNHCR’s Iraq chief: Lessons learned in Falluja should help Mosul”
• “Turkish warplanes hit PKK targets in the Qandil mountains of northern Iraq” – “Turkish warplanes hit PKK targets in northern Iraq”
• “Suicide blasts kill at least 10 in Baghdad’s Shia districts”
• “Iraq’s governing Shia-Kurdish alliance at risk after dismissal of Kurdish minister”
• “Iraqi FM could be Sacked”
• “Iraq to ‘Make Great Efforts’ to See Oil Prices Grow” – “Iraq ‘Optimistic’ About Oil Market Stabilization Agreement”
• “Iraq – Latest displacement influx (as of 25/09)” (European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office)

Syria

• “Canada: NDP Supporting “Terrorist-Linked” White Helmets for Nobel Prize is a Serious Mistake!” (Centre for Research on Globalization)
• “Map Update: Military Situation in Northern Aleppo on September 27, 2016” (southfront.org, pro-RUS OSINT) – “Massacre in Aleppo Leaves Medical NGO Pleading for No Fly Zones and Aid” (Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations) – “Horror Reaches New Highs In Aleppo As Russian-backed Government Targets Civilians, Aid Workers”
• “With Syria Truce Broken, Refugee Flows to Europe Seen Continuing” – “Syria says truce still viable after week of air strikes” – “Next Round of Syrian Peace Talks Could Be Last – Syrian Opposition Group” – “Total of 668 Settlements Have Joined Syrian Ceasefire – Russian Defense Ministry”
• “Russian Defence Ministry increases the number of online monitoring posts in the Syrian Arab Republic”
• “Russia Came to Rescue Just as Syria Was ‘Close to Falling in the Arms of Daesh’ “
• “Syrian Talks Revival Depends on West’s Ability to ‘Isolate’ al-Nusra Front”
• “Syria: An Option Remains” (Duck of Minerva)
• “Jbhat Fatah al Sham Field Commander Says US Provides Group With TOW Missiles” – “US Denies Providing Anti-Tank Missiles to Nusra Front”
• “Syrian Special Forces foil ISIS offensive in Deir Ezzor” – “Syrian Army and ISIS Clashing for Deir Ezzor’s Industrial District”
• “US ‘talked to ISIS’ ahead of airstrike on Syrian forces”
• “Jabhat Al-Nusra Joins US-backed Militants Attacking Government Forces in Northern Hama”
• “WFP Reaches Four Besieged Syrian Towns For First Time Since April” (World Food Programme)

Cold War 2.0

• Via the Pentagon Info-machine  “Force Command, and Lt. Gen. Stephen Bowes, commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, during their visit to Camp Adazi, Latvia September 24, 2016 …” – “U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Fredrick Benjamin Hodges, native of Quincy, Fla., Commanding General of United States Army Europe, Speaks with Lt. Gen. H. L. Domröse, commander of the Latvian Joint Force Command, and Lt. Gen. Stephen Bowes, commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, shortly after arriving to Camp Adazi, Latvia September 24, 2016 …” – “U.S. Army Europe Commander visits Soldiers at Camp Adazi in Latvia”
• “Canada and NATO: Key Outcomes from the Warsaw Summit” (Library of Parliament post/report)
• “Russia-NATO Update – Part I – September 2016” (MEMRI)
• “In Europe, a resurgent Russia, wary allies and a military mission to be defined”
• ‘Russian military base will soon appear on US borders”
• “Southern MD servicemen arrived in Pakistan to take part in Friendship-2016, first joint exercise” (RUS MoD) – “Russian soldiers at the opening exercises “Friendship-2016″ in Pakistan showed their weapons, equipment and mining equipment” (RUS MoD, in Russian)

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming/Canada Into Africa

• “Decision on House vote peacekeeping mission into Africa ‘putting the cart before the horse’: Defence minister”
• “Address by Minister Dion at the International Peace Institute and Independent Commission on Multilateralism ministerial breakfast, held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly” (Canada News Centre)
• “Canada is proud to support Colombia’s efforts to bring the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere to a peaceful end … Minister Dion announced $21 million in additional Canadian support for peace implementation in Colombia … The contribution announced today includes support for police reform, landmine clearance, human rights protection for conflict-affected communities, reintegration of former combatants, transitional justice and electoral observation during the October 2 national plebiscite …” – “Backgrounder – Support for peace implementation in Colombia”
• “Colombia peace deal shows power of mediation” (Ceasefire.ca)

Internal Security

• “NDP MP Randall Garrison introduces bill to repeal anti-terror Bill C-51” – “NDP introduces repeal of Bill C-51” (federal NDP statement)
• “10 Minute (ok, 15) Primer: Canadian Secrecy Law and National Security” (National Security Law Blog)

Way Up North

• “Nunavut shipwreck confirmed as Sir John Franklin’s HMS Terror” – “Nunavut shipwreck confirmed as Sir John Franklin’s HMS Terror” – “HMS Terror wreck: Inuit aboriginals and Canada to work out artifact ownership”
• “Braconnage : Ottawa veut éviter que l’Arctique ne devienne comme l’Afrique”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Grouping of Combined Arms Forces is deployed in the Barents Sea in the course of exercise held at the Northern Fleet” (RUS MoD) – “Joint tactical exercise held in the Arctic among the ships of the Northern and the Pacific Fleets” (RUS MoD)

What’s Canada Buying?

• “DRDC is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The partnership will provide up to 20 research supplements of $120,000 ($40,000 annually over three years) to support unclassified university-based research dedicated to the development of non-weapon-specific technologies with dual-use applications in defence and security areas …”
• “AZCAN to duplicate vehicles from Canada to Azerbaijan: CEO”

Other

• Fadi Mansour, R.I.P.  “34e Régiment du génie de combat: le capitaine Fadi Mansour retrouvé sans vie chez lui”
• “Un jeune de 17 ans arrêté à Saguenay pour avoir pointé un laser sur un CF-18”
• “CUTLASS FURY participants aid in Atlantic rescue”
• “Canadian Forces culture in desperate need of change”
• “Reservists’ summer training combines unique contributions, points of view: 5th Canadian Division”
• “Crown case against Afghan war hero collapses”
• “Bombs and biology: sustaining Canada’s largest military training area”

World War Two

• ” ‘A dead airman in Canada is just as dead as a dead airman in Europe’ “

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 26, 2016

#CANvsISIL

• Colonel Ted:  “Everyman (again) on the Middle East (again) — The “quality” press is full of interesting and useful; articles that try to help us make some sense of the situations (there are many) in the Middle East: The Economist reports on the unravelling of the ceasefire in Syria and on Saudi Arabia’s domestic problems with its own “game of thrones” …”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq”
• “US military removes Irish flag from anti-Isis website”
• “27 airstrikes target IS in Syria, Iraq”

Libya

• “Canada confirms citizen kidnapped in Libya, seeks more information” – “Canadian taken hostage in Libya” – “Canadian one of three people taken hostage in Libya” – “Libya’s recent kidnapping linked to Al-Qaeda”
• “Libya PM calls for national reconciliation in splintered country”
• “State Council plans to appoint new military and civil institution heads”
• “US, UK Diplomats Meet Libyan Militias to Restart Oil Exports”

The Kurds

• “Still no Canadian weapons for the Kurds – will the small arms ever be sent?”
• “Infographic: The cost of the war with ISIS — The war has cost the KRG $1 billion to date …”
• “Rojava: Syrian Kurdish Forces and IS Swap Prisoners”
• “American ambassador calls on Kurdish parties to work together to tackle issues”
• “Barzani suggests deadlock can end with division of posts: chief of staff”
• “Syrian Kurdish PYD party holds 8th congress in Brussels”

Iraq

• “RAF crews from Cyprus base target IS in Iraq” – “UK Warplanes Attacked by ISIS Surface-to-Air Missiles Over Iraq”
• “US military hits another Islamic State chemical weapons facility in Iraq”
• “In battle for Iraq’s Mosul, many forces with many motives” – “Iraqi PM Approves of Militias Participation in Mosul Offensive” – “Iraq Defense Ministry: Only Iraqi troops to participate in Mosul operations” – “Iraq denies presence of coalition forces in Mosul libration (sic.) operations”
• “(Iraq’s Shiite militias): ‘We Do Not Need America’s Support’ “ – “Top Shiite militia leader says Iraq’s partition will have ‘bloody outcome’ “
• “Iraq denies recognition to Houthi ‘council’ “

Syria

• “Russia Increased Air Grouping in Syria? Su-25SM Strike Aircraft Spotted in Latakia”
• “Syria will not relinquish a single inch of its territory: Bashar al-Jaafari”
• “A bloody end to another failed ceasefire in Syria” – “US, European allies call on Russia to save Syria truce” – “Syrian Ceasefire Failed ‘Because Some in Washington Wanted It to Fail’ “
• “Kuwait- OIC condemns ongoing bombing of civilian in Aleppo” – “Battle rages near Aleppo as deadly airstrikes continue”
• “Aid delivered to four besieged towns in Syria”
  

Syria/Refugees in Canada

• “Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet Syrian refugee family in Canada”
• Mo’ Peacekeeping/Into Africa?
• “Preventative military missions ‘not a bad idea,’ but hard to assess”
• “Colombian-Canadian crucial to peace deal between Colombia and FARC”
• “Canada’s African peacekeeping mission options”

Ukraine/Cold War 2.0

• From Various Info-machines  “Developing cohesive relationships is one of public affairs’ primary goals and that’s exactly what three multinational public affairs officers achieved Sept. 22 during a forum on military and media relations at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. The three Army officers from the U.S., Canada and Ukraine spent over an hour discussing the different aspects of their job with approximately 40 journalism students …”  – “The Mission At Hand — Training a Ukrainian platoon”
• “Russia Sends Aircraft Carrier to Eastern Mediterranean”
• “US Air Force Jets to Begin Policing Bulgarian Airspace in September”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Cost of Canadian naval base upgrade almost doubles – now $781 million”
• “Liberal government mulling long-overdue moves on military procurement file”
• F-35 Tug o’ War  Time’s running out for blaming past management …  “Harper government ‘messed up’ jet-replacement process, that’s why things are slow: Sajjan”
• Wanted:  “Boots, Winter, Unisex”
• Wanted:  Research into trying to detect chemical agents using light?  “Investigation of optical signals”

Internal Security

• “Too much talking, cellphone use, during federal ‘lockdown’ exercise, report says”
• “Canadian bomb threats are almost always hoaxes, but still take police time”
• “Several lessons for Canadians in Oliver Stone’s Snowden”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “While military commanders have pointed to an increase in criminal investigations as proof the fight against sexual misconduct is working, military justice officials admit they don’t know how many service members are ever actually convicted …”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “EDITORIAL: Our injured vets deserve better”
• Colonel Ted on Team Red’s Promise to Vets  “Masters of cynicism, inactivity and selfies”
• “The Mood Disorder Society of Canada is out to make sure veterans are appreciated all year round and just not on Remembrance Day. The organization focuses on the veterans and helps them overcome some of the challenges that they face as they transition into civilian life. The team is still being assembled for a new program called Transitions in to Communities for Veterans …”
• “Canadians recognized (in Toronto) for their dedication to Veterans”
• “The Honorable Kent Hehr will announce support for veterans facing employment barriers”

Other

• Nathan Cirillo, R.I.P.  “Inaugural canoe kayak challenge to pay tribute to slain military sentry”
• Colonel Ted on Someplace the Royal Canadian Navy Should Go  “… I believe that Canada should start deploying, annually, one or two of our small, lightly armed ~ very non-threatening ~ Kingston class warships into the South China Sea each year … to support, especially, the Philippines …”
• “How to Drag the Canadian Forces into the Twenty-First Century”
• ” Military personnel and Defence department employees get a free pass for Ashley Madison contacts”
• “New 39 Canadian Brigade Group headquarters officially opens”

Afghanistan

• “Canadian Afghan Vets Recognized with First National LAV III Monuments on Highway of Heroes” – “New monument in Bowmanville, Ont. honours Canadian soldiers” – “LAVs now memorials to Canadians who served in Afghanistan”

World War Two

• ” ‘It symbolizes gratitude’: Dutch delegation gives bell, honours Alberta regiment’s role in WW2″

World War One

• “Feds must highlight Vimy’s 100th: MacKay”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 24, 2016

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• “Canada’s peacekeeping plan not politically motivated, says top general — Jonathan Vance says he would never put troops in harms way to win UN Security Council seat …”
• “Building peace in Colombia may be more challenging than 50 years of war”

Phillipines/Kidnapping

• “Sister of Robert Hall, killed Canadian hostage, says government did little to save him” – Army.ca Discussion (DISCLOSURE:  I’m a moderator @ Army.ca)

Internal Security

• ” ‘Shady, secretive system’: Public Safety green-lit RCMP, CSIS spying devices, documents reveal”
• “Quantum computing will cripple encryption methods within decade, CSE chief warns”
• “Liberals should tighten rules against torture: Editorial”

Cold War 2.0

• “To Counter Russian Disinformation, Look to Cold War Tactics”

What’s Canada Buying (or Selling)?

• “Commons committee to scrutinize arms export controls”
• If only a previous majority government keen on looking pro-military could have done it quicker … “Kenny: Canada needs to boost military spending — and replace its aging CF-18s”
• “DND announces first major tender for CFB Esquimalt harbour infrastructure” – “Esquimalt Harbour Recapitalization and Remediation Projects”
• “Ottawa’s Calian renews $15M military education contract”
• Trauma Research (1)  “The Department of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) has a requirement for medical support in experimental and digital traumatology and injury analysis …”
• Trauma Research (2)  “MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY BLAST-INDUCED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY … Defence Research & Development Canada Suffield Research Centre (DRDC Suffield) has recently initiated a blast injury program with a major focus on primary blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). Work is being carried out on a rodent model of TBI, as well as an ex vivo model system. Novel instrumentation is used to expose these model systems to single pulse shock waves, enabling the investigation of their effect on brain tissue, separate from concussive and acceleration/deceleration forces. There is a requirement to comprehensively characterize these effects at a molecular level in order to understand the etiology of the injury aswell as to rationally develop medical countermeasures …”
• “Navy Crew Automation Study … Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), Toronto, Ontario, has a requirement for a Navy Crew Automation Study. Specifically, DRDC is investigating the impact of automation on crew performance, as part of a multi-yearresearch project on crewing and human factors for the Navy …” – Statement of Work (PDF)

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Canadian veterans are being asked to be patient when it comes to the re-establishment of their lifelong pension …” – “Veterans Affairs Minister provides update on Department’s accomplishments while meeting new staff” (Canada News Centre)
• “A second chance for Canada’s veterans”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Those responsible for charging and prosecuting military sex offenders and other criminals in uniform are urging what some consider to be long overdue improvements to the rights of victims in the military justice system …”
• “Alberta army captain faces 22 criminal charges, including several counts of sexual assault”
• “A sergeant in the Canadian Forces stationed in Trenton has been found guilty of arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child in addition to charges of possessing and making child pornography. …”

Way Up North

• “Junior Canadian Rangers Ignore The Polar Bears And Have Fun”

Other

• “Royal Canadian Navy concludes successful anti-submarine warfare drills in St. John’s” – “NATO Warships Conduct Submarine Warfare Exercise in Canada – Royal Navy”
• “Canadian Army Soldiers Practice Armoured Combat Skills during Exercise STEELE SABRE 2016”
• From the CF Ombudsman  “Reserve Force and Regular Force Transition Process” – “Opening Remarks: Senate Committee – National Security and Defence” (20 Sept 2016)
• “Law to make it easier to sue DND and for soldiers to file grievances passed in 2013, ignored since then”
• “Bombs and biology: sustaining Canada’s largest military training area”
• Colonel Ted on that OTHER Military Comms  “The cost of government propaganda … One of the communications teams that was singled out for lots of overtime was DND’s … I wonder what military operations or new equipment purchases they were explaining …”
• “Roadies of the sky”
• “Minister Sajjan to attend official opening of new 39 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters in Vancouver (today)”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 21, 2016

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Veterans Ombudsman recommends improved compensation for pain and suffering” – “Fair Compensation To Veterans And Their Survivors For Pain And Suffering” (Veterans Ombudsman) – “Improvements needed in compensation for veterans, says Ombudsman”
• “Opening Remarks: Senate Committee – National Security and Defence” (CF Ombudsman)
• ” ‘Antiquated’ rules mean soldiers with PTSD denied tax break for service dogs”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• “Poorly-trained reservists may endanger peacekeeping missions, Auditor-General warns” – Spring 2016 OAG Report: “Canadian Army Reserve—National Defence”
• “Liberals ponder sending peacekeepers to Colombia” – “Stéphane Dion to attend historic peace signing in Colombia” – “Address by Minister Dion about the Global Demining Initiative for Colombia on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly”
• “Grim news casts shadow over UN refugee conference attended by Trudeau” – “Trudeau makes 1st major speech at UN as Canada bids for Security Council seat” – “The Government of Canada lays the foundations of a more inclusive Canada and world at the United Nations” (Info-machine) – “Can Justin Trudeau Use the UN to Rebrand Canadian Foreign Policy?” – Backgrounder:  “Canada provides significant support following UN meeting on refugees and migrants”

#CANvsISIL

• “French translation a hurdle in Defence department’s first attempt to change Islamic State name”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Nine times more UK airstrikes in Iraq than Syria”
• “Britain may need deal with Russia or Syrian dictator Assad to finish war on ISIS, MPs warn”

Syria

• “Canadian aid workers ‘outraged’ by attack on humanitarian convoy in Syria”
• “Russian aircraft believed to hit Syria convoy, US officials say” – “Russian Airstrikes in Syria: Pre- and Post Cessation of Hostilities” (ISW) – “The US has ‘evidence’ that Russian airstrikes hit an aid convoy in Syria” – “Russia, Syria did not deliver strikes on UN aid convoy near Aleppo — (RUS def) ministry” – “Footage: Destroyed ‘Humanitarian Convoy’ in Aleppo Was Embeded with Terrorist Forces” – “UN Removes Charges Against Russia & Syria Regarding Air Strike on Humanitarian Convoy in Syria”
• “Kremlin sees little hope for restoring ceasefire in Syria” – “Ceasefire still on table after reassuring Syria Support Group meeting at UN” – “Syria Ceasefire ‘Still Possible’ in Spite of Recent Setbacks” – “U.S., Russia try to save cease-fire in Syria”
• “Syrian Opposition Faces Unilateral Options after Collapse of Ceasefire”
• “Syria : Finding opportunity in a post-ceasefire crisis”
• “Syria’s Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham backs Turkish offensive against ISIS and Kurds”
• “New Syria airstrike kills French aid agency medics” – “Airstrike on medical facility in Syria kills at least 4 staff members”
• “Amal Clooney wants to prosecute Syria’s president for war crimes”

Iraq

• “Canada Increasing Iraq Assistance Ahead of Mosul”
• “ISIS Leader al-Baghdadi Shows Up in Mosul, Iraq” – “Iraq Launches Operation to Regain Town Near Mosul From ISIS” – “US forces nearly ready to help Iraq push to retake Mosul” – “Iraqi forces close in on town south of Mosul”
• “Iraqi forces capture Haditha island from ISIL” – “Iraqi Army liberates key village from ISIS”
• “Turkish Jets Kill 4 PKK Gunmen in Northern Iraq”
• “(UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed pledges support for Iraq”

Libya

• “Italians, Canadian abducted in Libya, North Koreans freed” – “Two Italians, one Canadian abducted in Libya” – “Kidnappers of Canadian, two Italians in Libya known locally, official says” – “Kidnappers of Libya Italians ‘known’ “ –  More on this via Google News
• “At lest 9 killed, 20 injured in reported Libya airstrike”
• “Libya Oil Port Ships First Cargo Since 2014 as Fighting Ebbs” – “Libya exports first oil cargo from Ras Lanuf since 2014-port manager” – “Libya exports first shipment of oil for two years”
• “Militias Loyal to Sarraj Government Seek Air Embargo on Oil Crescent”

The Kurds

• “Obama Administration Considers Arming Syrian Kurds Against ISIS”
• “Kurds hold population census to pave way for vote”
• “Turkey’s HDP head in Kurdistan on mission to promote Kurdish unity”
• “Sweden to get Kurdish oil after two-year gap”

Cold War 2.0/Way Up North

• “Russia’s Northern Fleet begins large scale drills involving combat ships, subs, aircraft”

Internal Security

• “Ministerial directive on use of evidence obtained from torture still on books”
• “CSIS Director statement regarding meeting with Director Comey of FBI”
• “Canada’s Security & Intelligence Community after 9/11: Key Challenges and Conundrums”

What’s Canada Buying?

• F-35 Tug o’ War  “Liberals Hijacked Defence Report Calling For New Fighter Jets: Tories, NDP”  – “Liberals accused of hijacking report recommending new jets in 12 months” – “CANADA AND THE DEFENCE OF NORTH AMERICA: NORAD AND AERIAL READINESS” (100 pg PDF) – “Tory defence critic urges Liberals to buy new fighter jet within the next year”
• Colonel Ted’s Take  “More on replacing the CF-18s”
• “Calian Wins Renewal of a DND e-Learning Contract Valued at $15 Million”
• “CH-148 Cyclone: une capacité opérationnelle de déploiement en avril 2018”
• Wanted:  “TICK BORNE ENCEPHALITIS VACCINE — The Department of National Defence has a requirement for tick borne encephalitis vaccine to be delivered to the Central Medical Equipment Depot in Petawawa, Ontario Canada … Firm Quantity: Sufficient doses to vaccinate 1,500 adults on an accelerated dosing schedule.  Option Quantity: Sufficient doses to vaccinate up to 4,000 adults on an accelerated dosing schedule over the next 2 years …”

Other

• “Le Briefing avec Harjit Sajjan, ministre de la Défense nationale” (Interview video in English w/French subtitles)
• “RCAF officer takes “top shot” at small arms competition”
• “30 ways the Canadian government failed Omar Khadr”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 20, 2016

#CANvsISIL

• “WELLS: General cautious about progress against Daesh”
• “ISIL, ISIS or Daesh? Ottawa’s past efforts to change its term for terrorist group plagued by confusion” – “ISIS or Daesh. Why Does it Matter What We Call Them?”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Libya

• “Global Affairs ‘aware’ of unconfirmed report Canadian kidnapped in Libya” – “…a statement by the media office of Ghat municipality said that foreign engineers, who worked for construction company CON.I.COS, were abducted by unidentified assailants on the road linking Tahala and Ghat early in the morning. It gave their names as Italians Bruno Cacace and Danilo Calonego, and a Canadian identified only as Frank …” – More on this via Google News

Syria

• “Syria: UN/SARC (aid) convoy hit in Urum al-Kubra, northwest of Aleppo city” (UN OCHA) – “UN halts all convoys in Syria after attack on aid trucks” – “UN suspends all Syria aid after convoy bombed” – “Syria conflict: UN suspends all aid after convoy hit”
• “Syria Cease-Fire Falters as International Support Group Meets for Crisis Talks”
• “Syrian ceasefire: Is it all over?”
• “Kremlin Names Conditions to Resume Syrian Ceasefire”
• “Turkey Raises Flags at Syrian Border After US Flags Appear in Kurdish-Held City”
• “Erdogan plans Syrian ‘safe zone’ as military campaign widens”

Syria/Refugees in Canada

• “Trudeau tells UN conference: Canada not finished helping Syrian refugees” – “Prime Minister announces significant support following UN meeting on refugees and migrants” – “Address by Minister Dion at a round table on human security for refugees, migrants and host communities on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly”

Iraq

• “Iraq Situation Report: September 7-19, 2016” (ISW)
• ” ‘Islamic State’ leaves troubled legacy in Iraq”
• “A New Governorate For The Nineveh Plain, And Beyond” (MEMRI)
• ” ‘Logistic Support’: 100s of US Troops Arrive in Iraq Ahead of Attack on Mosul”
• “Isis in Iraq: PM Haider al-Abadi announces operation to liberate Shirqat, south of Mosul” – “Iraq begins offensive to recapture town of Shargat from ISIS” – “Iraq begins offensive to recapture town of Shargat from ISIS” – “Iraq PM announces offensive to retake Daesh bastion”
• “(TUR) Military kills 9 PKK terrorists in anti-terror ops in northern Iraq, Hakkari province” – “Turkish jets kill 4 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq” –  “5 PKK terrorists neutralized in Turkish artillery fire”
• “Racing against the Clock, Humanitarians in Iraq Need Additional Funding” (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)

The Kurds

• “British MPs urge full UK Consul-General in Erbil”
• “Haze around Turkey and the Kurds”
• “Kurds are paying the price of the post-coup crackdown”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• DefMin’s answer to Tory question in the House about why no word of a vote on any upcoming “peacekeeping” mission:   “… we can be proud of our men and women who have served all over the world in previous missions, and even now. However, a lot of work needs to be done for peace operations. We are going to be going in with eyes wide open, making sure that we have all the necessary information to allow the military to do its work, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of International Development. We will make sure that we have all the right information. We need to be able to get a full analysis. Once we have better information, we will be presenting this to Canadians, as we have done, moving forward. A lot of work needs to be done, and I look forward to the healthy debate once we have all the necessary information.”
• “Ambrose suggests UN Security Council seat is motivating the peacekeeping mission” – “Rona Ambrose accuses PM Trudeau of using military as pawns”
• “Roméo Dallaire criticizes UN, but says peacekeeping in Canada’s interests”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  Digitally Aided Close Air Support System  “REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: TO ESTABLISH A CONTRACT FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF DIGITALLY AIDED CLOSE AIR SUPPORT SYSTEM (DACAS) SYSTEMS, SPARE PARTS AND IN-SERVICE SUPPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE …” – Specs & Statement of Work from bid package
• “The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for a Search and Rescue Director to provide contractual support at 426 Squadron, located at 8 Wing Trenton, Trenton, Ontario. The contractor will conduct and administer ground, simulator and flying instructional functions for CC130H aircrew who will be employed in Search and Rescue (SAR) activities …”
• F-35 Tug o’ War  “CDA Institute releases “behind-the-scenes” F-35 report “ – “Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has enjoyed remarkably strong opinion poll numbers since winning power in last October’s election but now faces tough decisions that could dent his popularity … The Liberals will also announce whether they intend to break a pledge to launch a competition for fighter jets. Talk inside military circles is that Ottawa could announce a sole-source contract …”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• FB post suggests federal defence, health and VA ministers setting up committee to study effects of mefloquine?
• “Ottawa’s bureaucracy just can’t help harming veterans”
• Message from CF Ombudsman:  “Medically releasing from the Canadian Armed Forces is complicated. The burden has taken its toll on members transitioning from military to civilian life, and their families …”
• “What the Liberals give, bureaucrats can take away. On October 1, Liberal campaign promises to improve the lives of veterans begin to take effect. All that flashy political and bureaucratic rhetoric however has a dark underbelly …”

Internal Security

• “Canada security agencies helped Syria in torture cases: documents” – “Ministerial directive on use of evidence obtained from torture still on books” – “TV report claims Canada cooperated with Syria military intelligence”
• Lux Ex Umbra blog on offensive cyberwar

Way Up North

• “Canada celebrates 20th anniversary of Arctic Council”

Other

• “Canadian Navy flies gay ‘Pride’ flag – and this Christian sailor isn’t happy, at all”
• “Canadian and Australian J-model Herc crews train together near Bondi Beach (Australia)”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 19, 2016

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “ISIS takes responsibility for mass stabbing at Minnesota mall” – “Islamic State takes credit for Minnesota mall stabbing”
• “First ISIS-Al Qaeda cooperation for US bombings”
  
• “What Politicians Don’t Get About the Islamic State”
• Is Islamic State Losing Ground But Winning the War of Ideas?
• “Ridiculous to say US created IS: US official” – An Alternate (and Readable) View

Syria

• “Russian Airstrikes in Syria: July 28 – August 29, 2016”
• “U.S. military commanders are ‘pissed off’ about the mission creep in Syria”
• “Syria’s 7-day grace period ends with no aid and cease-fire in tatters” – “Syria Truce Hangs in the Balance Amid Attacks, Lack of Aid”
• “Syria truce violations risk US-Russia action against jihadis”
• “Aleppo aid stuck as Syria truce ends”
• “UN ‘Pained and Disappointed’ at Lack of Syria Aid Deliveries”
• “US-Russia Brokerage: What does the Current Ceasefire in Syria mean?”
• “Autocrats against Rebels against Terrorists: The Difficulty of Creating Peace in Syria”
• TUR into SYR  “Turkey-backed rebels could push further south in Syria, Erdogan says” – “Syria’s Conflict: Managing Turkey’s Intervention” – “Turkish president announces new push on Syria IS stronghold” – “Turkey Says FSA could Push further South as Police Detain 40 Foreigners Suspected of ISIS Links” – “Turkey vs Syrian Kurds: ‘Race Between the Two Parties Where Clear Winner is US’ “
• “US-led Coalition Airstrike Accidentally Hits Syrian Government Troops” – “Australia Expresses Regret Over Botched Syrian Airstrikes”
• “US-backed ‘Moderate Oppositioneers’ Execute 26 Civilians Attempting to Leave Aleppo City”
• “What Now for Syria?”
• “Red Team: Regime Counterinsurgency in Syria” (Small Wars Journal)

Syria/Refugees in Canada

• “Bringing a Syrian refugee family to Petawawa”

Iraq

• “Obama, Iraqi leader to strategize on fight to reclaim Mosul”
• TUR into IRQ  “Baghdad against Turkey’s uncoordinated operations in Iraq” – “Baghdad ‘rejects’ Turkish armed forces in Iraq” – “Iraqi FM rejects Turkish operations in Iraq” – “Presence of Turkish troops hampers Mosul liberation: Iraq” – “Baghdad Warns Turkey Again to Withdraw Troops from Iraq”

Libya

• “Harper government partly to blame for botched Libyan intervention”
• “Libyan troops in renewed push against ISIS” – “Libyan forces renew push against Islamic State in Sirte”
• “Oil prices up on Libya unrest, hopes for output deal” – “Oil Prices Rise on Libya Unrest” – “Tanker withdraws as Libyan port attacked” – “Libya says attacks on 2 key oil terminals repelled”

The Kurds

• “Report indicates KRG oil revenue in September could meet salary payments”
• “History has taught Kurds they need power to win: Demirtas”
• “Syrian HNC opposition leader calls Kurds ‘terrorists’ “ – “Syrian opposition leader calls Kurds “terrorists” “
• “Turkish Jets Bomb Areas of Kurdistan Region, Targeting PKK”

Cold War 2.0

• “Canadian-led NATO force in Latvia taking shape” – “NATO troops taking shape” – “NATO’s Canadian -led battle group beginning to take shape in Latvia”
• “NATO jets scramble to intercept Russian warplane over Baltics”
• “Inside the “Ministry of Truth” ” (EU Disinformation Digest)
• “Russians take to the polls for parliamentary elections” – “Russians head to polls in parliamentary elections”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?/Canada Into Africa?

• “Conservatives to push Liberals to better define UN mission”
• “Trudeau heads to UN with potentially dangerous African mission still undefined”
• “Canada’s military role debated at Edmonton symposium as overseas missions loom”
• “Saideman’s Semi-Spew: The Next Canadian Deployment: Asking the Right Questions in the Wrong Order”
• “Canada belongs in Haiti”

Great White North

• “Northerners consider new cruise ship rules after giant vessel’s voyage”
• “Less ice, more ship traffic prompts Arctic marine safety review”
• “The North and the great Canadian lie”

Internal Security

• “Documents show CSIS and RCMP’s role in post-9/11 torture of 3 Canadians in Syria”
• “Is Canada prepared for the threat from state-sponsored hackers?”
• “Eyes on this border crossing are 700 kilometres away”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  Information on what the CAF needs in an armoured sport utility vehicle  “The Department of Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is launching a Request for Information (RFI) in order to seek information and feedback from suppliers and the industry with regard to the standing offer for armoured sport utility vehicles for the Department of National Defence (DND) …” – more in specs document here
  
• “MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates has announced that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has awarded MDA a contract valued at approximately CA$9 million, if options are fully exercised …”
• F-35 Tug o’ War “Vimy Paper: The F-35 Program, Defence Procurement, and the CF-18 Replacement Debacle “ – “A cautionary tale for Canada? Boeing preps legal challenge after Denmark rejects Super Hornet for F-35” – “Boeing Challenges Denmark for Buying F-35 Jet Instead of F-18 Super Hornet” – “Boeing Petitions Denmark to Please Buy Some Super Hornets Instead of the F-35” – “Guess who’s grounded again? The answer will (not) surprise you! “
• Big Honkin’ Ships  Colonel Ted’s take  “Ships, again (2)”

Other

• “Le caporal Dany Boucher est recherché par la Police Militaire”
• “Canadian Army honours the memory of Corporal Justin Stark at memorial service” (Canada News Centre) – Army.ca thread (DISCLOSURE:  I’m a moderator @ Army.ca)
• “RMC Saint-Jean Returns to University Status “
• “Lieutenant-General Whitecross Selected as Commandant of NATO Defense College” (Canada News Centre)
• “Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration Concludes” (Canada News Centre) – “Tactical close-fire and endurance events spotlighted at Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration 2016” (Army info-machine) – “Top marksmen named at Canadian military’s small arms competition”
• “Exercise COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT: A Demonstration of Strong, Proud, and Ready” (Canada News Centre) – “RCAF Squadrons fly to Yellowknife for Search and Rescue Exercise”
• “More than 23000 people participate in Canada Army Run” – “Thousands take part in annual Army Run through city streets”
• More Col. Ted (blunt) commentary on the State of Canada’s Military  “A Canadian Potemkin Village”
• “Treats for Troops collection (in Peterborough ON) begins Friday”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Veterans officials highlighted cons, few pros on medical marijuana”
• “Mapping red tape for wounded, sick” – “Ombudsman maps transition system for ill, injured troops” – Ombudsman Message (13 Sept 2016):  “Determining Service Attribution for medically releasing members”

World War Two

• “RCAF marks 76th anniversary of the Battle of Britain” – “Royal Canadian Air Force Marks the 76th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain” – “Battle of Britain veterans honoured at ceremony”– “Check Six! The Battle of Britain in hindsight” – “Ministers Sajjan and Hehr mark the 76th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain” – “L’Aviation royale canadienne souligne le 76e anniversaire de la bataille d’Angleterre”
• “Charles Henry Byce honoured with bronze statue in Chapleau, Ont.” – “Indigenous WWII veteran immortalized with statue in Chapleau”– “Indigenous WWII veteran immortalized with statue in Chapleau” – “Charles Henry Byce honoured with bronze statue in Chapleau, Ont.” – “Decorated by Destiny – Native Soldiers – Foreign Battlefields” (VAC backgrounder)

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 15, 2016

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Russian diplomat says global anti-terrorist coalition may be set up soon”

Libya

• “Canada took part in secret operation to destroy Libyan chemical weapons”
• “235000 Libyan migrants ready to head to Italy: UN”
• “Libya’s NOC lifts force majeure at eastern ports, exports to resume” – “Libya oil firm vows to restart exports after battle for terminals” – “Tanker docks at Libya’s Ras Lanuf oil port, Nafoura output resumes”

Syria

• “Turkish, Russian military chiefs to meet on Syria”
• “Military forces vilolate truce regime 17 times during 17 hours in Syria”
• Stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllll (generally) holding … “In long and bloody Syria war, this truce may be different” – “New details of Syria ceasefire deal outlined” – “France says needs details of US-Russia Syria deal” – “Secrecy over parts of US-Russia deal on Syria worries opposition” – “Fight Against ISIS Is Not Included in List of Agreements Between Russia & US on Syria” – “Aligned With Russia in Syria, Pentagon Awkwardly Treads on New Terrain” –  “Pentagon: Russia & US Did Not Discuss Joint Military Operations in Syria” – “The Syrian cease-fire could have a victor the US didn’t intend”
• “Syria truce holding but aid hasn’t reached Aleppo yet” – “Syrians still awaiting humanitarian aid despite ceasefire extension” – “Syria Aid Deliveries Stall on Border” – “UN Hopes to Deliver Humanitarian Aid to E. Aleppo on Sept.16”
• “Russian air forces kill 250 ISIS militants preparing assault on Palmyra”
• “Why Syria’s war is concentrated in the north”

Iraq

• “Gunmen assassinate ISIS spokesman in Mosul”
• “US official says IS has lost half its territory in Iraq”
• “ISIS has lost half of its territory in Iraq , says US”
• “Persian Gulf rulers promoting Takfiri ideologies: Iraqi official”
• “A bipartisan resolution was introduced in the US House of Representatives in support of the creation of a safe haven for persecuted religious minorities in the Nineveh Plain region of Iraq, according to the Philos Project, an advocacy group promoting Christian engagement in the Middle East …”

The Kurds

• “Political Accusations Fly in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region”

Internal Security

• “Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan is considering a request to give First Nations the power to directly call in the military when their treaty, environmental and other rights are threatened …” – “Minister Sajjan Meets with Indigenous Leaders and Experts as Part of Defence Policy Review”
• “As a ‘matter of principle,’ convicted terrorists are fellow citizens”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• “Harjit Sajjan’s new peacekeeping is ‘force if needed’ “

Canada Into Africa?

• “A Canadian peacekeeping mission in Mali could be most dangerous choice:”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Military faces challenge in push to hire hundreds of new procurement staff”
• Wanted:  Someone to help the CAF get stuff wherever it needs to get  “The Department of National Defence (DND) moves materiel and personnel domestically and internationally on an as required basis to support operations. DND accomplishes this task primarily through its own means but also contracts directly with Industry for the movement of personnel and cargo by airlift, and cargo by sea charter or freight forwarding for some multi-modal movements. To contract for transportation requirements that arise, DND maintains multiple Source Lists of pre-qualified service providers and brokers …”
• Wanted:  Someone to do research into exactly how and how much small arms hurt people  “Test, analysis and development services in the field of injury biomechanics and small arms” – Statement of Work from bid documents (PDF)
• Wanted:  Someone to figure out how clustered sensors hear things underwater  “Clustering Techniques for Autonomous Detection of Underwater Acoustic Signals — The Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada has a requirement on behalf of Department of NationalDefence (Defence Research & Development Canada / Atlantic Research Centre ) for Clustering Techniques for Autonomous detection of Underwater Acoustic Signals in deployed sensors …”
• “Canadian company accused of ‘knowingly’ breaking Sudan arms embargo”

Cold War 2.0

• “Europe Rediscovers the Military Draft “
• “Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces told journalists about the preliminary results of the strategic command-and-staff exercise “Caucasus-2016” “ (RUS MoD)
• “Battalion tactical exercise has started among units of the Coastal Troops of the Baltic Fleet” (RUS MoD)
• “Interior Minister: Finland to discontinue temporary border policy with Russia”
• “Report: Defence cooperation with Finland would increase risks for Sweden”
• “FIIA chief: Sweden wary of Finnish defense cooperation but agreed on view of Russia”

Way Up North

• “Last piece of the Franklin Expedition potentially discovered in the Canadian Arctic – Canada News Centre”
• “The glorious delusion of the Northwest Passage”
• “Putin prepares for Arctic visit”
• “Arctic sea ice nears its minimum extent for the year”
• ” ‘Super Warm’: Arctic Nano-Boots Designed in Russia”
• “Russian Helicopters to Showcase Arctic-Ready Mi-8AMTSh-VA at Army-2016”

Other

• “Décès d’une recrue à l’École de leadership et de recrues des Forces canadiennes”
• Justin Stark, R.I.P.  “Mom who was sent 1 cent after soldier son’s suicide getting Memorial Cross”
• “9 Canadian soldiers injured in training accident at CFB Gagetown” – “9 hurt in military training” – “9 soldiers released from medical care after training accident at Gagetown” – “Neuf soldats blessés dans un accident lors d’un entraînement à la base militaire de Gagetown”
• “Military exercise Cutlass Fury underway off Atlantic coast” – “Massive submarine war games launched off Nova Scotia coast”
• “New naval security team will enhance force protection”
• “Change Islands native Joan Klein serving with Canadian Armed Forces in the Mediterranean”
• “Juno, the Canadian Army Mascot, revitalized and ready to rumble at your event”

World War Two

• “Canadian Second World War Soldier Laid to Rest by His Unit”
• “Battle of Britain profile of courage: Otto John Peterson”

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