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.”

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 8 Jul 11

• Afghanistan (1)  The “Combat Mission is Over – Officially, Signed-off Over” story array, as covered by the Associated Press, The Canadian Press, Postmedia News/Global TV (more), the National Post, QMI/Sun Media (more), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and The Telegraph (UK).
• Afghanistan (2)  Funny how this wasn’t making it into the media earlier – pity.  “Lt. Mahmoud Siddiqi clearly didn’t get the official memo. Which goes something like this: All fine here in Panjwaii District, nothing to fear, we’ve got a handle on it, and safe trip home Kanadjans. Instead, sitting cross-legged in his exceptionally neat officer’s quarters — brass teakettle on the portable stove, plastic flowers in a vase, handwoven Afghan rugs spread across the floor — he says this: “If foreigners don’t help us, we’re doomed.’’ His naturally hangdog face droops further as Siddiqi contemplates a post-Canadian Panjwaii — Maple Leaf disappearing, Stars and Stripes flying instead at this forward operating base ….”
• Afghanistan (3)  An overview of some of the numbers. “Canada’s combat role in Kandahar ended Thursday with a death toll of 154 men and three women soldiers, and four Canadian civilians. About 25,000 Canadian soldiers, sailors and air personnel have served in Afghanistan in groups of between 2,500 and nearly 4,000 troops at a time, doing tours of between six months and year. A new training mission that will eventually number 950 advisers and training staff began two months ago in Kabul. All but a handful of the Canadians to have been killed in Afghanistan died in Kandahar. Of the 157 military deaths, 137 were combat casualties. The other 20 died in what the military describes as “non-hostile incidents.” ….”
• Afghanistan:  Canada’s Legacy (1)  MORE second guessing Canada’s legacy:  “On Thursday, in the wake of the deaths of 157 brave Canadian soldiers and the wounding of hundreds more, the U.S. Army officially took over Canada’s battle space in Kandahar. Ours was a job well done, and it is now farewell ….”
• Afghanistan:  Canada’s Legacy (2)  “On Tuesday, Canada officially ended its combat mission in Afghanistan. It should never have started. The war has been a dismal failure. It did not achieve its primary aim of capturing or killing terror chief Osama Bin Laden. A U.S. assassination squad operating in Pakistan finally did that. Nor has it defeated the Taliban. As Canadian and other NATO-led troops prepare for their final 2014 withdrawal, the insurgents remain dangerous, active and unbowed. They will almost certainly be playing a role in government again — probably soon ….”
• Afghanistan:  Canada’s Legacy (3)  “…. on balance, was the Afghanistan mission a success? I’d argue it made the army better, gave it confidence, and it won respect for Canada among nations of the world that matter. So Canadian lives lost were not in vain, and indeed did their country proud.”
• Afghanistan:  Canada’s Legacy (4)  “…. You can’t guarantee any military mission will unfold seamlessly, scoring victory after victory as it marches relentlessly towards success. But in cases that deserve it, and which demand a response, you can, and should, try. Which is what Canada did, and we should all be proud we did.”
• Afghanistan:  Canada’s Legacy (5)  Someone finally gets it right about Canada’s legacy.  “Was Canada’s war in Afghanistan worth it? It is an obvious question as Canada formally signs away its combat responsibilities in Kandahar to a U.S. task force Thursday morning. But this is surely a matter that will be far better answered by historians in 20 or 30 years than by anyone today, no matter how familiar they are with this beguiling, frustrating, immensely complicated country and Canada’s efforts since its first infantrymen set foot here nine years and five months ago ….”
• So, what’s next for the CF, glass is half empty version?  “With the Kandahar killing fields now officially clear of Canadian soldiers, a daunting military challenge lies ahead. The new enemy is boot camp boredom, the recalibrated target is surplus staffing, the likely result is the return to a military funding decade of semi-darkness. Now in the post-Afghanistan era, Canada’s armed forces have lost their mojo — and that’s a very dangerous dangle in front of a government looking for easy deficit elimination routes. In short, no bullets flying, no big bucks flowing ….”
• One former officer’s take on “peacekeeping”:  “…. The time has come to close the book on peacekeeping in Canada. We should render appreciation and thanks to those who have served, but now get on with dealing with new realities. Current operations in Libya are one example of the latter. Rather than peacekeepers, Canada and its allies are applying combat power to defeat a tyrant who has oppressed his people. It is that type of fight – for justice and liberty – that we should commemorate, and continue.”
• Libya Mission:  HMCS Vancouver on its way downrange to Libya.
• CDS says he’s not going anywhere, even if a top NATO job is opening up soon.  “…. Gen. Walter Natynczyk was named chief of defence staff by Prime Minister Stephen Harper three years ago. The appointment usually lasts about three years and Natynczyk has just recently celebrated his third anniversary. “The mandate of the chief of defence staff isn’t codified,” he said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “As I look through the rogue’s gallery for chiefs of defence, one went nine years and another went five. Rick Hillier went 3 1/2. “I will go as long as the government of Canada asks me to serve.” Natynczyk said one of his main goals right now, with the end of Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan, is to make sure he continues to improve conditions for every soldier under his command. There has been speculation that Natynczyk could be in line to become NATO’s top military commander. There will be a vacancy next year when Italian Admiral Giampaolo di Paolo steps down as chairman of the NATO Military Committee. “My name’s not in the hat. I know that some of my colleagues have tried to recruit me to throw my name in the hat, but, again, I serve at the pleasure of the country,” Natynczyk said ….”
• CF helping evacuate sick, elderly from remote northern Ontario First Nation – more here.
• Journalists-in-training help the CF by printing faux papers, propaganda sheets as part of exercise (via CF Info-Machine).
• Condolences to family, colleagues and friends (1)  “Police on Tuesday found the body of a military officer from CFB Kingston who went missing during an early morning swim in Lac Saint Laurent near Gatineau, Que. Maj. Damon Murray, a member of 1 Wing Headquarters at CFB Kingston, was reported missing on July 4. He had set out for an early morning swim that day and never returned ….”
• Condolences to family, colleagues and friends (2)  “Friends and fellow soldiers were remembering Trooper Troy Barnes Thursday praising a young life suddenly cut too short. Flags were half-mast outside the regimental headquarters of the Royal Canadian Dragoons as the 24-year-old armoured soldier was being remembered by his commanding officer as a “big, burly likable man” who will be sorely missed by his comrades. “He was a quiet, inquisitive fellow,” remarked Lt.-Col. Dyrald Cross, who had just returned from meeting with the trooper’s family. Trooper Barnes’ sudden death earlier this week shocked the unit. On Tuesday, his armoured troop went over to Dundonald Hall for an afternoon game of beach volleyball. During the match, the soldier walked off the court showing signs of distress. He then collapsed. Along with soldiers, Personnel Support Program (PSP) workers and an off-duty base firefighter made several attempts to resuscitate him. He was then rushed to Pembroke Regional Hospital where he died an hour later. A post-mortem has been scheduled ….”
• What’s Canada Buying (1)  A Canadian company – FlightSafety Canada – is being chosen to do simulator training for the CC-138 Twin Otter for between US$300K and US$400K.  Any objections?
• What’s Canada Buying (2)  Now that we’ve done a tender to collect samples to do research to improve blood testing for divers (more here), we need someone to analyze all the data.
• What’s Canada Buying (3)  Wanted:  panel of medical experts to independently review medical research into Tasers and other “Conducted Energy Weapons” – more details about specialties and questions to be answered in Statement of Work downloadable (7 page PDF) here.
• East coast air force worries about a proposed wind farm?  “The Canadian military says that a wind farm proposed for the Annapolis Valley will interfere with flight operations at its large airbase at Greenwood. CBC News has learned that the Department of National Defence notified Sprott Power several months ago that its proposed wind farm would interrupt radar coverage. The military’s concerns became public at a meeting in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia on Tuesday. The conflict between wind towers and radar installations is a national and international concern, but this is the first time the issue has been raised in Nova Scotia. The military believes wind towers can’t coexist with the radar coverage needed for aircraft operations in and out of CFB Greenwood. Sprott Power of Toronto has proposed to build a 12-tower wind farm on Hampton Mountain about 40 kilometres from Greenwood ….”

• Condolences to family, colleagues and friends (2)  “Friends and fellow soldiers were remembering Trooper Troy Barnes Thursday praising a young life suddenly cut too short. Flags were half-mast outside the regimental headquarters of the Royal Canadian Dragoons as the 24-year-old armoured soldier was being remembered by his commanding officer as a “big, burly likable man” who will be sorely missed by his comrades. “He was a quiet, inquisitive fellow,” remarked Lt.-Col. Dyrald Cross, who had just returned from meeting with the trooper’s family. Trooper Barnes’ sudden death earlier this week shocked the unit. On Tuesday, his armoured troop went over to Dundonald Hall for an afternoon game of beach volleyball. During the match, the soldier walked off the court showing signs of distress. He then collapsed. Along with soldiers, Personnel Support Program (PSP) workers and an off-duty base firefighter made several attempts to resuscitate him. He was then rushed to Pembroke Regional Hospital where he died an hour later. A post-mortem has been scheduled ….”
• What’s Canada Buying (1)  A Canadian company – FlightSafety Canada – is being chosen to do simulator training for the CC-138 Twin Otter.  Any objections?
• What’s Canada Buying (2)  Now that we’ve done a tender to collect samples to do research to improve blood testing for divers (more here), we need someone to analyze all the data.
• What’s Canada Buying (3)  Wanted:  panel of medical experts to independently review medical research into Tasers and other “Conducted Energy Weapons” – more details about specialties and questions to be answered in Statement of Work downloadable (7 page PDF) here.