Canada: 'Bankrupt' Forces May Shut 5 Bases (Their MILITARY is BANKRUPT!?)

The National Post ^ | February 24, 2004 | Chris Wattie

[quidnunc]

Internal reports say $500M shortfall may cause closures from Winnipeg to Labrador

Canada's army, navy and air force are facing a funding shortfall of up to half a billion dollars, defence sources told the National Post, and the military is recommending drastic measures to make up the difference, including closing some of the largest bases in the country.

The federal government is stalling the release of internal documents that outline the looming financial crisis, but military sources said the reports indicate that in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, the air force expects to be $150-million short of funds needed to fulfill its commitments, the navy will be $150-million shy of its needs and the army will be as much as $200-million short.

The figures were submitted to General Ray Henault, the Chief of Defence Staff, last month by the heads of the land staff, the maritime staff and the air staff in anticipation of this year's defence budget.

The military sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the reports foresee a situation so dire that they recommend curtailing operations, dry-docking ships and mothballing vehicles or aircraft and closing at least four Canadian Forces bases.

Unless additional funding is awarded by the government, the air force is suggesting closing bases at Goose Bay, Nfld., Bagotville, Que., North Bay and Winnipeg, the sources said.

Further, the air force report says that unless its fleet of ageing CC-130 Hercules transport planes is replaced or modernized, the main transport base at Trenton should be closed within 10 years. "There won't be enough Hercs flying by then to justify keeping that base open," one air force source said.

The navy predicts it will not be able to live up to treaty obligations to NATO and other alliances and cannot carry out enough patrols of Canadian waters to comply with agreements with other government departments such as Immigration Canada or Fisheries and Oceans.

"We will not be able to meet our domestic defence obligations," one naval officer said.

-snip-

[Weimdog]

They actually have some of the best long distance sharp shooters (snipers) in the world -

"Canada has approximately 2,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization stabilization force. In support of the U.S.-led ground war, Canada deployed a 750-member infantry battalion from January to July 2002.

Canadian snipers unofficially were credited with killing 20 Al-Qaeda members during Operation Anaconda in the Shahi Kot Valley. Two sniper teams also were recommended for the U.S. Bronze Star."

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/article.cfm?Id=1309

[albertabound]

Brutal is an understatement. A scandal with big legs and it could be enough to turf the bast*rds in the forthcoming Spring election. Bush won by a hanging chad, our Conservatives could just win by a phoney Quebec advertising scam.

[claudiustg]

Bingo!

[albertabound]

Canada is not a weak country and we do not need a tag day quite yet.

[gatorgriz]

Does this mean they can't gas their tank???

[norton]

"INVADE NOW!!!!!(but)...why would we want it?"

To resettle the mexicans?

[fourdeuce82d]

Pretty sad that they're in the shape they're in, but they pitched in during Afghanistan, and some princess pat snipers made a considerable contribution.

I guess to some degree it's reasonable to project the deficiencies of an elected government onto the populace that elected them...but then again we had "That Person" running things for eight years.

Wonder how many of the people here slamming the canucks have served in their own counnty's military?

[MegaSilver]

America has plenty of potential terrorists now working in New Jersey 7/11/ stores.

Very true. Keep in mind that while I'm critical of Canada's border policy, saying that the U.S.'s is better isn't saying much, as we still leave a lot to be desired. Likely, it won't be fixed unless we get lucky and have a relentless conservative in power come 2008. Let's hope and pray.

In the meantime, better get back to ignoring lawbreakers and anally probing little old ladies at airports. Keep on fightin' that war on terror, y'know.

Our Alberta Mounties just caught 11 Korean Nationals at the Montana border so it is getting tougher for them to find the weak spots.

Good to hear.

[BobS]

I might be coming to your Province this summer for a country-and-western concert, BTW! I know someone near Edmonton:) I will need a change by that time anyway.

[navyblue]

I didn't know Canada even had a military. What about all of those guys on horses? ;)

Hey everybody! Let's go a little easier on the Canucks. Remember they have the same problem that we have. LIBERALS!

And remember they were there at some of toughest spots at Normandy and they're in Afghanistan right now!

[optimistically_conservative]

I beleive that should be:

You mean we have to take Canada's bases using some Japanese game programmer's poor English?

I don't believe that would be very American.

[null and void]

ping

[albertabound]

The Calgary Stampede usually starts July 4th. Bring your boots and hat but you will have to check your six guns at the border.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Goose Bay: As the site of tactical flying training in Canada 5 Wing Goose Bay is home to permanent detachments from Britain's Royal Air Force, the German Luftwaffe, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Italian Aeronautic Militaire. The Wing also serves as a NORAD CF-18 deployed operating base and airfield supporting a mix of aviation activities, military and civilian, in north-eastern Canada.

http://www.airforce.dnd.ca/5wing/site/index_e.asp

Bagotville: 3 Wing Bagotville, home of the CF-18, is one of only two fighter bases in Canada. Located in Quebec's Saguenay region, it carries out air defence, combat support and search and rescue missions.

http://www.airforce.dnd.ca/3wing/site/index_e.asp

North bay: 22 Wing represents one of Canada's major contributions to the North American Aerospace Defence (NORAD) agreement. From its underground complex at the Sector Air Operations Centre, technicians watch over Canada's airspace 24 hours a day, using state-of-the-art sensors, computer and communications equipment.

http://www.airforce.forces.ca/22wing/site/index_e.asp

Winnipeg: For Canadian airforce personnel, all roads will lead to 17 Wing Winnipeg. The Wing is comprised of three squadrons and six schools. It also provides support to the Central Flying School. All combined, 17 Wing turns out what are considered some of the best pilots, air navigators and multi-skilled personnel in the world.

http://www.airforce.forces.ca/17wing/site/index_e.asp

Sad stuff, 2 Norad bases down the tube...

[null and void]

Fixed your typo:

I don't believe that would be very American, eh?

[MD_Willington_1976]

Forgot to add, North Bay reports to Cheyenne mountain, and employs Americans...

Critical information on air sovereignty events is forwarded to the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, where it is in turn passed on to the command authorities--the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada--to decide on the appropriate responses.

Due to this binational nature of the NORAD agreement, some 32 American personnel belonging to the USAF's 722 Support Squadron work in the Canadian Sector Air Operations (SAOC). Training of the personnel who perform the air sovereignty mission is done by 51 AC&W (Operational Training) Squadron, an integral unit of 22 Wing.

[optimistically_conservative]

started the $1 billion gun registry

According to Steyn, it's already over $2 billion.

[navyblue]

Wonder how many of the people here slamming the canucks have served in their own counnty's military?

I'm not slamming them and check my handle!

Far as I'm concerned they make a hell of a lot better neighbor (or is that neighbour) than our neighbor to the south!

[mercy]

We should invade and annex them. Shoulda done it 200 years ago. The defunct nation of Canada is a threat to our security as they are a haven for terrorists. If they will not take the responsiblity of defending themselves and locking out terrorists .... they do not deserve to be a nation.

[BobS]

It's a different one called the 'Big Valley concert' or something like that in May. A 3 day concert?