Canadian role in Afghanistan about to change

Canadian Press via Sun Media ^ | 2006-01-16 | Stephen Thorne

[Clive]

Master Cpl. Paul Franklin,
Pte. William Edward Salikin and
Cpl. Jeffrey Bailey.
(CP Photos)

[Clive]

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[fanfan]

Canada ping!

Please FReepmail me to get on or off this Canada ping list.

[Lokibob]

All Canada can offer is very brave troops with poor training and poor equipment due to liberal policies. They can not even bring air power to provide cover for their troops.

The troops have to be worried because of the error the U.S. made a few years ago killing (I think) 4 of their troops with one of our planes.

The elections next Monday will hopefully start the pendulum swinging in the other direction. We in the U.S. can do it without the Canadians involvement, but we really do not want to. Canada has been our partner historically over the years, and with a change of government, can mend the friendship.

[slapshot]

Amen

Our Canadian neighbors, despite being misguided over the years, (yes it is an understatement), have been and always will be there when we need them. It pains me and several close friends I have across the border re: the "wussification" (their words) of their proud country.

Flame away if you want.

I have trained with the RCAF and have nothing but respect for their ability, professionalism, and motivation (not to mention their forechecking skills and ability to down/quaff "Alberta Gatorade" after some spirited matches at Cold Lake, Alberta base rink.)

[Clive]

Respectfully, I disagree with your characterization of "poor training"

These troops are bloody well trained.

Ask the 101st with whom they served in 2002. Ask the Taliban who saw over 20 of their comrades die at long range from Canadian snipers' bullets. Perhaps ask the ones who are getting surprise visits by JTF2 teams.

Ask the US Navy with whom Canadian frigates and destroyers regularly form part of escort screens for US CVs and CVNs and with with whom Canadian frigates and destroyers have mounted, and commanded, interdiction patrols in the Gulf of Arabia.

Our people do their jobs professionally and well despite the criminal cutbacks in funding over the past three decades and despite the lack of recognition by Canadian civilians and the politicians that they elect.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

I didn't notice any training deficiencies, nor have I seen any of their vehicles broke down on the side of the road.

[Mad_as_heck]

Thanks to all the Canadian Freepers for Canada's help in Afghanistan. It is appreciated.

[kanawa]

Well said! Prayers for our guys and good hunting.

[Lokibob]

I only know what I read.  I have been out of the military for 23 years.  In no way did I mean to impugn the bravery of the Canadian Soldier.  He has always fought beside us with great bravery.

 

Here are some recent FR articles on Canadian troop training and equipment problems:

 

Canadian submarine problems:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513447/posts

 

Troop Training:

Strong Leader Helps Beef up Canadian Military

Posted by NorthOf45 On News/Activism 12/07/2005 11:56:17 AM MST · 11 replies · 240+ views The StarPhoenix ^ | December 07, 2005 | Staff Writer Strong leader helps beef up Cdn. militaryThe StarPhoenix December 07, 2005 The appointment of the blunt-talking Gen. Rick Hillier as Chief of Canada's Defence staff last year was interpreted by military analysts as a signal a new era of renewal had begun for the Canadian Armed Forces. One clue that Hillier's determination that Canadian soldiers are no longer going to be sent into dangerous war zones without proper equipment came, strangely enough, the day Prime Minister Paul Martin went to Rideau Hall to set the election machinery in motion. On the morning the writ dropped, the Armed Forces issued a...

 

 

Military funding:

Senate Committee Calls on (Canadian) Government to Double Military Budget
Posted by NorthOf45
On News/Activism 09/29/2005 8:57:18 PM MDT · 29 replies · 342+ views

www.canada.com ^ | September 29, 2005 | John Ward
Senate committee calls on government to double military budgetJohn Ward Canadian Press September 29, 2005 OTTAWA (CP) - Canada's defence budget should double and the military should add thousands of new recruits, says a Senate committee report. The budget should be $25 billion to $35 billion a year instead of the anemic $14.3 billion earmarked this year and the Forces should have 90,000 people in uniform instead of the 62,000 authorized today, the defence committee said Thursday. However, Defence Minister Bill Graham isn't buying the idea. He said the last budget gave the military its biggest increase in 20 years..

 

Airplanes:

Canada Can't Deploy Fighter Aircraft Abroad
Posted by george76
On Bloggers & Personal 01/16/2006 10:37:43 AM MST · 6 replies · 64+ views

The Strong Conservative ^ | January 11, 2006 | The Strong Conservative
Due to Liberal neglect and disdain for the Canadian Armed Forces, Canada is now unable to provide air-cover for its ground soldiers in Afghanistan. Accordingly, Canada must rely on American fighter-bombers for support during ground operations in the war-torn but recovering nation. Despite the Liberals wrapping themselves in the flag, their actions to cut defence funding has taken an undesired effect on Canadian sovereignty as a result of its inadequate air-war capabilities. For all the Liberal's anti-Americanism, they sure have no problem calling Uncle Sam for help when they need it. As John Manley said years ago, Liberals frequently order...

 

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I apologize if I gave the impression that I didn't trust the Canadian soldier........Bob

[NorthOf45]

I believe that what some, including myself, have issue with is the suggestion that Canadian soldiers are inadequately trained. I believe they are very well trained. Two of the three articles you refer to were posted by me and make no reference to poor training. We have abaolutely no argument with the fact that their equipment, for the most part, needs upgrading.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

I saw some of Pte Woodfield's tarmac ceremony. The Americans call them ramp ceremonies.

It will be cold Tuesday morning. The Canadian soldiers will march out of the dilapidated corrugated steel hangar, bear headed, swinging their arms just like a WWII newsreel, coming into the bright sunshine and on to the the concrete aircraft parking ramp. A Sergeant Major will bellow commands most Americans won't understand, and the battalion will eventually come to rest drawn up in two lines starting at the ramp of the dark gray Canadian C-130. Y'all's are darker than ours, with a black maple leaf on the tail.

The Canadian Colonel and the padre and some VIP from Ottawa will be at the bottom of the ramp. Words will be said, but many will be drowned out by C-17's or Ilyushins or Chinooks. Can't shut the runway down for memorial services.

When the orotory concludes a Bison with a big Red Cross on the side will back up between the two lines of troops and stop about 25 feet from the aircraft. The Bison will drop its ramp and Mr. Berry's coffin will be slowly and precisely carried up into the aircraft. After what seems like a very long time the Colonel and the padre and the VIP and the detail will come back out, the Sergeant Major will bellow, and the two lines will reform into a battalion formation. The C-130 will raise its ramp and crank up its inboard engines and slowly pull away.

Some will weep. Others will fix their eyes on the head of the soldier in front of them. Many will study the ugly brown mountain that dominates the northern skyline.

The C-130 will crank up its outboard engines and get out on the taxiway. A green Ford Ranger with a flashing Follow Me sign will lead it at good speed to the northeast. The troops will lose sight of it behind the Main Fire Station. When it comes back it will be surprisingly high, moving fast. The Sergeant Major will bellow, the troops will salute, and the C-130 will roar on past, in a hurry to get to Camp Mirage.

I hate ramp ceremonies.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[Lokibob]

But the third talks about new 155 towed, with FDC and smart projos, and they are getting them IN COUNTRY!!! I guess that is OJT. Perhaps they were trained, but it doesn't say so.

New vehicles!! OK, they can drive them, but have they been trained in repair. All new vehicles I have owned, have some maintenance problems at first.

Drones, they probably can fly them, I don't doubt it, but the interp of the intel is a developed skill.

Sorry, but my 20 years in U.S. Army included some new equipment introductory, and tons was spent in the training so the troops knew the capabilities.

[Lokibob]

Clive, I'm not blaming the troops, I blame the politicians.

Clintoon damn near ruined our military during his 8 years.

Is "inadequate training for the new equipment" any better?

Let me ask you something? In light of new 155 tows and new drones, and new trucks, would you have liked to see the equipment before going in country?

[NorthOf45]

If your talking about new gear, then yes, there will be a learning curve. However, I don't believe the soldiers will be sent out into the field with the new kit until they are ready. In addition, a lot of the gear is not new to them. For example, the G-Wagon, Nyala, and drones (to some degree) have been used in Afghanistan for some time now. The 155 is another issue. I did read though that troops were being trained on them. I could be wrong though ... I'm just a civilian. : )

[NorthOf45]

An article talking about training ...

Artillery’s new guns increase range, accuracy

It would have been nice to have had the guns befor November. One can thank the libs for not supporting our military.

[CaptainCanada]

All Canada can offer is very brave troops with poor training
and poor equipment due to liberal policies

Sub-par equipment - yes..
Poor training - I don't think so.
Comparably equipped, our boys will go toe to toe with the best forces
in the world and do more than hold their own.

[Lokibob]

I don't doubt it a bit, my FRiend.

Good hunting to all in the fight.....bob

[Cannoneer No. 4]

I went to the ramp ceremony for the murdered diplomat. It was moving send off with a bag piper playing “amazing grace.” A few thousand US, Canadian, British, Dutch, French, and Afghan soldiers stood at attention when his casket was loaded on the plane.

-- Going Down Range