Canada Sends New C-17 to Jamaica with Supplies for the Victims of Hurricane Dean

DND/Canadian Forces ^ | 2007-08-24 | (press release)

[Clive]

News Release

Canada Sends New C-17 to Jamaica with Supplies for the Victims of Hurricane Dean

2007-16 - August 23, 2007

TRENTON — Minister of International Cooperation Beverley Oda and Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Peter Gordon MacKay were in Trenton today to oversee loading of relief items in Canada’s new C-17 for hurricane-affected communities in Jamaica.

"By using our new C-17, Canada’s New Government is responding today to the humanitarian emergency in Jamaica with a large shipment of emergency aid supplies," said Minister Oda. "The 32 tons of supplies, such as tarps, jerricans and buckets that we are sending will bring much-needed relief to the victims of Hurricane Dean."

"Today’s shipment of such a large quantity of supplies across this long distance would not have been possible without our new C-17 Canadian Forces aircraft," said Minister MacKay. "I am proud that we now have this capability, and the Canadian Forces can contribute toward this important relief effort and helping to alleviate the human suffering caused by Hurricane Dean."

"In his recent travel to the region, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Canada’s longstanding relationship with the Caribbean. Canadian officials have been maintaining close contact with the relevant authorities and agencies of all countries affected by Hurricane Dean," said the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs. "I have been in touch with my Jamaican counterpart to underscore our willingness to assist. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of Canadian tour operators in acting so responsibly toward their clients and to remind travelers of the need to stay informed and cautious when visiting regions prone to hurricanes."

The supplies sent today are in addition to Canada’s $2 million financial commitment made on August 20, 2007 for relief and recovery efforts for those affected by Hurricane Dean; and a February 2007 contribution to the $20 million Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility—proving governments with insurance against government losses caused by catastrophic natural disasters; and a $20 million regional disaster risk reduction program.

Canadians wishing to help with relief efforts are encouraged to visit: http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/library/howcanadians-en.aspx.

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[Clive]

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[Candor7]

Canada needs another 100 C-17s.The sooner the better.

[AntiKev]

I concur.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

The C-17 is a long overdue acquisition — and I’m glad our armed forces have it.

However, it wasn’t needed in this instance. It’s not as if ordinary items; such as tarps, jerry cans, and buckets needed to be air freighted all the way from Canada to Jamaica. There’s no war zone involved, nor was specialized disaster relief equipment (such as the DART) being shipped (according to the article). It would have been far more efficient to load planes in Miami, with goods acquired from local commercial outlets, for the short hop to Jamaica.

Using the C-17 was for show. It’s good PR (which is good for the military & therefore a good thing), and it shows the red maple leaf — but, it didn’t make a lot of logistical sense.

[NorthOf45]

Let’s see if the opposition has the balls to say ANYTHING negative about the purchase now.

Great move to send it on an aid flight for its first mission.

[Tallguy]

I think you could chalk this up to a “training flight”. New aircraft coming online & all that. I’m sure the RCAF wanted to get some miles under their wings.

[Candor7]

Using the C-17 was for show. It’s good PR (which is good for the military & therefore a good thing), and it shows the red maple leaf — but, it didn’t make a lot of logistical sense.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You are right on, it does not make logical sense, but its a moral booster for the CAF, and a perk for the crews who went down there ( Limbo Mahn! Regge!).

PM Harper is now beginning to beat the drum to justify allocating mucho dinero towards expanding and updating the Canadian Armed Forces. He needs to ramp things up in order to acquire enough hardware and new enlistments to counter the coming Russian initiative in the North, which will be a land/territory grab.

I hope he gets it done.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Sometimes you have to do things like this. Yes, getting the stuff in Miami and hiring a commercial carrier is more efficient. However having a Canadian Armed Forces (It really should be the RCAF...) C-17 show up with supplies and showing the flag (roundel?) of Canada in a fellow Commonwealth country builds a lot of good will.

[NorthOf45]

Actually, IIRC, it used to be the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

[fanfan]