Le 19 juillet 2013, membres de la Roto 3, posent pour une photo de groupe avant le 5 km course à pied internationale, "Run Thru Sparta", au Camp Phoenix, Kaboul.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=660955430598442&set=a.277293098964679.79140.207409132619743&type=1&theater
COMMENT:
Am so darn proud of of our men and women- they honour our nations' our Nato countries sons and daughters serving r the real heroes of this world ... and that's a fact.... their bleeding on the foreign soil 4 actual freedom of innocents 2 walk upon- shows more honour and courage than all the gold and jewels and hollywood icing... thank u... thank u thank u
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Canadian Armed Forces contingent successfully completes the Nijmegen Marches
NR – 13.236 - July 19, 2013
OTTAWA – A Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) contingent of 176 participants from across Canada proudly overcame a major physical challenge by crossing the finish line today after partaking in the 97th annual International Four Days MarchesNijmegen.
Led by Brigadier-General Kevin Cotten, the Canadian contingent marched
40 kilometres a day for four days in a row, while wearing standard combat clothing and carrying a military rucksack weighing at least 10 kilograms.
After completing the demanding 160 kilometres, members of the CAF contingent who completed the Four Day Marches Nijmegen were awarded the Four Day Marches Cross by Brigadier-General Cotten. The contingent then marched the streets of Nijmegen for the Victory Parade along the ‘Via Gladiola,' so named for the flowers thrown to the marchers along the way by tens of thousands of spectators.
"It was an incredible experience to march along a route lined by so many cheering Dutch people who continue to demonstrate their gratitude to present-day Canadians for the gallant and heroic actions of an earlier generation of Canadians who fought and died in the defence of their freedom," said Brigadier-General Cotten. "This year's contingent demonstrated once again that Canada has a first-class, modern military that is well trained, and ready to take on any challenge. Thank you to our Dutch hosts and Bravo Zulu to all!"
This year, the Canadian contingent was made up of both CAF members and a strong contingent of civilian VIPs, as well as a team dedicated to the ill and injured. Throughout the CAF contingent's training period, teams raised $42,129.01, which will be donated to both the Military Families and Soldier On funds.
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Hard-won lessons of Afghan war on 'life support,' outgoing army commander warns
Murray Brewster, The Canadian Press
Sun, 14 Jul 2013 14:06:00 CST
The outgoing commander of the Canadian Army, Lt.-Gen. Peter Devlin seen here on July 12, 2013, says budget restraint and under-spending at National Defence have left some of the army's hard-won capabilities from the Afghan war on "life support." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Murray Brewster
OTTAWA - Budget restraint and under-spending at National Defence have left some of the army's hard-won capabilities from the Afghan war on "life support," says the outgoing commander of the Canadian Army.
The federal government needs to recognize that intelligence operators are as much a part of today's front line as soldiers and tanks, said Lt.-Gen. Peter Devlin, whose three-year tenure as Canada's top soldier comes to an end Thursday.
"I am unusually proud that there is an army that has been reloaded and I've spent an incredible amount of energy and effort to pay respect to the lessons that were learned with blood in Afghanistan," Devlin said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
Much of Devlin's 35-year career in the military was spent in the field in Afghanistan, as well as in Iraq as an exchange officer with the U.S. Army.
But the transition from the front line to Ottawa's political trench warfare can be daunting, and Devlin's candid — but tactful — assessments of the effect of budget-slashing at National Defence have been like fingernails on a chalkboard to a government that's staked much of its reputation on embracing the military.
Before a Senate committee last December, Devlin revealed the army's baseline budget had been cut by 22 per cent and warned there was little fat to cut throughout the organization — a view that did not sit well in political circles.
It has been a scramble to maintain not only training, but elements Devlin described as the "softer skills" essential to fighting modern wars, such as intelligence, surveillance and expertise in countering improvised explosive devices.
"Some of them, to be quite frank, are on life support," he said. "Some are important; others we have had to make rough choices."
Each of those elements figured prominently in the hit-and-run war against the Taliban, and yet the army has found itself redirecting soldiers from infantry, armoured and artillery regiments in order to maintain the necessary intelligence capability.
The ranks of troops who conduct information and electronic warfare — more important than ever on the modern-day battlefield — are stretched thin, Devlin said. "The definition of what soldiers are considered the pointy end of the stick is much broader now, and I would argue that the intelligence analyst is a pointy-ended soldier today."
The army is pushing it, he said, but has "just enough" door gunners for training to man the new CH-47F Chinook helicopters, which began arriving last month.
Equipment such as surveillance balloons and electronics towers, used to keep 24-hour watch over the battlefield, are instead packed up in storage and used sparingly for training because of shrinking budgets, he added.
"If our training scenarios are not rich enough to keep those skills honed at the level they should be, it will mean we will take extra time, extra training and extra resources to bring them up to an appropriate level to represent Canada professionally — the way Canada needs to be represented — domestically or internationally."
A series of internal briefings, released to The Canadian Press over the last year, echo Devlin's concerns, including one memo that warns of possible "degradation," particularly in intelligence.
"Recent operational experience has reinforced the conviction that deployed land forces ... depend on a sophisticated (human intelligence) network that draws from all sources," said the April 8, 2011, briefing, obtained under the Access to Information Act.
The army found itself hobbled at the beginning of the Kandahar mission in 2005, by the absence of that sophisticated ground network of sources, and by its lack of experience in interrogating prisoners.
Defence analysts have been warning for months that while the army has been able to maintain training at the highest level for quick reaction units, which are designed to deploy in a crisis, its ability to mount a sustained operation similar to the one in Afghanistan has been compromised by cuts to training and readiness.
Devlin's comments come just days after the parliamentary budget office revealed that National Defence had under-spent its budget by as much as $2.3 billion last year — bringing the cumulative total of unused funds to $9.6 billion since 2006.
The department claims some of that cash is the result of government belt-tightening in the form of strategic review and deficit reduction, which combined could carve as much as 13 per cent a year out of the defence budget.
When asked last week, the department refused to provide detailed figures. But Stephen O'Connor, the associate deputy minister of financial services, told CTV on Friday that the figures for under-spending last year were not as bad as the budget office made it seem.
O'Connor estimated the number at slightly less than $1.5 billion. "That's still a large number, we understand that, but there are reasons behind that number," he said.
http://www.mysask.com/portal/site/main/template.MAXIMIZE/?javax.portlet.tpst=f059e2ed0c0e3921802ac01060315ae8_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_f059e2ed0c0e3921802ac01060315ae8_viewID=story&javax.portlet.prp_f059e2ed0c0e3921802ac01060315ae8_topic_display_name=National%20News&javax.portlet.prp_f059e2ed0c0e3921802ac01060315ae8_topic_name=National&javax.portlet.prp_f059e2ed0c0e3921802ac01060315ae8_news_item_id_key=24198413&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken
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Army frustrated over inability to push through enhanced drug screening
"Soldiers want this," Devlin said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press. "They all want to (take the test), and why this is so difficult; I don't get it."
Army frustrated over inability to push through enhanced drug screening
"Soldiers want this," Devlin said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press. "They all want to (take the test), and why this is so difficult; I don't get it."
The idea of enhanced screening was first proposed in 2007, at the height of the Afghan war.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/the-canadian-press/130716/army-frustrated-over-inability-push-through-enhanced-drug-sc
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This is Peter MacKay's background and what he's good at.... laws need 2 be changed more fairly 4 victims especially 4 little kids and youth.... $$$ monsters need caging better... praying 4 the victims
Peter MacKay ‘last glimmer of hope’ for Ernest MacIntosh inquiry: complainants
http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/740024/peter-mackay-last-glimmer-of-hope-for-ernest-macintosh-inquiry-complainant/
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So glad to see peter mackay has justice-
Cabinet shakeup may shift law-and-order agenda into cruise control
University of Ottawa criminology Prof. Irvin Waller said MacKay will be called upon to lead the charge on the new victims’ bill of rights, while Blaney will have to stick-handle efforts to rein in policing costs — an initiative Toews launched early this year.
He described MacKay, who once practiced criminal and family law, as an "interesting appointment" given his "centre right" rather than "extreme right" leaning. Waller said he’s "hopeful" the new minister will put forward a "world-class bill" that’s really focused on victims rather than "punishment for the most extreme cases, which is what Nicholson has really been doing."
New Defence Minister Rob Nicholson and new Justice Minister Peter MacKay during swearing-in ceremony July 15. Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Tobi Cohen
Published: July 16, 2013, 4:46 pm
OTTAWA — The Harper government has pumped out more justice and public safety policy than, perhaps, any other area since taking office, but a major shakeup this week in those portfolios suggests the law-and-order agenda may shift into cruise control heading into the 2015 election.
And if the medium is indeed the message, it also signals a notable shift in personality as sympathetic former Progressive Conservative leader Peter MacKay takes over Justice from the tightly scripted Rob Nicholson, while fly-below-the-radar former Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney assumes the Public Safety portfolio, replacing the ever confrontational Vic Toews who announced his retirement from federal politics.
%name Cabinet shakeup may shift law and order agenda into cruise control
Fresh faces in Stephen Harper's cabinet
"Toews was like a bull in a china shop and wore his colours on his sleeve," University of Ottawa political historian Michael Behiels said of the former minister, who once proclaimed that those who didn’t like his now-defunct Internet surveillance bill were effectively siding with child pornographers.
Behiels suggested Blaney is "not driven by the same kind of moralistic zeal" and would be able to deliver the same government message with "a different tone."
As for the government’s tough-on-crime agenda, Carleton University political science Prof. Bruce Hicks said much of it was "front loaded" to appeal to the Conservative base that voted the party into power — even if experts argue certain controversial changes like mandatory minimum sentences won’t have a serious impact on crime rates or recidivism.
The government’s Safe Streets and Communities Act passed early last year along with a bill to scrap the long-gun registry, while legislation to improve RCMP accountability and address harassment in the police force became law last month.
"It’s not clear that there is much more to do," Hicks said, suggesting that could be good for MacKay, a "more traditional Progressive Conservative-Liberal style politician" who tends to "trust" the bureaucrats who ultimately run his department.
"It’s really running a big department that is a service department. You don’t need a strong partisan advocate at the top. You need a good manager who will ensure the department runs smoothly."
With Nicholson at the helm of Justice for more than six years and Toews in charge of Public Safety for more than three, it appears much of the heavy lifting has indeed been done and that the goal now is to steer the course ahead of the next election.
That said, there remain a few areas left to tackle.
University of Ottawa criminology Prof. Irvin Waller said MacKay will be called upon to lead the charge on the new victims’ bill of rights, while Blaney will have to stick-handle efforts to rein in policing costs — an initiative Toews launched early this year.
He described MacKay, who once practiced criminal and family law, as an "interesting appointment" given his "centre right" rather than "extreme right" leaning. Waller said he’s "hopeful" the new minister will put forward a "world-class bill" that’s really focused on victims rather than "punishment for the most extreme cases, which is what Nicholson has really been doing."
He described Blaney, a civil engineer, as a bit more of an "unknown" but suggested there’s an opportunity for him to make a name for himself, especially in his native Quebec, which has been particularly critical of the Tories’ law-and-order agenda.
As many of the federal tough-on-crime changes ultimately affect operations and costs at the provincial level, it’ll also be incumbent on both to improve cooperation with the provinces, said Paul Thomas, a professor emeritus in political science at University of Manitoba .
Meanwhile, Tim Smith, a spokesman for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, said his organization will be pushing for a modified Internet surveillance law that would require providers to preserve information like emails and text messages while law enforcement obtains a warrant.
Police will also press the government to introduce legislation that would allow them to obtain DNA from a suspect at the time of arrest, Smith said, adding that "fingerprints were 20th century."
On the immigration front, the departure of Jason Kenney after five years marked another big change in a priority portfolio that may also be destined for the back burner.
Vancouver-based immigration lawyer Richard Kurland said Kenney has left little for successor Chris Alexander to do on immigration, but that the citizenship file is due for an overhaul. He expects the former diplomat will have plenty of work tackling backlogs in processing as well as citizenship and permanent residency fraud. He also expects him to improve immigration security by working more co-operatively with countries like China.
tcohen@postmedia.com
http://o.canada.com/2013/07/16/cabinet-shakeup-may-shift-law-and-order-agenda-into-cruise-control/
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Canada and Australia join forces to improve food security in Africa - $15 million project call launched Join our daily free Newsletter
MENAFN - - 7/16/2013 12:55:00 PM
http://www.menafn.com/eb59811e-4514-42f5-af47-08e470477e8e/Canada-and-Australia-join-forces-to-improve-food-security-Africa--USD15-million-project-call-launched?src=main
Canada and Australia join forces to improve food security in Africa - 15 million project call launched
ACCRA, GHANA, Jul 16, 2013, 2013 (Menafn - Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) --Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Australian International Food Security Centre (AIFSC) today are launching a call for concept notes for the Cultivate Africa's Future (CultiAF) initiative, a 4-year, CA15 million research partnership designed to combat hunger in sub-Saharan Africa by harnessing the potential for innovation among the region's smallholder farmers, the majority of whom are women.
The announcement, made at the 2013 Africa Agricultural Science Week conference, represents a significant investment in research that will help promote food security in Eastern and Southern Africa by tackling persistent problems such as post-harvest losses, malnutrition, poor product quality, and inefficient water use. Managed by IDRC, and funded equally by IDRC and AIFSC, CultiAF contributes to Canada's and Australia's commitment to combat hunger, food and insecurity throughout the developing world.
"Sub-Saharan African agricultural productivity is the lowest in the world. This program will support research to find more effective ways to increase productivity and food security," says IDRC President Jean Lebel. This strategic partnership between IDRC and ACIAR will promote the use of existing science and technology expertise. "Canada's IDRC is pleased to partner with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to advance ideas and innovative breakthroughs that increase food security through practical science for development." added Mr. Lebel.
"Australia and Canada prioritize food security as a key element in our aid agendas, and recognize the untapped potential of innovation for smallholder farmers in helping food reach those who need it", says Mellissa Wood, Director of the Australian International Food Security Centre, which leads and funds ACIAR's involvement in the CultiAF partnership.
Under the Call, research organizations from 10 countries - Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe - are eligible to compete for grants of up to CA3 million dollars each.
Winning collaborative research projects should help smallholder farmers reduce post-harvest loss of crops; improve yields and livestock productivity through better water use; and improve nutrition. Resulting innovations are expected to be of use to other parts of Africa and will support national and regional food security efforts on the continent.
CultiAF builds on Canadian and Australian leadership in research innovation and food security throughout the world.
More information is available at www.idrc.ca/CultiAF.
About Canada's International Development Research CentreA key part of Canada's aid program, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring change to those who need it most.
About the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)The ACIAR is part of the Australian Government's Official Development Assistance Program. Research funded by ACIAR aims to help developing countries to help themselves, by contributing to solving agricultural problems and building their research capacity. ACIAR's involvement in CultiAF is delivered through the Australian International Food Security Centre (AIFSC).
http://www.menafn.com/eb59811e-4514-42f5-af47-08e470477e8e/Canada-and-Australia-join-forces-to-improve-food-security-Africa--USD15-million-project-call-launched?src=main
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Canadian cities cash-strapped but keep books balanced
Experts say the likelihood of a financial emergency like the one Detroit finds itself in happening to a Canadian city is extremely low.
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Canadian Decoration Awarded to Two Afghan Generals
Publication date: 18 July 2013
By: Captain Isabelle Bresse
http://www.cjoc-coic.forces.gc.ca/fs-ev/2013/07/18-eng.asp
His Excellency Ambassador Glenn Davidson presented Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal to Afghan National Army Brigadier Generals Ahmad Habibi and Ahmad Shah July 1 at the Afghan Ministry of Defense headquarters compound in Kabul, Afghanistan.
"Today, the first of July, is the national day of Canada. I think it is very appropriate that on this day we honor these two distinguished generals from the Afghan National Army for their contribution to this military mission here in Afghanistan," Davidson said. "For their leadership, courage and support to the Canadian troops with whom they have fought and served with."
The medal recognizes a military deed or activity performed in a highly professional manner that brings benefit or honor to the Canadian Forces. Afghan Army leaders and family members attended the pinning event. Both generals gave speeches of thanks and talked about the future of the Afghan National Security Forces.
Habibi was cited for "outstanding leadership and close cooperation with Task Force Kandahar" while serving as Commander of the 1st Brigade, 205th Corps. He was awarded for his "operational focus and commitment to development and effective governance of his area of operations," and his efforts helped bring greater stability to the area. His "courage and dedication have contributed to the success of the Canadian Forces mission in Kandahar and fostered an enduring bond between the ANA and the Canadian Forces."
Canadian Army Maj. Gen. Dean Milner, Deputy-Commander NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, also provided remarks, and talked about his personal relationship with both medal recipients.
"General Habibi has been fighting down in Kandahar for a number of years," Milner said. "I met him in 2010, and from that moment on we established an outstanding friendship, partnership. We patrolled together, we did a lot of operations together, ate together – even ran together. I had the opportunity to see a great leader. He knew the significance of working with the people. You can see the effects of his work throughout different parts of the country. … It was a great partnership and an honor and privilege to work alongside these two fine generals."
According to the citation, Shah, the Deputy Commander, Operations Coordination Center-Region (OCCR) South, was awarded for his work as the commander of 205th Hero Corps in 2010-2011. Returning to active service at the request of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, he fully integrated the Canadian Contingent into 205th Hero Corps operations through partnered mentor teams. Shah "enabled team success and was a valued member of the Senior Security Partners, consulting the Commanding General and Senior Canadian staff within Regional Command South."
"I met General Shah in 2011," Milner said. "He is an extremely hard worker and a great leader. He established some great partnerships with the Canadians. He helped build up that OCCR to be the best OCCR in Afghanistan at the time. So I’d just like to thank him for his commitment and performance and all the great work he does for his country."
http://www.cjoc-coic.forces.gc.ca/fs-ev/2013/07/18-eng.asp
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CANADA MILITARY NEWS: Jul20- Honouring USA Vets- and always our own and Nato brothers and sisters- 2008- Iraq Afghanistan-KEEPING PERSPECTIVE- from former democrats
http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/07/canada-military-news-jul20-honouring.html
THANK A VETERAN.... IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN-.... REALITY BITES FOLKS... ;-)
WE REMEMBER....KEEPING PERSPECTIVE 2008
I get tons of this stuff, but I thought this was a good history lesson on what past presidents have done.
John Glenn (DEMOCRAT) said this ----- It should make us all think a little:
There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq in January. In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January. That's just one American city, about as deadly as the entire war-torn country of Iraq.
When some claim that President Bush shouldn't have started this war, tell them the following :
FDR (DEMOCRAT) led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us; Japan did. From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost ... an average of 112,500 per year.
Truman (DEMOCRAT) finished that war and started one in Korea.
North Korea never attacked us.From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost ... an average of 18,334 per year.
John F. Kennedy (DEMOCRAT) started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. Vietnam never attacked us.
Johnson (DEMOCRAT) turned Vietnam into a quagmire. From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost ... an average of 5,800 per year.
Clinton (DEMOCRAT) went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent. < SPAN>Bosnia never attacked us. He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing. Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.
This one is a fact that makes me mad as hell.
In the years since terrorists attacked us, President Bush has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran, and, North Korea without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people. And the Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking.
But Wait, There's more.
It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno (DEMOCRAT) to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51-day operation .
We've been looki ng for evidence for chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton (DEMOCRAT) to find the Rose law firm billing records.
It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick.
It took less time to take Iraq than it took to count the votes in Florida!!!
Our Commander-In-Chief is doing a GREAT JOB! The Military morale is high!
The biased media hopes we are too ignorant to realize the facts.
But Wait ....There's more!
JOHN GLENN (on the Senate floor - January 26, 2004)
Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. This exchange between Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living.
This IS a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of the military.
Senator Metzenbaum (speaking to Senator Glenn):
'How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?'
Senator Glenn (D-Ohio): 'I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in t he space program. It wasn't my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me, as I went the other day . . to a veteran's hospital and look those men ... with their mangled bodies ... in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job!
You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee ... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DAD'S didn't hold a job.
You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery , where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags . You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you have the gall to tell ME that those people didn't have a job?
W hat about Metzenbaum? For those who don't remember During W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA.
Now he's a Senator!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English thank a Veteran.
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CANADA MILITARY NEWS: Jul19- Our Troops/Afghanistan the good/Canada news/Nova Scotia rising/Miss Alex/Hockey/MUSLIMS R COOL IN CANADA
http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/07/canada-military-news-jul19-our.html
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