Canadian Armed Forces Thread

[Gurn]

Major-general Fortin found not guilty:

https://globalnews.ca/news/9325404/dany-fortin-trial-verdict/

"

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the former head of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine campaign, has been found not guilty of sexual assault, a judge has ruled.

Fortin, who has maintained his innocence, was charged with one count of sexual assault by Quebec prosecutors last year. Judge Richard Meredith delivered the verdict Monday afternoon in Gatineau, Que. There was no jury in the trial, which began in September and wrapped up in October.

The complainant in the case, who was attending military college with Fortin in 1988 in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., testified at the trial that she woke up one night in her dorm room to find a man masturbating himself using one of her hands, while another hand was on her breast.

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1988- Heck I have trouble remembering what I was doing last week.

At the same time I recognize that victims of abuse can take years to be ready to press charges.

All these kinds of cases make me very sad. No winners, just scarred survivors of the 'process'

[Gurn]

6 minute video about Canada's military issues, including statements from the top general.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/the-world-is-at-a-turning-point-is-canada-s-military-ready/vi-AA15WKZT?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=fe0c3e3c43a34b00a33245b372e9dd0a&category=foryou

[UnkNuk]

3 hours ago, Gurn said:

6 minute video about Canada's military issues, including statements from the top general.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/the-world-is-at-a-turning-point-is-canada-s-military-ready/vi-AA15WKZT?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=fe0c3e3c43a34b00a33245b372e9dd0a&category=foryou

Is there a ballpark figure for the cost of the requirements that the military needs?

[Gurn]

1 hour ago, UnkNuk said:

Is there a ballpark figure for the cost of the requirements that the military needs?

I'd guess that has been presented to he government.

I would say, if Canada would meet the 2% GDP spending on the military, as pledged to NATO; it would be a  big help.

In 2021 Canada spent 1.31% or $21.87 billion

It would have been   $34 billion, at 2% gdp.

[Gurn]

Contract on new fighter jets announced/awarded:

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/federal-government-inks-deal-to-buy-fleet-of-f-35-fighter-jets/ar-AA168v9F?bncnt=BroadcastNews_TopStories&ocid=msedgntp&FORM=BNC001&cvid=05a26b3d38ea425ebf8bc2392a8bbc3a

"Canada has signed off on the final contract to buy F-35 jet fighters to replace the air force's aging CF-18s, Defence Minister Anita Anand revealed Monday.

 

The final agreement for 88 warplanes won't see the first delivered until 2026 and the first F-35 squadrons will not be operational until 2029, senior defence officials said during a technical briefing before the minister's announcement.

Interestingly, the project budget of $19 billion remains the same as originally projected by the Liberal government when it signaled the purchase last year. Anand and other officials stuck to the projection despite inflation which has seen the budgets for other major programs increase dramatically.

A senior defence official, speaking on background, said the F-35 will be purchased in phases and that the first tranche of four aircraft will be $85 million US per fighter.

The deal represents a dramatic turnaround for the Liberal government, which promised not to buy the F-35 and instead purchase a cheaper jet fighter and use the savings to bolster the navy.

 

The Conservative government of then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper first announced plans to go with the Lockheed-Martin-built jet in the summer of 2010.

The plan was shelved after criticism from both the parliamentary budget officer and the auditor general, who questioned the cost and whether defence officials had done enough homework on what other aircraft might meet the air force's needs.

Anand said Monday that, by waiting, Canada will be buying a proven aircraft that other allies are now using and that the technology used in the stealth fighter has evolved to the point where it has no issues.

The F-35 has had — for several years — a series of high-profile glitches and mechanical problems.

A second senior defence official, also speaking on background Monday, said that Canada will get the latest version of the F-35 — Lot 18, Block 4 — which has the most advanced technology. 

 

[Gurn]

2 rescued, 2 missing after RCAF helicopter crash:

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/two-rcaf-members-missing-two-rescued-after-helicopter-crash-near-ottawa-river/ar-AA1cMKDk?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=1639e274cc8943cb8653eedef5844faa&ei=26

PETAWAWA, Ont. — A number of beaches along the Ottawa River near Petawawa, Ont., were blocked off Tuesday afternoon as a search continued for two people missing after a military helicopter crash.

The Department of National Defence says four members of the Royal Canadian Air Force were on the CH-147 Chinook helicopter when it crashed after midnight near the river.

The crew was taking part in a training flight. The military has not said anything about what caused the crash. 

Two of the crew members were found by first responders and taken to hospital in Pembroke, Ont., overnight.

The search involves about 50 Canadian Armed Forces members on shore and in the water, with help from an Ontario Provincial Police marine unit, Petawawa and Pembroke fire departments and several military rescue aircraft.

Helicopters could be seen flying over the river, with military vehicles blocking roads as the Armed Forces kept the search area contained on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he spoke Tuesday morning with Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of the defence staff.

 

"My thoughts go out to the entire Canadian Armed Forces, the members of the 450 Squadron who are obviously very deeply affected by this," Trudeau said on his way into a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill.

"We're now hoping for the best, but braced for the worst," he said. "We just want to thank everyone who serves and show them our support through this difficult time."

The Defence Department is asking boaters to avoid the area near the Garrison Petawawa military base to allow for search efforts and ensure the integrity of the crash scene.

Petawawa is about 160 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.

The military's fleet of 15 Chinooks is used to transport troops and equipment. 

The helicopters have also been deployed to help with natural disasters in Canada and to provide emergency medical evacuations during an operation in Mali in 2018 and 2019.

Last August, the United States military grounded its fleet of 400 Chinook helicopters after several reports that fuel leaks had caused engine fires. No injuries or deaths had been reported.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defence said there had not been any such issues with the Royal Canadian Air Force fleet and that the Canadian military would be in touch with Boeing, the manufacturer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2023.

— With files from Sarah Ritchie in Ottawa

[chon derry]

59 minutes ago, Gurn said:

2 rescued, 2 missing after RCAF helicopter crash:

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/two-rcaf-members-missing-two-rescued-after-helicopter-crash-near-ottawa-river/ar-AA1cMKDk?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=1639e274cc8943cb8653eedef5844faa&ei=26

PETAWAWA, Ont. — A number of beaches along the Ottawa River near Petawawa, Ont., were blocked off Tuesday afternoon as a search continued for two people missing after a military helicopter crash.

The Department of National Defence says four members of the Royal Canadian Air Force were on the CH-147 Chinook helicopter when it crashed after midnight near the river.

The crew was taking part in a training flight. The military has not said anything about what caused the crash. 

Two of the crew members were found by first responders and taken to hospital in Pembroke, Ont., overnight.

The search involves about 50 Canadian Armed Forces members on shore and in the water, with help from an Ontario Provincial Police marine unit, Petawawa and Pembroke fire departments and several military rescue aircraft.

Helicopters could be seen flying over the river, with military vehicles blocking roads as the Armed Forces kept the search area contained on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he spoke Tuesday morning with Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of the defence staff.

 

"My thoughts go out to the entire Canadian Armed Forces, the members of the 450 Squadron who are obviously very deeply affected by this," Trudeau said on his way into a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill.

"We're now hoping for the best, but braced for the worst," he said. "We just want to thank everyone who serves and show them our support through this difficult time."

The Defence Department is asking boaters to avoid the area near the Garrison Petawawa military base to allow for search efforts and ensure the integrity of the crash scene.

Petawawa is about 160 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.

The military's fleet of 15 Chinooks is used to transport troops and equipment. 

The helicopters have also been deployed to help with natural disasters in Canada and to provide emergency medical evacuations during an operation in Mali in 2018 and 2019.

Last August, the United States military grounded its fleet of 400 Chinook helicopters after several reports that fuel leaks had caused engine fires. No injuries or deaths had been reported.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defence said there had not been any such issues with the Royal Canadian Air Force fleet and that the Canadian military would be in touch with Boeing, the manufacturer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2023.

— With files from Sarah Ritchie in Ottawa

2005 while on a shopping trip to Cambell river with my parents one morning we had pulled over 10 min south of cambell r. At a rest area and witnessed a sea king. Presumably from comox. This thing was doing some erratic things. It came to a hovering stop and fell into the water. Maybe 200 ft.  It seemed to be a somewhat controlled but  it did rotate with the spin of the blades. So we sat and watched numerous boats race to the scene. Shortly after the whole town seemed to converge on the beach’s. No injury’s. 

[Gurn]

Sending crew and  troops up in those Sea Things became a cruel thing to do ,as the decades passed.

[NewbieCanuckFan]

2 hours ago, Gurn said:

Sending crew and  troops up in those Sea Things became a cruel thing to do ,as the decades passed.

Damn, I wonder if the Canadian army is *STILL* using those ancient circa WWII deuce & a half trucks?

[Gurn]

2 missing crew found, deceased:

"https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/two-missing-rcaf-members-found-dead-after-helicopter-crash-near-petawawa/ar-AA1cQlx1?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=58d3717a93214975a97bf6f55210a4e2&ei=16

"

OTTAWA — The Department of National Defence says two Royal Canadian Air Force members who had been missing since a Chinook helicopter crashed in eastern Ontario have been found dead.

The pair was found late Tuesday evening after an extensive search of the Ottawa River near Petawawa, Ont., which is about 160 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.

Four people were on board the helicopter when it crashed just after midnight Tuesday during a training exercise. 

Officials said Wednesday the group was carrying out a normal training event intended to train first officer pilots, and there were two pilots and two air crew members on board. 

The Armed Forces said it is not releasing the names of the members who were killed out of respect for their families' wishes.

"Our hearts break for the members of 450 Squadron and the families who have lost their loved ones," Defence Minister Anita Anand said Wednesday morning. 

The other two crew members were taken to hospital with minor injuries and have since been released.

 

"We are reminded today that this can be dangerous work, whether it's carried out in support of military operations or while training for those operations," said Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of the defence staff. 

"Our people know the risks and they take them willingly ... because they understand the importance of their work."

The military says a full investigation into what caused the crash is underway. 

There was a recording device on board the helicopter, but it is not clear whether it has been recovered from the wreckage. In the meantime, the fleet of 15 CH-174F Chinooks based in Petawawa will not be flying.

"There is no formal pause in the operation of the fleet at this time. However, the fleet will take a pause out of respect for this tragic incident and all of the members of 450 Squadron," Anand said.

The helicopters are intended for transporting personnel and equipment, and have been used in response to natural disasters and emergencies across the country.

The crash happened in the Ottawa River and the military said it is now conducting environmental containment and clean-up efforts. 

Boaters are being asked to stay off the river while crews investigate, and communities in the area have asked residents to reduce their water usage.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2023.