Gagetown to get new IED disposal training facility

DND Press Release

As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel have the support they need, including safe and modern facilities in which to work and train, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today announced $38 million in funding to improve critical infrastructure and training facilities at the 5th Canadian Division Support Base (5 CDSB) Gagetown.

The Department of National Defence will allocate $36 million to new training facilities for identifying and disposing of improvised explosive devices and other explosive ordnance. The development of skills sets for explosive ordnance disposal is essential to support Canadian military operations.

“As a proud former member of Canada’s military, I know how essential it is that the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces have the facilities to train and develop the essential skills to do their jobs safely and effectively, said Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan. "These military infrastructure projects at Gagetown are so important, and these investments ensure our military is prepared to protect our security, both at home and abroad.”

The Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering at 5 CDSB Gagetown currently lacks sufficient space to conduct critical training. These investments in new training facilities will include buildings to house the main training centre, as well as upgrades to roads for field exercises. Suitable infrastructure will increase the quality of training, which is crucial for supporting operations.

An additional $2.3 million, part of the $200 million for defence infrastructure announced in the 2016 Federal Budget, will allow 5 CDSB Gagetown to repair a vital crossing located within another training area, and to upgrade the airfield’s lighting and storm water collection system. The airfield asphalt will also be replaced. Work on these projects is to begin later this summer.

The new explosive ordnance disposal facilities will conform to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver level, and integrate green building concepts and sustainability into planning, investment analysis, and programming activities for operations.

As announced in the 2016 Federal Budget, the Department of National Defence will invest an additional $200 million in infrastructure at defence facilities across the country.

Sustained improvements to military infrastructure are necessary to provide the women and men of the CAF with the facilities they need to train and operate successfully, well into the future.

Canadian Army Facing Serviceability Issues with Fleet

The Canadian Army continues to see limited serviceability rates due to its aging fleets, according to the newly released Department of National Defence Plans and Priorities report. “The Canadian Army assesses its major vehicle and equipment fleet serviceability at 60 percent,” the report pointed out.

According to DND, the Canadian Army tried to sell a number of its surplus Buffalo and Husky vesicles to help with increasing serviceability rates; but were unable to find any buyers. The Canadian Army also owns a third vehicle in the Expedient Route Opening Capability suite; the Cougar, but it has no plans on selling this model.

That issue covers its major vehicle and equipment holdings. “Until replacements fleets are fielded, and in order to minimize the impact on readiness, the Canadian Army is actively prioritizing the usage of its fleets,” the report stated.

Despite on-going issues with aging fleets and the availability of qualified technicians, the Royal Canadian Air Force achieved an overall fleet serviceability rate of 93 percent, the report noted. Parts availability remains a concern for certain fleets, as serviceability levels can only being achieved by taking parts from other aircraft, which increases maintenance requirements, it added.

The Canadian Army Buffalo 

A Canadian Army Buffalo. Photo: Canadian Army

The Buffalo is the second vehicle in the Expedient Route Opening Capability suite of vehicles and equipment, which support the detection, investigation and disposal of buried improvised explosive devices (IED). IEDs became the weapon of choice against Canadian Armed Forces deployed in Afghanistan.

The Expedient Route Opening Capability (EROC) Team is normally comprised of a section of engineers operating two Huskies, a Buffalo and a Cougar. The Husky is used to detect possible threats, the Buffalo is used to investigate what was detected, and the Cougar transports the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operators and their vast array of tools. These vehicles are based on a proven design that offers a high level of crew protection against explosive blast and ballistic threats.

The Buffalo uses its extendable arm to physically expose the potential target for verification.

The Canadian Army Husky

A Canadian Army Husky. Photo: Canadian Army

The Husky is the first vehicle in the Expedient Route Opening Capability suite of vehicles and equipment, which support the detection, investigation and disposal of buried improvised explosive devices (IED). IEDs became the weapon of choice against Canadian Armed Forces deployed in Afghanistan.

The Expedient Route Opening Capability (EROC) Team is normally comprised of a section of engineers operating two Huskies, a Buffalo and a Cougar. The Husky is used to detect possible threats, the Buffalo is used to investigate what was detected, and the Cougar transports the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operators and their vast array of tools. These vehicles are based on a proven design that offers a high level of crew protection against explosive blast and ballistic threats.

The Husky possesses a landmine overpass capacity and is mounted with a full-width metal detector and a ground penetrating radar (GPR).

Canada in Iraq: RCAF Targets 3 ISIS Fighting Positions near Haditha and Ramadi

In a statement on it's OP IMPACT webpage, DND announced that on 7 January 2016, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck two ISIS fighting positions southeast of Haditha using precision guided munitions.

Also on 7 January 2016, while taking part in coalition airstrikes in support of Iraqi security forces operations to clear ISIS from Ramadi, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS facility used as a staging area and for vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED) storage in Ramadi using precision guided munitions.

Canada in Iraq: RCAF Conduct 4 Airstrikes near Haditha against ISIS Targets

In a press release on it's OP IMPACT webpage, DND announced that on 6 January 2016, while taking part in coalition airstrikes in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck three ISIS vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and one ISIS vehicle southeast of Haditha using precision guided munitions.

The RCAF has increased its presence in the US-led coalition. Through the month of December, the RCAF dropped more bombs than days. RCAF CF-18s dropped 32 precision-guided bombs on Islamic State forces over a 30-day period. As of Dec. 1, 2015, the total number of bombs dropped by CF-18s during the entire Operation Impact was 514, according to statistics provided by the Canadian Forces to Defence Watch. As of Dec. 31 that had increased to 546, the Canadian Forces noted in updated stats provided Wednesday.

Canada in Iraq: 4 RCAF Thanksgiving Airstrikes against ISIS

This Thanksgiving Weekend, the RCAF has struck 4 ISIS positions. 

On 11 Oct 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position northeast of Tal Afar using precision guided munitions.

On 10 October 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck two vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) northeast of Ramadi using precision guided munitions.

On 10 October 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position northeast of Tal Afar using precision guided munitions

Canada in Iraq: CF-18's Bomb ISIS IED Factory

The RCAF did not take a break over the Easter Weekend in its fight against ISIS. While taking part in a coalition operation with Iraqi forces on the ground, CF-18's successfully targeted an ISIS IED factory near Mosul, Iraq on Saturday. No further details were released by DND.

Canada in Iraq - CF-18s Bomb ISIS IED Factory

DND Released this afternoon that RCAF CF-18's bombed an ISIS Improvised Explosive Device factory on February 13 2015 near Hit, Iraq.

A RCAF CC-130 Polaris refuels an RAAF (Australian Air Force) Super Hornet F/A-18 on Feb 13 2015. Photo: CF Combat Camera DND