DND Press Release
By: Capt Matt Zalot, Public Affairs Officer, Joint Task Force Iraq Detachment Erbil (JTF-I Erbil)
Major Mathieu Bertrand assumed command of the Operation IMPACT Tactical Aviation Detachment in Northern Iraq from Lieutenant-Colonel Carol Potvin at a ceremony on January 14, 2017. Major Bertrand previously served as the detachment’s Operations Officer and Deputy Commanding Officer.
Colonel Luc Guillette, Commander of Air Task Force-Iraq, presided over the change-of-command ceremony, which took place at Canadian Camp Érable near Erbil, Iraq. During the ceremony, Lieutenant-Colonel Potvin spoke briefly about the work performed by the squadron during his watch. Major Bertrand also spoke to the attendees, noting the need to build on past accomplishments for future missions.
“The Tactical Aviation Detachment will continue to play an important role in the advise and assist mission to counter Daesh,” said Major Bertrand. “We have all made a contribution to the Coalition’s efforts and the squadron will continue to work hard and build on our previous successes.”
Major Bertrand joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1999 and has amassed significant experience in the world of search and rescue. He served at 439 Combat Support Squadron, based out of Bagotville, Quebec, before being posted to 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Valcartier, Quebec. As part of 430 Squadron he served in Afghanistan and Haiti. Before his deployment to Iraq, he served as Detachment Commander and Deputy Commander for Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre Quebec.
Since October 6, 2016, when they took over from 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, 430 Squadron has been leading the Royal Canadian Air Force’s tactical aviation efforts in Erbil, Iraq. The CH-146 Griffon helicopters provide tactical transport of Canadian troops, equipment, and supplies.
Canada remains a committed partner to the Global Coalition against Daesh. As part of Joint Task Force-Iraq, Air Task Force-Iraq contributes to Coalition air operations against Daesh to improve security in Iraq and in the region.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Ex. CUTLASS EXPRESS Begins
DND Press Release
Canadian Armed Forces members on Operation ARTEMIS are deploying to eastern Africa and island nations in the Indian Ocean as part of Exercise CUTLASS EXPRESS (CE) 17. CE 17 is taking place in Djibouti (Djibouti), Port Louis (Mauritius), Mombasa (Kenya) and Antsiranana (Madagascar), from January 30 to February 8, 2017.
CE 17, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and conducted by Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), aims to assess and improve international maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security in eastern Africa, inform planning and operations, and shape Security Force Assistance efforts. CAF personnel, along with their Australian team members comprise Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150). CTF 150 is the Combined Maritime Forces’ lead for this exercise.
CAF personnel will deploy in a variety of roles across the CE 17 locations. In addition, members of the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Mounted Police will also participate as advisors, mentors and subject matter experts to enhance CE 17 exercise scenarios with the goal of developing enduring capacity building in eastern African nearby island nations.
Canadian Armed Forces members on Operation ARTEMIS are deploying to eastern Africa and island nations in the Indian Ocean as part of Exercise CUTLASS EXPRESS (CE) 17. CE 17 is taking place in Djibouti (Djibouti), Port Louis (Mauritius), Mombasa (Kenya) and Antsiranana (Madagascar), from January 30 to February 8, 2017.
CE 17, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and conducted by Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), aims to assess and improve international maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security in eastern Africa, inform planning and operations, and shape Security Force Assistance efforts. CAF personnel, along with their Australian team members comprise Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150). CTF 150 is the Combined Maritime Forces’ lead for this exercise.
CAF personnel will deploy in a variety of roles across the CE 17 locations. In addition, members of the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Mounted Police will also participate as advisors, mentors and subject matter experts to enhance CE 17 exercise scenarios with the goal of developing enduring capacity building in eastern African nearby island nations.
SOR already written for permanent CF-18 replacement - Yet Interim Replacement Happening
By: David Pugliese, Defence Watch
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced on Nov. 22, 2016 that the Liberal government would move ahead with the purchase of a permanent fleet to replace the CF-18s. This is in addition to the acquisition of 18 Super Hornet fighter jets in the interim to deal with what Sajjan claims is a capability gap.
How far along is the process on the acquisition for the permanent fleet?
This statement was recently filed in Parliament by the Department of National Defence:
“The requirements have been reviewed to ensure the Government of Canada acquires the right aircraft for Canada. A new Statement of Operational Requirement (SOR} was developed by the Future Fighter Capability Project staff to reflect Government policy. The revised requirements were derived by examining the current and potential roles and missions the fleet could be asked to fulfill. The new SOR was signed by the Commander of the RCAF on 15 September, 2016.”
So a SOR is ready and signed off, the first major step in a getting a new jet. Drawing up draft request for proposals and then the final request for proposals should quickly follow.
But don’t expect that to happen, say DND sources.
The Liberal government intends to drag this out as long as possible, they added.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced on Nov. 22, 2016 that the Liberal government would move ahead with the purchase of a permanent fleet to replace the CF-18s. This is in addition to the acquisition of 18 Super Hornet fighter jets in the interim to deal with what Sajjan claims is a capability gap.
How far along is the process on the acquisition for the permanent fleet?
This statement was recently filed in Parliament by the Department of National Defence:
“The requirements have been reviewed to ensure the Government of Canada acquires the right aircraft for Canada. A new Statement of Operational Requirement (SOR} was developed by the Future Fighter Capability Project staff to reflect Government policy. The revised requirements were derived by examining the current and potential roles and missions the fleet could be asked to fulfill. The new SOR was signed by the Commander of the RCAF on 15 September, 2016.”
So a SOR is ready and signed off, the first major step in a getting a new jet. Drawing up draft request for proposals and then the final request for proposals should quickly follow.
But don’t expect that to happen, say DND sources.
The Liberal government intends to drag this out as long as possible, they added.
Irving Shipbuilding consults with Ottawa on frigate design delay
By: Murray Brewster, CBC News
The Trudeau government is considering an extension to a call for bids from defence contractors interested in designing and equipping Canada's next generation of combat ships.
Last fall, the federal cabinet approved the release of a long-anticipated request for proposals for an off-the-shelf warship design and combat systems.
Pre-qualified defence companies lined up for the opportunity to participate in the program, which is expected to run up to $40 billion over three decades.
A deadline of April 27 was set for bidders to submit their plans to Irving Shipbuilding Inc., which was selected in 2015 as the prime contractor.
The Halifax-based company is the federal government's go-to yard for combat ships under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
But almost from the outset the competition, many of the warship designers complained about what they see as a tight turnaround time, even though the project has been in the industry consultation stage for years.
The notion of an extension is being examined, said Kevin McCoy, president of Irving Shipbuilding.
Ottawa to decide
"It's something we're in consultation with Canada on," he said in an interview Thursday.
"It'll be the government's decision. They'll get a recommendation from us, but we'll arrive at the right answer."
McCoy would not say whether Irving has asked for an extension or how many of the bidders have asked for extra time.
He did, however, downplay the discord among the notoriously cutthroat contenders.
"This is normal in a complex procurement that people think they need more time for a whole host of reasons," said McCoy, who testified before the House of Commons defence committee on Thursday.
A published report two weeks ago in The National Post — citing unnamed sources — said two of the bidders had asked that the entire process be delayed, and two others were considering such a request, in the aftermath of the suspension of the military's deputy commander.
Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was ordered to hand over his duties on Jan. 13 and is apparently under RCMP investigation for allegedly leaking classified information that may be related to shipbuilding.
McCoy said Irving Shipbuilding has no knowledge about what is being investigated, nor has there been an effect on the bidding process.
"It's really not an issue in the [Canadian Surface Combatant] deliberations right now," he said.
Timing crucial
However, if the federal government does grant an extension to the bidding deadline, it raises concerns about keeping the frigate replacement program on track.
One of the questions officials are grappling with is how a delay might affect construction of the new warships, which are meant to replace the navy's 12 Halifax-class patrol frigates built in the 1990s.
The Irving-owned yard is slated to finish work on the navy's Arctic offshore patrol ships in 2019-20 and transition to the surface combatant project.
"We're very mindful of gap," said McCoy, who added work interruption raises the possibility of losing trained shipyard workers to other industrial sectors. "It's one of things we're constantly talking to the government about."
But he said the frigate replacement program is too important to rush.
"We've got to get the procurement right," McCoy said. "We want good submissions. We want the field to be well-represented and we want industry to feel they have been treated fairly."
The Trudeau government is considering an extension to a call for bids from defence contractors interested in designing and equipping Canada's next generation of combat ships.
Last fall, the federal cabinet approved the release of a long-anticipated request for proposals for an off-the-shelf warship design and combat systems.
Pre-qualified defence companies lined up for the opportunity to participate in the program, which is expected to run up to $40 billion over three decades.
A deadline of April 27 was set for bidders to submit their plans to Irving Shipbuilding Inc., which was selected in 2015 as the prime contractor.
The Halifax-based company is the federal government's go-to yard for combat ships under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
But almost from the outset the competition, many of the warship designers complained about what they see as a tight turnaround time, even though the project has been in the industry consultation stage for years.
The notion of an extension is being examined, said Kevin McCoy, president of Irving Shipbuilding.
Ottawa to decide
"It's something we're in consultation with Canada on," he said in an interview Thursday.
"It'll be the government's decision. They'll get a recommendation from us, but we'll arrive at the right answer."
McCoy would not say whether Irving has asked for an extension or how many of the bidders have asked for extra time.
He did, however, downplay the discord among the notoriously cutthroat contenders.
"This is normal in a complex procurement that people think they need more time for a whole host of reasons," said McCoy, who testified before the House of Commons defence committee on Thursday.
A published report two weeks ago in The National Post — citing unnamed sources — said two of the bidders had asked that the entire process be delayed, and two others were considering such a request, in the aftermath of the suspension of the military's deputy commander.
Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was ordered to hand over his duties on Jan. 13 and is apparently under RCMP investigation for allegedly leaking classified information that may be related to shipbuilding.
McCoy said Irving Shipbuilding has no knowledge about what is being investigated, nor has there been an effect on the bidding process.
"It's really not an issue in the [Canadian Surface Combatant] deliberations right now," he said.
Timing crucial
However, if the federal government does grant an extension to the bidding deadline, it raises concerns about keeping the frigate replacement program on track.
One of the questions officials are grappling with is how a delay might affect construction of the new warships, which are meant to replace the navy's 12 Halifax-class patrol frigates built in the 1990s.
The Irving-owned yard is slated to finish work on the navy's Arctic offshore patrol ships in 2019-20 and transition to the surface combatant project.
"We're very mindful of gap," said McCoy, who added work interruption raises the possibility of losing trained shipyard workers to other industrial sectors. "It's one of things we're constantly talking to the government about."
But he said the frigate replacement program is too important to rush.
"We've got to get the procurement right," McCoy said. "We want good submissions. We want the field to be well-represented and we want industry to feel they have been treated fairly."
Liberals admit ‘interim’ Super Hornet jets may only fly for 12 years, despite costing billions
By: David Pugliese, The National Post
The Super Hornet jets the Liberal government is spending billions of dollars to purchase could be flying for as little as 12 to 15 years before they are taken out of service.
There had been some suggestions by analysts and, privately by military officers, that the Super Hornets could be kept flying, along with the new aircraft the government intends to purchase as a replacement for the CF-18s in the late 2020s.
But the operational life of the Super Hornets, expected to arrive sometime after 2019, will be limited, unlike the current CF-18s that have been flying for more than three decades, the Liberals confirm.
“The operational life span of the Super Hornet fleet will start at the delivery and not end before the completion of the transition to the CF-18 permanent replacement aircraft,” Harjit Sajjan noted in a written response to a question asked by Conservative MP Diane Finley.
Sajjan has said the government wants to get a permanent fleet delivered as quickly as possible, with some estimates putting that by 2029 or as late as 2032.
But Conservative defence critic James Bezan said Sajjan’s answer to Finley shows the Super Hornet purchase is a waste of money. “If they are going to use them for only 12 years, then this is a very expensive option that makes absolutely no sense,” Bezan said Thursday.
He said a better move would be to dump the Super Hornet deal, estimated to cost between $5 billion and $7 billion, and immediately run a competition for a permanent fighter jet fleet.
“You could have your new fleet delivered and operating quickly without having to go this route of an interim fighter,” he said.
Sajjan announced in November the government’s decision to buy 18 Boeing Super Hornets as “interim” fighter jets until a permanent replacement for the existing CF-18 aircraft could be bought.
The Liberals said Canada is facing a capability gap because it doesn’t have enough fighter jets to fulfill its military missions, a situation Sajjan has blamed on the previous Conservative government for bungling the project to replace the aging CF-18s.
But Bezan has questioned the Liberal claim that the CF-18s are on their last legs. He has pointed out that military officers have stated those jets can operate effectively until 2025, more than enough time for a permanent replacement to be bought.
In addition, Defence department officials had earlier warned against buying an interim fighter jet. But the report containing those warnings, which had been on the department’s website for more than a year, was quietly removed after the Liberal government announced its Super Hornet purchase.
The Defence Research and Development Canada report recommended against the purchase of such “bridging” aircraft to deal with gaps in capability. “The costs involved with bridging options make them unsuitable for filling capability gaps in the short term,” according to the report. “Any short-term investment results in disproportionately high costs during the bridging period.”
The Liberal government has acknowledged the decision to buy the 18 Super Hornets will cost more in the long run but they haven’t provided details on what that amount might be.
There is currently no price tag, Sajjan said Tuesday. “Once we have gone through the right process, have all the necessary information, then we’ll have an actual price tag.”
The Super Hornet jets the Liberal government is spending billions of dollars to purchase could be flying for as little as 12 to 15 years before they are taken out of service.
There had been some suggestions by analysts and, privately by military officers, that the Super Hornets could be kept flying, along with the new aircraft the government intends to purchase as a replacement for the CF-18s in the late 2020s.
But the operational life of the Super Hornets, expected to arrive sometime after 2019, will be limited, unlike the current CF-18s that have been flying for more than three decades, the Liberals confirm.
“The operational life span of the Super Hornet fleet will start at the delivery and not end before the completion of the transition to the CF-18 permanent replacement aircraft,” Harjit Sajjan noted in a written response to a question asked by Conservative MP Diane Finley.
Sajjan has said the government wants to get a permanent fleet delivered as quickly as possible, with some estimates putting that by 2029 or as late as 2032.
But Conservative defence critic James Bezan said Sajjan’s answer to Finley shows the Super Hornet purchase is a waste of money. “If they are going to use them for only 12 years, then this is a very expensive option that makes absolutely no sense,” Bezan said Thursday.
He said a better move would be to dump the Super Hornet deal, estimated to cost between $5 billion and $7 billion, and immediately run a competition for a permanent fighter jet fleet.
“You could have your new fleet delivered and operating quickly without having to go this route of an interim fighter,” he said.
Sajjan announced in November the government’s decision to buy 18 Boeing Super Hornets as “interim” fighter jets until a permanent replacement for the existing CF-18 aircraft could be bought.
The Liberals said Canada is facing a capability gap because it doesn’t have enough fighter jets to fulfill its military missions, a situation Sajjan has blamed on the previous Conservative government for bungling the project to replace the aging CF-18s.
But Bezan has questioned the Liberal claim that the CF-18s are on their last legs. He has pointed out that military officers have stated those jets can operate effectively until 2025, more than enough time for a permanent replacement to be bought.
In addition, Defence department officials had earlier warned against buying an interim fighter jet. But the report containing those warnings, which had been on the department’s website for more than a year, was quietly removed after the Liberal government announced its Super Hornet purchase.
The Defence Research and Development Canada report recommended against the purchase of such “bridging” aircraft to deal with gaps in capability. “The costs involved with bridging options make them unsuitable for filling capability gaps in the short term,” according to the report. “Any short-term investment results in disproportionately high costs during the bridging period.”
The Liberal government has acknowledged the decision to buy the 18 Super Hornets will cost more in the long run but they haven’t provided details on what that amount might be.
There is currently no price tag, Sajjan said Tuesday. “Once we have gone through the right process, have all the necessary information, then we’ll have an actual price tag.”
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