Conflict In The North

Merry Christmas & Remembering Those Who Serve

2011-12-26T05:53:00.000-08:00

I think Tim Dunne, a Halifax-based communications consultant and military

affairs analyst, a Research Fellow with Dalhousie University’s Centre for Foreign Policy Studies and a member of the Royal United Services Institute (NS) Security Affairs Committee said it best in his article published in the Halifax Chronicle Herald on December 21st, 2011:

The song I’ll Be Home For Christmas has become hugely significant for anyone away from home during the holiday season, but there are many who won’t be joining their families for gift-opening around the tree and the family Christmas dinner.

Canadian Forces members travel extensively to exotic areas of the world, but seldom to tourist destinations. The duties and responsibilities of our military personnel are often physically dangerous and emotionally challenging. Fortunately for many of us, these situations can be crowded out of our thoughts at this time of year as we are surrounded by family and friends.

As we begin our Christmas celebrations, there are almost 1,300 fellow Canadians on military operations and peacekeeping missions far away, where Christmas traditions are often unknown and unwelcome.

•While combat operations are over in Afghanistan, 920 military members are participating in the NATO training mission in Kabul, code-named Operation Attention.

•Seven are assigned to Canada’s liaison team at the headquarters of U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla. — Operation Foundation.

•Five are with Operation Hamlet in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

•Nine are with Operation Sculpture, serving with the British-led military advisory and training mission in Sierra Leone.

•Six are serving with Operation Saturn, in support of the United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur.

•Nine are assigned to Operation Crocodile, the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

•Fourteen are with Operation Soprano in the Republic of South Sudan.

•HMCS Vancouver and her 250 crewmembers are serving with Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s fight against terrorism, to detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity in the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar.

•Twenty-eight are with Operation Calument, Canada’s contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers at El Gorah, in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

•Three are with Operation Gladius, Canada’s contribution to the UN Disengagement Observer Force on the Israeli-Syrian border.

•Eighteen, in Operation Proteus, are working with the office of the U.S. Security Co-ordinator to build security capacity in the Palestinian Authority.

•Eight, with Operation Jade, are Canadian military observers with the Truce Supervisory Organization in the Middle East, the UN’s oldest peace support mission.

•One is with Operation Snowgoose, Canada’s contribution to the UN force in Cyprus.

•And five are assigned to Operation Kobold, the NATO force in Kosovo.

Even among those serving within Canada, many hundreds do not have the opportunity to join their families for Christmas dinner.

While almost all ships of the Royal Canadian Navy are moored to their jetties during the holiday season, none can be left unattended. Mandatory duty watches can consist of up to 10 per cent of the ships’ crews, and these duty watches rotate daily. Each of our 12 frigates has a crew of about 250 men and women.

Because Canada’s military must be available to respond to any emergency and crisis when called upon, there is a network of duty watches at army, navy and air force operations centres throughout Canada: at National Defence Headquarters; at the two RCN headquarters in Halifax and Victoria, B.C.; at the four Canadian Army headquarters in Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax; and the Royal Canadian Air Force Combined Air Operations Centre in Winnipeg.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centres in Victoria, B.C., Trenton, Ont., and Halifax, with their Canadian Forces and Canadian Coast Guard staff members, are other agencies that must maintain continuing vigilance.

These operations centres work around the clock each and every day to ensure that the Canadian Forces maintain a situational awareness of everything that is happening within Canada, in our airspace and near our shorelines that might affect the nation’s security or require emergency services best provided by the military.

As well, each Canadian Forces base and station has a duty officer who is required to remain on base for the full 24-hour period during which she or he is assigned these responsibilities. The duty officer is the commanding officer’s representative and this assignment is in addition to the officer’s normal duties.

Like hospitals, police and fire services, Canada’s military must be alert to threats and emergencies which might affect the security of the nation or put human life in jeopardy — all day, every day.

The image at the top right is a 416(AW) Squadron CF-101B Voodoo Interceptor at CFB Chatham, New Brunswick, during the Cold War. Now, as they did then, members of Canada's Armed Services stand guard to protect us regardless of the season.

Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year!

www.daniellittle.com

What Were They Thinking?

2011-11-22T06:57:00.000-08:00

When Halifax city council made the decision to evict the ‘Occupy Halifax’ protesters from Victoria Park, what were they thinking? Oh wait, I don’t mean that it was a bad idea. This is one of the rare occasions when I fully support a decision made by Peter Kelly and friends.

I wonder what they were thinking however, after they made the decision. Were they imagining the ‘worst-case’ scenario; cars burning, serious injuries amongst protestors and police, dozens of arrests, windows smashed and businesses looted in Halifax’s historical shopping district?

Did even one of them dare to imagine that no one would be seriously hurt, only a few arrests would take place and other than a bit of landscaping torn up, there would be no property damage at all?

In what had to be a perfect example for police departments everywhere, the Halifax Police force, seeking to confront the protestors before they had entrenched themselves back into the heart of Halifax’s downtown business and shopping district, chose the middle of a severe wind and rain storm to make their move. That strategy saved time, money, perhaps lives and definitely property.

There is no question that any advance warning to the protestors, in the form of a notice, would have resulted in a Saturday afternoon free-for-all with their numbers gorged by the inclusion of the usual suspects who live for that sort of thing (Surely, I am not the only one who notices the same faces in so many of Halifax’s protests – no matter what the subject matter).

All in all, this was a text book ending to a sad situation. The original ‘Occupy Halifax’ protest was well supported and probably would have ended in a week or so as the occupants saw their message splashed all over the media. Sadly, it was hi-jacked by street slime and unions, who are themselves corporations making money off the backs of workers, usually with little in return.

As in every other city and town around the world, Halifax’s city council said enough is enough and made the tough, proper decision to end it.

What surprises me, although it probably shouldn’t, is the amount of back stabbing from certain councilors (the usual suspects here too), who along with his detractors, are now trying to turn the decision into a bad move by Mayor Peter Kelly. Even worse, the Nova Scotia provincial government, who has no business commenting, decided to step in with their opinion, suggesting that negotiations would have won the day. I would advise them to sit at their little desks and watch the news over the coming weeks as city after city deals with this issue. It will be interesting to see how many have as little collateral damage as we did here in Halifax.

As for the whiner’s other main complaint; the police making their move on Remembrance Day; I don’t know about you, but since one of the things we commemorate on that day is the liberation of occupied cities by our brave troops, perhaps it was the perfect day for this to happen.

Daniel L Little
www.daniellittle.com

Remember to Remember

2011-11-09T17:27:00.000-08:00

Another Remembrance Day will soon be here and once again I ask that you take a moment to stop and give a quiet moment of thanks for those who sacrificed everything that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today, and especially give thanks to the veterans you might run into who endured things you will never, ever imagine to give you that freedom.
I know, SOME younger people question what we are giving thanks for. In their minds, the world is a horrible, warlike place and whatever sacrifices were made have certainly not brought peace to the world or enriched their lives.

It is so frustrating to hear some of them (again – SOME) go on and on about how the government did this or didn’t do that, or how their lives are so miserable because they couldn’t find a summer job this year and the neat new accessories they wanted to purchase for their iWhatevers or PS3’s or Xboxes are so expensive!

SOME of them go on about the war in Afghanistan or Libya and blame them on our government or the ‘oil corporations’ while conveniently ignoring that Canadians have been fighting and dying to restore peace to those far off lands, not for oil – news flash! – we have oil! But rather for the good of the people there.

Stepping back for a moment, I guess I can bring myself to understand where they’re coming from. Now wait, before you try to tar and feather me, think about it for a moment. All they hear from most news media outlets is how some politician did this or that and how we blindly fallow the Americans no matter what.

Do these young people know the cold chill of an air raid siren’s wail, warning that waves of bombers are about to drop tons of bombs on the very town or city they live in?

Have they ever had a teacher suddenly shout, Duck and cover!’ sending them to crouch under their school desks while they picture the infamous video of a house, first turning black from the heat and then disintegrating as the blast from a nuclear explosion hits it and wonder if that is what is about to happen to them?

Have they watched as the young girl who lived next door DARED to show up at school one day, only to be drug from the building and…

No, for most of them, the biggest problem they’ve had to endure recently was their Blackberry’s not working for a day or two. They fight back against what they think are horrible lives by ‘occupying’ places while claiming it is their way of changing things. And yet, how many of these people voted in the last election, or the one before that, or ever?

Hopefully, if they happen across a veteran who might have suffered horrible burns during WW-II while piloting a Hurricane or Spitfire, defending that city or town from those bombers, or a veteran from the Korean War who may have crouched in a foxhole on some frozen hill, waiting for hoards of men intent on killing him to rush his position, they will thank them.

Or if they run into a veteran who might have endured isolation and cold you can’t imagine while manning a radar station in the frozen Canadian north, making sure the bomber carrying that nuclear weapon didn’t obliterate their children’s school, or a younger veteran, perhaps their own age, whose eyes show a pain they will never understand, because they saw what happened to that little girl who dared go to school, they will thank them.

But please, don’t complain about your Blackberry not working right, or if you do, understand why they look at you sadly and walk away.

We live in the best country in the world at the best time, but damn it all, most of us are simply too spoiled rotten to realize it.

http://www.daniellittle.com/

Halifax Shipyards & Atlantic Canada Win! (and something about nuclear submarines)

2011-10-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

I think I’m still in shock. Halifax really did win the contract for building the bulk of new warships for the Royal Canadian Navy and there was virtually no fallout from the decision. So, to reiterate, the selection of shipyards was based purely on merit – which yard could do the job best - and NOT based on politics. I wanted to wait before commenting because I was sure there would be fallout or a re-examination of the decision process or…something! But no, other than the interim NDP leader’s comments - what choice did she have being where their power base is now - nothing. Everyone seemed to look at the decision and simply say, ‘Yup, makes sense to me.’

Forgive me for being sceptical, but in spite of never doubting for a moment that Halifax Shipyards was obviously the best choice, having seen what’s happened in the past, I honestly expected the contract would go to Quebec. Especially with the 11th hour ‘dealing’ that was going on with Davie Shipyards and the extension added to the submission deadline so they could throw together a bid.

Like most of you who may have watched the decision announcement on television, I held my breath; knowing what should happen but hoping we here in the land of Bluenoser’s would receive at least the second, smaller contract. There was a moment’s hesitation as the translations were being messed up as usual, but the site of everyone literally going nuts at the Halifax Shipyard made me realize that what I had thought impossible had just happened.

A Canadian Federal Government had decided that enough was enough and had ensured the contract – the largest ever in Canada – would go where it SHOULD go and followed through to make sure that would happen.

What this will mean to Nova Scotia and indeed all of Atlantic Canada has been well documented so I won’t go into that here. Suffice it to say that the Royal Canadian Navy can be assured that they will once again be sailing the BEST warships in the world if they are sent in harms way.

Oh, and the peaceniks of course aren’t happy. They are already out there with their screams of, ‘Imagine what that money would buy…’ They are right of course. Imagine what that money could buy in a perfect world. It would be wonderful to see it poured all over the 99% (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself) but our world is far from perfect and we need to make sure that we have the ability to defend our freedoms and values – oh, and their right to complain about our military defending their right to…well, you get the picture.

In a 'slightly' related story, the CBC yesterday (October 28th) announced that the Harper Government was looking at buying nuclear submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. That will teach Minister of Defence, Peter MacKay to dare verbalize his dreams. A mere suggestion of his sent our national broadcaster into a fury and the comments on their website were totally insane. Canada of course, is not buying nuclear submarines, but on the other hand, it was kind of fun to watch people who hadn’t bothered to read through the whole article dive off the deep end.

Of course many of them went on the usual rant about how Canada has never been involved with nuclear weapons and why would we start now. I would ask them to Google Canadian Nuclear Weapons. I would also suggest thet they be sure to sit down when you do because if Peter MacKay’s musing set them off, they’re really not going to like what they find out about our 'Peace Keeping' efforts during the Cold War.

http://www.daniellittle.com/

HMCS Corner Brook Oops! & Aussie Boats

2011-06-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

Canada’s purchase of all four Upholder Class diesel electric (SSK) submarines from Britain has been both criticized and ridiculed since the first boat arrived in Canada.

First came the argument that they had sat for too long and would never become operational without a tremendous amount of work and money, by which time they would be useless. Monetary commitments in other areas of Canada’s military has slowed the progress on the boat’s becoming fully operational, but finally, all except HMCS Chicoutimi are heading in the right direction. HMCS Victoria is working up after her long refit, making room for HMCS Corner Brook, the current star of the group to enter her refit after spending a few years traveling far and wide and capturing that all important periscope shot of a ‘target’ in the form of a British aircraft carrier through her periscope. Surely that dissuaded the nay sayers as to the boat’s capabilities once and for all.

My favourite argument however has always been why didn’t we just build our own? That is a nice dream, but given the highly technical skill sets required to construct modern submarines, there was no possibility Canada would be able to manage that feat nor should we have spent the vast resources to attempt it.

In case anyone needs further convincing in regards to that, one only has to look at the other Country who contemplated purchasing the British submarines. Australia thought it over and decided to skip the Upholders’ and instead embarked on an ambitious plan to construct six units of the Collins class SSK’s.

I’ll let this article titled ‘Not a single submarine seaworthy’ tell the rest of the story - click the link to view the story from Australian National Affairs. Canada made a great deal and even with one boat currently in the water is in better shape than Australia with its six boats in various stages on inoperability.

HMCS Corner Brook recently made the news again by hitting bottom while on a training cruise. I’ve read that if you haven’t done that, you’re not trying hard enough. Personally, that’s more excitement than I’d want to experience submerged but I’m sure once Corner Brook sets sail after her refit, she and her crew will continue with their steady stream of underwater adventures.

www.daniellittle.com

A Conservative Majority Means A Safe & Secure Canada

2011-05-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

There can be no doubt that the men and women of Canada’s military forces must be
breathing a collective sigh of relief these days. Thankfully, Canadian voters have sent a clear message to our government that threats to cancel the weapons such as the CF-35 Lightning II used by the members of the Canadian forces to protect our freedoms and the freedoms of those too weak to protect their own will not be condoned.

To suggest that we would send them in harms way with second rate equipment was not palatable by anyone except for a few party leaders trying to gain popularity with that minority of people who shun the very thing that protects their freedoms. I dread to think what a Liberal government would have had our air force flying into combat zones.

Meet the CF-35 Lightning II! One of the most advanced aircraft flying today and one we can feel secure that our pilots will be safe to fly in while protecting Canada’s interest at home and abroad.

Click here to visit the National Defence website’s information on this incredible aircraft.

Visit my website at http://conflictinthenorth.com/

Election Called While Canadian Air Force & Navy in Libya

2011-03-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

CF-18 Hornet over Yarmouth, NS

While our brave men and women of the Canadian Air Force along with the Canadian Navy crew aboard HMCS Charlottetown are helping to protect innocent civilians in Libya, Canada is about to go through yet another useless election.

As much as I love democracy, I hate to see it abused by someone with an ego so huge, he is demanding an election at a time when all the polls (including his own) show him at rock bottom in popularity, with his party not far behind.

Ironically, he also intends to cancel the new replacement for the CF-18 Hornet aircraft we have just sent to the Libya war zone, complaining that it is too expensive and we can find something cheaper for the men and women who place their lives in danger while protecting us.

Surely they do not need stealth capability, Iggy argues, before adding, Why, these aircraft were not even tendered!

I guess his defense critic either doesn’t know, or doesn’t dare inform his leader that no one tenders modern fighter aircraft anymore. They are far too complex and expensive for any one company to produce.

Better yet, I am sure no one in the Liberal Party dares to walk up and whisper in his ear, Er…boss…we were the ones who signed on for the CF-35. It wasn’t the Conservatives.

So here we have what is unquestionably the best choice for the Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 Hornet replacement placed in jeopardy by someone with an ego that is clearly controlling his thoughts and emotions. Unbelievably, he is willing to remove Canada from an agreement which will cost us millions of dollars in future jobs for Canadians in the aerospace industry, not to mention our credibility worldwide.

Wait…do you feel it too? A feeling of déjà vu?

Of course! This is the same party (although with a different ego…er…leader) that cancelled the Sea King helicopter replacement, costing Canadian taxpayers millions, and the replacement STILL isn’t here yet putting the lives of Sea King pilots and crew in jeopardy! Thankfully, after picking up the pieces from that mess, the Stephen Harper Conservative Government has the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclones on the way.

And they say lightning can’t strike twice in the same place.

Try telling that to the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces. The ONLY thing that scares those incredible people is the election of a Liberal government with the massive defense cuts that always follow.

Remember this when you vote on Election Day but more importantly, always remember the sacrifices made by so many who have given everything, that we may enjoy that right.

Also, remember the men and women who right now, as you read this, are out there ensuring your rights and freedoms remain safe.

Visit me at http://www.daniellittle.com/

Bob Rae Coincidence

2011-03-08T16:36:00.000-08:00

I was reading the news online today and ran into a pretty neat coincidence. Some guy named Bob Rae is upset that the Conservative Party of Canada is not doing enough about the ongoing crises in Libya. Bob is saying that we should be doing more and doing it right now. His suggestion, and it’s a good one, is to enact a no-fly zone over the embattled country to protect the people risking their lives to overthrow the regime there. Bob also thinks Canada should send its air force to Libya to take part in the battle.

Now seriously, how odd is it that someone with the same name as the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party who has gone on record agreeing to immediately cancel the CF-35 Lightning II, the replacement for Canada’s aging CF-18 Hornets, if his party (shudder) comes to power would be suggesting that?

The Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre HAS to be concerned that someone will mistakenly think that it was him making these suggestions. Since the Liberal’s biggest (only?) arguments against the CF-35 acquisition are ‘What do we need it for?’ and ‘Why would we need a stealthy airplane anyway?’ you can bet there is no way ANY Liberal is about to suggest our pilots be sent anywhere near a war zone where they would be up against aircraft and weapons from the same era as theirs! Why, that would make the CF-35 purchase make total sense!

Ah, if only it was the same Bob Rae. Wouldn’t we all have a great laugh over that? Imagine, the Liberals whose only real historical claim to fame has been the repeated rape of the Canadian Armed Forces being publically embarrassed because its Deputy Leader no less, has made his boss look stupid.

Side note to Iggy:

Listen, you and your cohorts do not have the right to suggest our Canadian Forces be sent anywhere to do anything. Your party has not come close to earning that privaledge and if you want to start earning it; start right now by apologizing for even thinking that our men and women in uniform do not deserve the VERY best equipment we can afford.

http://conflictinthenorth.com/

...and so this is Christmas

2010-12-24T14:42:00.000-08:00

Once again it is that time of year when everything and everyone seems to be a little more at peace (Shopping malls excluded of course). I want to take this opportunity to wish all of the men and women serving in the various branches of the Canadian Forces & Coast Guard a Merry Christmas. No matter where you serve, from the headline making war in Afghanistan to the lowliest outpost in the north, know that you are remembered and thought of.

As NORAD tracks Santa on his trip around the world, it is comforting to know that I am protected by a dedicated group of people serving the best country in the world; from the Chief of the Defence Staff to the Canadian Ranger riding his snowmobile across the frozen north.

To those who serve and who have served, I thank you, and wish you the very best of the season and a prosperous and safe New Year.

Daniel L Little

Dang, lost another Poppy!

2010-11-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

Another Remembrance Day has come and gone. Some Canadians honoured our Veterans by wearing a Poppy – well, numerous Poppies as they were lost and replaced over the past couple of weeks. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from those easily lost Poppies…

Like the Poppies that seem so fragile as they hang from our clothing this time of year, the rights and freedoms bought for us by our Veterans are just as fragile and as with the Poppies, they can just as easily be lost if we become too complacent.

So as another Remembrance Day passes, don’t forget to remember our Veterans and those who still wear the uniform today defending our freedoms. Honour them, not just now, but all year long as the sacrifices made by so many did not take place on one day alone. Let us remember them every day and when you see a Veteran or member of the Canadian Armed Forces, thank them for their service or buy them a coffee. It’s the least we can do for all they have done.

And always remember how fragile that little Poppy was in November and how easily it slipped unnoticed from your clothing.

CF-35 Lightning II & People Complaining About A Lack of Tendering

2010-10-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

And so it begins. The Conservative
Government has announced the awarding of a maintenance contract to keep the CF-18 Hornets in the air until the new CF-35 Lightning II enters service. This of course has brought out the naysayers all over again who are continuing to demand that the new fighter jet should have been sent to tender or should be cancelled outright because we can’t afford it.

About four decades ago they would have been right. Back then, a few North American companies would have paraded out a new design, or perhaps even an old one that had been modernized. A few European manufacturers would have tossed their offerings into the hat and next thing you knew, there would have been a tidy little line up of choices to choose from.

Today it’s very different. Not only will no one manufacturer design and build a prototype which might not sell – not at the price these babies cost to R&D - but because of those costs, multiple manufacturers usually form a consortium to design and build a single aircraft which after intense study is determined to be what is needed.

Now, when a country’s government sees the need for a new aircraft in their future, they will usually do the same sort of thing and partner with other countries for the same reason – to save money with larger production numbers. This brings us to Canada acquiring the CF-35 Lightning II.

We did partner with a group of other countries – the manufacturers consorted and lo and behold, the F/CF-35 Lightning II was born. Is it the best in the world? Nope, the F-22 holds that title, but we really can’t afford those. Is it good enough? You’re darn right it is!

Do we really need it? Well, that depends. Do you think when the water, oil and other natural resources Canada is sitting on top of start to run out in the rest of the world, no one will try to come and take them from us? When you pull off those rose coloured glasses and think for a minute, it’ll hit you. You didn’t think it was about Russian bombers testing our northern defences that the defence minister was talking about, did you? It’s about what is UNDER the north that we need to protect or we’ll be watching Russian oil rigs popping up all over the place up there.

The CF-35 is the right aircraft at the right time for Canada and thank goodness that the Liberals figured that out a long time ago! Yeah, that’s right – that Canadian flag on the side of the Lightning II’s nose was not put there by the Conservatives looking for a photo op as so many would have you believe. But hey, the Conservatives are into it for our troops so if Iggy insists on blaming them for the decision to acquire this aircraft, no problem!

How sad for Iggy though – his party actually made a good decision – and he’s too pig headed to realize it, let alone take credit. Then again, those guys never were known as the people who worry about what our troops go to war in. They are good an cancelling things though – no matter the cost in dollars or soldiers lives put at risk.

The REAL winners here are the men and women who might some day have to defend our natural resources and the rights of Canadians to spout off about things without checking their facts, and they will be doing so in one of the world’s finest aircraft.

Oh, one last thing – the other choices if you REALLY want to insist on having one are two; a Russian aircraft – yeah, those guys who will be building oil rigs all over northern Canada…or…a neat European design that…well…sadly doesn’t do anything well. Check the flags on the F/CF-35 in the picture and you’ll note that most of those countries don’t think it does anything well either.

We all wish we could stop spending another dime on defence and put all that money into education and health care but the reality is that our right to have an education or expect health care is defended every day by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces.

You want to debate the military’s budget? Go debate it with them, but only if you can look them straight in the eye while doing so.

YOU can help the HMCS Ojibwa Museum Project

2010-07-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is an urgent message from Catherine Raven, asking for your help on the Ojibwa Project. You are requested to vote online if you support the project. See the details below.
------------------
Greetings Everyone,

I think many of you know that my brother is Executive Director and Curator of the Elgin Military Museum in St. Thomas, Ontario. They have received a large government grant to get the cold war submarine, HMCS Ojibwa and convert it to a museum. Port Stanley, while not the only option is a very good one but the editor of the Port Stanley News has not been very complimentary and it is creating excuses for delay. Delay is very detrimental to the project because the sub must get through the seaway before it closes for the winter. The grant expires next March 31st before the seaway opens again. I don't know if the newspaper just likes to oppose for the sake of raising issues or whether she does not like the project or many other projects that would bring anything new to the village. In any case, she is running a poll in the Port Stanley News and I would very much appreciate it if you would vote Yes. This is not something confined to villagers as it has important ramifications for the whole county. The Museum received the grant because their business plans forecast up to 40 full and part time jobs in a very depressed area. The proposed submarine museum affects both villager and visitor. So, if you have a moment, please register a yes vote at Port Stanley News

The voting button is on the left side of, and half way down, the webpage: Click here.

Thanks so very much,
Catherine Raven

Happy 100th Birthday to Canada's Navy

2010-05-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

One hundred years old.

For a person, 100 years of age is a seldom reached plateau. The Queen will send you a personal letter on your 100 birthday. How nice is that?

Some cars are still around from 100 years ago. We call them cars but really they are just wagons with motors and a simple drive system.

Those of us who are half that age can somewhat appreciate how long a time that represents. And even we think of 100 years and say, ‘Hey, that’s old!’

But what if we are talking about a navy?

100 years? Hey, someone wipe the snot off that kids nose!

In navy terms, 100 years old usually means that you’re just starting to think about puberty. The Brits would look down at you and sneer. ‘I say, you can’t SERIOUSLY be thinking of comparing yourself to US?’

Most of the world’s navies hanging around the 1st century mark would not dare do anything but bow when a warship of Her Majesty’s Navy sails past. Why even that relatively new guy on the block, the United States Navy demands and receives the respect of her fellow navies around the world.

No, those 100 year wonders would bow their heads, dip their flags and stand aside as those older, more experienced fellows sailed mightily past.

All except for one.

The Canadian Navy.

Pull up a chair and let me tell you a story about a kid who grew up fast. Who stepped up when the chips were down and said, ‘Excuse me, I’ll take a crack at that.’

World War I started and Canada was…well, let’s just say not ready yet. But those Canadians fought! Damn how they fought! If anyone did not learn to respect the lads manning the few ships of their own navy as well as those serving aboard Royal Navy warships at sea, they soon learned what Canadians could do in battle on the ground.

The older established navies raised an eyebrow and gave this mere baby of a naval force a second look, and then ignored it as the war drew to a close.

‘Who was that young lad back there in ’18,’ the old codgers sitting around in their over stuffed leather chairs would ask when talking of those great days of glory. ‘Can’t say I remember,’ was often the answer.

In 1939, the Royal Canadian Navy was still just a kid. He didn’t have much in the way to play with and again a war found him wanting. There was a difference this time however.

That old codger was not sitting back in his stuffy chair with an equally stuffy attitude looking around with pride at his mighty ships of the line which surrounded him. No, not this time. The Royal Navy still had a lot of ships, but too many of them dated back to that previous war and this time, against a strong and powerful foe, he found himself wanting.

Again, that frisky little kid from across the water stepped up. ‘Look Gramps,’ he said with a toothy grin. ‘You hang in there and we’ll be right over.’

‘Hmmpf,’ snorted the old man as he nervously fidgeted in his chair.

Sure enough, the mouthy little Commonwealth kid DID show up. He showed up with…

‘HA!’ The old RN senior nearly fell out of his chair laughing at the site of what the Canadian had shown up with. ‘I say! What the devil do you think you’ll do with those?!’

He pointed down at the fleet of little ships the Canadian had brought with him. They were already showing streaks of rust amongst damage caused by the battering they had taken while crossing the North Atlantic.

‘Look at that one there,’ the RN veteran laughed, medals clinking loudly on his chest. ‘I say! It looks like that one has a REAL gun!’

The Canadian looked up at the old man, and stood his ground. He knew this island nation was being threatened with starvation and needed his help. He also knew the Royal Navy was perhaps a little too steeped in tradition to appreciate that old adage about the amount of fight in the dog being more important than the size of the dog in the fight.

The rest of this story has been told over and over again. How those ‘little ships’ went to sea again and again with the most rag tag bunch of sailors to ever step foot on the deck of a warship.

How that old RN codger went from laughing at the little ships to looking anxiously for them. No longer laughing but now upon seeing one of the multi coloured little Corvettes steaming up the rows of ships in his convoy, breathing a sigh of relief. The Canadians were here – we’ll be okay now.

By the end of this war, that Canadian kid was the third largest on the block and did not have to look up to anybody. Hitler’s U-Boats had almost succeeded reaching their goal of starving out the island nation the old codger called home. Had he lived, the dictator would have stared in total disbelief at the force which brought his vaunted submarines to their knees.

One of them may very well have been the fastest warship in the world. He got a new bunch of destroyers – frigates – escorts – didn’t seem like the Canadian guy could make up his mind what to call them, but they did have one name that no one argued over – sub killers. They were the best in the world at what they did and still are.

A cold war came and went. Soviet submarines were often the fodder for the Canadian kid and his wonder toys. Sometimes the usually quiet Canuck liked to brag.

‘Hey,’ he yelled at the Brits and Yanks one stormy day. ‘Watch what I do with this helicopter and…!’

The old Brit and Yank didn’t catch the rest of what the kid said. It was drowned out by the wind whistling through the wires on their ship’s masts and the waves crashing over their bows. Next thing they knew, there was this oddly painted Sea King lifting from the deck of the kid’s ship.

‘Damn FOOL,’ yelled the Brit over to the Canadian ship bouncing along the waves. Then he just stared in amazement as the helicopter landed…LANDED on the pitching little deck!

‘I say,’ said the stunned Brit.

‘Damn,’ mouthed the shocked American.

That war too finally came to an end one day.

Now there is a new war. A war against...well, a war against a lot of things. Scary things that do not appear under a flag or wearing a uniform, letting you know that they are the enemy. No, this new war is against someone insidious who sneaks up on you and when you least expect it…

The Canadian kid is ready though. He’s older now. Young for a navy mind you but in his short but very exciting history he has earned his place. You see that when one of the Yanks powerful aircraft carrier battle groups sails past carrying more destructive force than those first two wars combined.

But there, amongst the dark gray warships protecting the carrier will almost always be one ship of a different color. A lighter shade of gray with a splash of red maple leaf upon her funnel – a fighter that the men aboard the carrier know will protect them as though the huge flat-top was one of her own.

Yes, the little scrapper is 100 years old today. The Queen won't send him a letter. No, she’ll come over in person to honour this centenarian. Twice he sailed over to protect her homeland and she knows he’s ready to do it again.

Ready…Aye ready.

Happy birthday to Canada’s navy and the men and women who have served and who serve today. Looking at what you’ve done in such a short time, I can’t even imagine what the future holds for you. One thing is certain - you will make us proud – you always do.

www.daniellittle.com

Conflict In The North - An Excerpt

2010-04-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

Here is an excerpt from the exciting novel, Conflict In The North

At RCAF Station Chatham, Ben gazed at the Voodoo parked silently inside one of the alert hangars. Even sitting on the ground, it looked to be going supersonic. He ran his fingers through his hair thoughtfully as he examined the weapons door which was currently in its typical half open position, when the aircraft was powered down. On one side, the familiar pair of Falcon missiles were mounted and armed - the standard load out for an alert aircraft. It was the other side of the door that held his gaze and kept him frozen in place. Mounted opposite the Falcons was a pair of Genie rockets. Not the ones like he had seen the ground crews occasionally practice with - painted blue to denote their inert status. No, these were all white with a pair of coloured bands circling the nose. He had only seen live Genies outside of the storage bunkers located south west of the field twice before. Something had gone wrong in the world tonight he thought…terribly wrong.
“Looks like the shit hit the fan somewhere, sir”
Ben turned towards the voice. A young airman holding an FN rifle that seemed about as large as he was, stood beside the aircraft. He was trying to look tough - and failing. His eyes showed fear. Not fear of his current job, Squadron Leader Jones knew the man would defend the station to the death if necessary, but fear of the unknown and unthinkable that hung like a distasteful odour over the base.
“Seems like it airman. I’m sure someone just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and we’ll be playing baseball again this weekend.” The officer versus ranks ball games were a huge hit on the base and he received the expected response from the young man.
“You think, sir? Sure would be nice to win another game.” The airman smiled and visibly relaxed. The officers had won a game once. Everyone swore it had happened - once. It was just that no one could remember how many years ago it had been.
“I’m sure it would,” Ben answered with a forced grimace, and then added with a stern tone, “but in the meantime, don’t let anyone mess with my airplane!”
With that, he turned and headed back to the alert room to join the growing group of air crew sitting around waiting for something to happen.
“You can count on it sir!” the young airman called after him, his voice sounding more confident.
As Ben walked into the room, Cam came up to him and reported that their assigned aircraft was fully operational and pointed to the red page attached to the flight document.
“I’d never seen one of these forms before today,” he commented, making a few marks on the page. “Looks like if we misplace one of the Genies, we might as well not come back.”
He had carefully read through the special instructions regarding the use of the nuclear rockets and decided it would be much better if they didn’t have to fire one. The resulting documentation would take longer than the ensuing war would last.
“Probably wouldn’t be anything to come back to anyway, Cam. If we have to fire them, I’m thinking we head due south to the Bahamas afterwards…if the fuel lasts.”

Visit www.conflictinthenorth.com to purchase your copy today.

Canadian Forces Respond to Haiti - Daniel Agrees With Scott Taylor!

2010-01-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

Today marks a special occasion - a literary one. For the first time in a very long time, I find myself agreeing with Scott Taylor’s article in the Chronicle Herald. In today's column (January 18, 2010), Mr. Taylor had positive remarks for everyone from the Prime Minister to the sailors aboard the Canadian warships on their way to Haiti!

He acknowledges the rapid and impressively sized response from Canada to the earthquake ravished country where there will soon be more than 2000 Canadian Forces members helping out in the humanitarian effort on the ground. The fast action taking by the federal government and our military’s ability to step up, should have every Canadian beaming with pride in the men and women who at the drop of a hat, have managed to respond to the needs of their fellow beings.

I am so proud of them! Our previously much maligned forces who are in the middle of a war in Afghanistan and at the same time, setting up for the massive security challenge of the Olympics, were still able to shine when the need arose in yet another corner of the globe.

To the Prime Minister of Canada who saw the need for new equipment for our military right now; to the officers commanding the men and women of our armed services and especially to the men and women who proudly wear the maple leaf on their shoulders, thank you. You have once again shown the world what Canada is really all about – stepping up to help those who cannot help themselves.

See Scott Taylor’s article in the Chronicle Herald by clicking here.

www.conflictinthenorth.com

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

2009-12-24T16:35:00.001-08:00

And so another year comes to a close. I wish for all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2010! As always, while sitting here and typing this, I give thanks for the freedoms we all enjoy in this wonderful country called Canada. Remember, especially during this holiday season, the many men and women of our armed services who are on duty. Some of them stand watch in lonely outposts, far from friends and family. Others are in harms way, protecting the freedoms of those too weak to do so themselves. More than a few are part of NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defence Command, and as they have for the past 50 Years, they stand on guard, like the song says, for us.

If you happen upon one of them, say thank you; if they are ahead of you at the coffee shop, give a shout to their server that ‘I’ve got that one.’ The cost of a cup of coffee is a pittance compared to the price they pay every day so that we may enjoy our holiday season in peace.

Let us all hope and pray for a more peaceful 2010.

www.conflictinthenorth.com

Our Hopeless Canadian Media

2009-12-12T17:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we get it. Some slimy terrorist was probably tortured in some way in an Afghani prison, and like ‘Climate Change’ it is all Canada’s fault. I have to admit being impressed at this new power Canada is wielding over the world these days. According to the media and various insane protesters, all of the world’s ills seem to be either caused by, or are continuing because of, Canada! How impressive is that?
I do feel bad that some poor terrorist might have been abused after being handed over to the Afghani authorities. Nowhere near as bad as I feel for the friends and families of the Canadian soldier whose death that person may have been directly responsible for. Or perhaps they were responsible for one of the terrorist acts targeting civilians – men, women and children – indiscriminately killing them.
Three points the media really must consider in their endless tirade over this:

1) We didn’t do it. The Afghanis did. Please feel free to go to any Afghani prison and start screaming at them. Let me know how you make out with that.

2) I would love to see you spend as much time and energy pointing out the good that our troops are doing there. Go to an Afghani school and walk up to a little girl and say ‘Hi!’. If you figure out my point in that request – good for you – there may be hope for our media yet!

3) You cannot judge another country based on our standards. Just because we baby coddle our prisoners does not mean that everyone else does. I guess if we are going to have the Afghanis act civilized in a ‘Canadian’ way, we should issue all the guards with Tasers and... Oh – wait a minute – skip that.

So here is what I propose. Let’s see some balanced reporting about what is going on over there and be fair. Stop listening to the idiots who compare this conflict with Vietnam (I feel pretty secure that a major super power is not supporting the Taliban as was the case with the North Vietnamese). Go find that girl in school and report on the miracle that represents. Talk to the men and women wearing the uniforms of the Canadian Armed Forces and see what they have to say. Or…read your Canadian history. Next time you want to throw out how this is hopeless because Afghanistan has been at war for so many years…check on Canada. If you look at our war timeline, we’re right up there with them when it comes to conflict in our past history. Hey, and you know what? After all that history...Canada came out all right. Maybe it's time someone else had a chance to as well.

www.conflictinthenorth.com

November 11th - Remembrance Day

2009-11-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

This coming Wednesday is Remembrance Day. Perhaps with the ongoing war in Afghanistan, there will be a few more people at the various services taking place in communities all over Canada on that day. With the recent deaths amongst the men and women who serve our country and ourselves, maybe there will be a little more motivation this year to show that we not only support those wearing the uniform today, but of course remember the many who made the supreme sacrifice so we may enjoy the freedoms we posses.

Dare I expect that on this Remembrance Day, we will act as one nation and show that minority of nay-sayers that we do indeed stand besides the sailors, soldiers and air force personnel as a unified Canada. Perhaps the newspapers will set aside, for at least this one day, the endless stories of how some POW might have been treated poorly, ignoring of course the likelihood that that same POW may be directly responsible for a Canadian death, and instead use the entire front page of their broadsheet to honour our dead. Oh, and not with a number please. This is not a lottery. There is no prize for the 500th person killed. Do not destroy their honour by calling them by a number! Ever! They have names, families, people who loved and cared about them. When you refer to them, use their rank and names ONLY! Save your statistics for the sports page.

Dare I hope that the leading news item on television that day might not be yet another story on who received the flu shot first, but rather on the incredibly proud history Canada possesses as a nation and how terrible the cost was for that achievement? There will be no more important story that day, for the television station’s mere right to exist was bought with those sacrifices.

Dare I dream that some of the media’s regulars, especially one in particular who oddly enough, has a recurring column in Halifax’s (one of Canada’s largest military towns) newspaper, will pen a story about how incredibly proud they are of all those whose sacrifice made it possible for them to hold the jobs they do. Just this one day, set aside your endless whining about our government, our military leaders, and Canada’s foreign policies, and instead, say thank you for those who gave all, and to those who still serve.

Dare I demand that this recent, foolish thought pattern of changing Remembrance day to ANYTHING but what it is now will just go away and never rear its ugly head again? An article in my local paper this week regurgitated that concept and I would love to take the author to a Legion and say, ‘There! Convince these men and women of that idea, and I will consider it!’

Dare I even imagine, a move in the House of Commons, to make November 11th, a statutory holiday? By that I mean essential services ONLY (And no, Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire are not essential services). Coffee shops could open, after noon, because what a great opportunity for all of us to buy a cup for that veteran, or service person who might happen to be in the line in front of us, which is something we should all be doing the entire year. Surely the entire House would vote ‘yea’ to this! With the possible exception of members from that party who in half the countries of the world would be hung for treason. Then again, what more obvious sign than their existence is there, that we are indeed a free nation?

This coming Wednesday is Remembrance Day…don’t forget.

Sleep well tonight – your airforce is awake!

2009-10-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

NORAD has been defending out borders for over 50 years now. The old adage of ‘Sleep well tonight – your airforce is awake’ best describes NORAD’s role throughout the Cold War and today. The men and women of both the United States and Canada who as part of NORAD protected our skies throughout that long war, deserve a hearty thank you and congratulations for a job well done.

Of course, it isn’t over yet. A new generation stands guard today and yes, we can sleep well knowing that dedicated people are awake, standing guard over the continent. To those who stood their watch and are retired now, thank you. To those who today continue that duty, we support you and appreciate what you do.

With the Berlin Wall gone and an uneasy peace over the world, their job is still as important as ever. Since 911, they stand at a heightened sense of security and although we sometimes pay them too little heed, we know they are there so we can sleep in peace.
Visit the NORAD website here.

Thank you.

Welcome to Conflict In The North

2009-10-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

It is 1966, and the Cold War is hot! The Prime Minister knows that Canadian Sovereignty is only being given lip service by the world’s two Super Powers, but when a team of Soviet commandos is discovered in Labrador on a mission to disrupt NORAD’s Pinetree Line communications, he realizes he must act swiftly or risk Canada forever becoming a mere puppet on the world stage.
The President of the United States, also aware of the Soviet incursion and brushing aside Canada’s jurisdiction, orders a US Navy SEAL detachment on a clandestine mission to Labrador with the mandate of eradicating the Spetsnaz intruders and returning without being detected by the Canadians.
When the destroyer HMCS Margaree runs afoul of the Soviet and American nuclear submarines responsible for transporting their respective commando units, however, events escalate quickly, driving the world to the brink of nuclear disaster.
With tensions running high, Canada’s Prime Minister ignores his advisers and orders a contingent of Canadian Rangers, accompanied by a regular army sergeant, to attack the Soviets. He knows his generals think him foolhardy, but he is also aware that one Ranger in particular could effect the outcome. Visit my website here.