The CF in Afstan: A modest, middle ground, proposal
Thinking outside the bun. Why essentially all or nothing? Keep the mission as is or basically bug out? Surely there might be other military possibilities.
Propose to NATO keeping a CF presence at Kandahar/Kandahar . But get out of the ground combat role. Ask other NATO members to take on that mission whilst the CF's role becomes mainly an Air Force one.
Keep Chinooks (helicopters badly needed by ISAF) and UAVs there to assist replacement ISAF ground forces. Plus Hercules and C-17 support as required for ISAF (if it still exists) forces. Plus one or two companies of infantry for whatever ground support is needed. That sort of deployment would also require much smaller numbers for logistics/support and command.
Seems reasonable to me, reduces the risk of Canadian casualties, yet still helps considerably whatever allied ground combat/helping ANA in action forces that might replace the Canadian battle group. Such a mission should not be too politically controversial in Canada. Why not run it up appropriate flagpoles? It would be worthwhile in military terms.
Unless the Canadian mission really is just about diplomacy and domestic politics rather than being one based on a judgment about real Canadian national interests that necessitate use, to some extent or another, of force by the Canadian Forces in very, very, dangerous circumstances. And casualties suffered by our forces.
Propose to NATO keeping a CF presence at Kandahar/Kandahar . But get out of the ground combat role. Ask other NATO members to take on that mission whilst the CF's role becomes mainly an Air Force one.
Keep Chinooks (helicopters badly needed by ISAF) and UAVs there to assist replacement ISAF ground forces. Plus Hercules and C-17 support as required for ISAF (if it still exists) forces. Plus one or two companies of infantry for whatever ground support is needed. That sort of deployment would also require much smaller numbers for logistics/support and command.
Seems reasonable to me, reduces the risk of Canadian casualties, yet still helps considerably whatever allied ground combat/helping ANA in action forces that might replace the Canadian battle group. Such a mission should not be too politically controversial in Canada. Why not run it up appropriate flagpoles? It would be worthwhile in military terms.
Unless the Canadian mission really is just about diplomacy and domestic politics rather than being one based on a judgment about real Canadian national interests that necessitate use, to some extent or another, of force by the Canadian Forces in very, very, dangerous circumstances. And casualties suffered by our forces.
posted by Mark, Ottawa at 6:59 p.m.
5 Comments:
A very good idea and what I expect will actually happen around that time. Unfortunately Canadian aviation (aka helicopters) is getting into the game a little late with the D-model Chinooks (and maybe Griffons?) so it wouldn't hurt to stick around longer.
We should also begin receiving our new F-model Chinooks then. I'm not sure what else we will do with 16 of them.
Given that all the decisions regarding this mission are being driven by public opinion, this option should be easy to sell. It would just be nice to have some of Sen. Kenny's 'protect helicopters' to go with it.
Maybe this is the type of thing Harper had in mind when he said something about some technical troops staying behind after the pointy end troops depart ??
Here's a wrinkle. How will we know the air strikes are being used responsibly? If an Afghan Major tells us to drop a bomb on such and such a coordinate, How confident are we that it is a legitimate target? Does it matter?
pete e: At least I did not propose sending our CF-18s. Although why it was OK for them to bomb white, Christian, Serbs in 1999...
Mark
Ottawa
It still amounts to one thing and one thing only. Turning our backs to those that need us.
Too bad they ain't nice white Europeans I guess.
Harper is an absolute disgrace and my ballot will be spoiled again. Someday there will be a pol worthy of my vote.
Post a Comment
<< Home