Army could handle new foreign deployment in 2012

It almost seems as if some in the Army want a new mission soonest, whether or not national interest as decided by the government requires it. At least the 2012 date should rule out any significant number of troops for a Congo deployment, though presumably a headquarters element would be possible (but why choose to command that operation? see towards end at immediately preceding link) According to the chief of staff for land operations:

Army ready for new mission in January 2012
The Canadian Forces will be ready to immediately deploy more than 800 troops to a new international mission of the government's choosing.

When the last of Canada's troops leave Afghanistan in December 2011, the Canadian Forces will be ready to immediately deploy more than 800 troops to a new international mission of the government's choosing.

Brigadier-General Denis Thompson, currently the Canadian Army's chief of staff for land operations, and a former commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, said he is now getting the Canadian Forces ready for their next mission should they be given one by their political masters.

"We're confident at this stage," Brig.-Gen. Thompson said. "That there will be a deployable contingent from the Canadian army prepared to do the government's bidding as of January 2012."

While he said it's too early to say with certainty how many troops Canada could deploy overseas in January 2012, it could be anywhere from 800 to 1,500 to 2,500 [emphasis added].

Brig.-Gen. Thompson said the Canadian Forces will end combat operations in Afghanistan in July 2011, and will spend the next six months withdrawing completely from Central Asia, a massive logistical operation [more here and here]. Once home, much of Canada's battered equipment will be repaired and upgraded...

The general said the Forces are ready to perform a full spectrum of overseas missions, from peacekeeping and peacemaking, to counterinsurgency operations, to classic warfare.

"We are probably, even if we're small, the best equipped army in the world," Brig.-Gen. Thompson said. "All we need to do, from the army's perspective, is ensure that this tool we sharpened to a fine edge in Afghanistan is available to meet the government's foreign policy aims, whatever they happen to be."...

...The general brushed aside suggestions the army will need a period of rest, saying it is the army's duty to be ready.

"If you were paying $20-billion, wouldn't you want the same thing?" he asked "I'm a taxpayer, and I would be aghast if I told you we needed a rest."

On the other hand I don't think the public will be ready for any major foreign "adventure"--certainly not a combat one--for a fair while. I'm rather bemused by the Army leadership's eagerness.