Issue#6 2011  (Vol.8 No.6)
Having just returned to Cairo from a short Christmas break with family in Canada, I just read your online edition of FrontLine during my first early morning of jetlag awakening. Great job!

   North Africa / Middle East continues to fascinate, but I can report that I am happily working, amongst my other security / defence duties, with two of our Defence Industry players to help them promote their technologies and solutions in some of the countries that I am responsible for.
   Keep up the great work! I'll be sharing a printed version with my host nation military colleagues.
Stu Moors, Capt, RCN
    Canadian Defence Attache North Africa and Sudan

 

Interview with Minister Fantino  (Vol.8 No.5)
I read with interest the interview with Julian Fantino, Associate Minister, Responsible for Defence Procurement. In particular, I noted his statement “Since 2006, our government has reduced the average time for procurement required for military procurement from 7 years to 48 months.” While I can appreciate why he and his government would like to take credit for this achievement, it was during the period when the Liberal government was in power that this reduction occurred. By taking undeserved credit, Minister Fantino dismisses the hard work of many public servants and military personnel who expended great effort to streamline the process. While it is always risky to single out specific individuals, I do want to acknowledge LGen Ken Pennie and Ken Ready that were in the forefront of this initiative.  This reduction in cycle times was documented in my book, “Reinventing Canadian Defence Procurement: A View From The Inside,” (published in 2006, chapter 6).
Alan Williams, former ADM(Mat)

 

Arctic SAR Agreement  (Vol.8 No.4)
I would appreciate it if you might review the attached document respecting the recent article in FRONTLINE-DEFENCE wherein you state that the "Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary is not yet present" in the Arctic." I would invite you to give me a call so that we might discuss this issue as a large number of Canadian Coast Guard Volunteers (102) who live and work in the Arctic might get the recognition they justly deserve.
Jack KRUGER, RCMP "G" Division, SAR Coordinator,
Canadian Coast Guard Base
Hay River, NWT 

 

General  (2011)
Let me commend you folks on an excellent publication, it is thoughtful, provides pertinent and up-to-date information and is much appreciated.
Daniel G. Webster, Director of Military Programs
Navistar Defence Canada, Inc.

Too Many Chefs in the Kitchen  (Vol.8 No.4)
Congratulations, Chris: you have hit the nail on the head with your editorial on the Defence Procurement problem in Canada. As the General responsible for the acquisition of Army equipment in the first three years of our engagement in Afghanistan, I was naive enough to think that everyone in Government would understand that we needed to take some shortcuts in order to get our troops properly equipped for the difficult and dangerous mission that they faced. To be fair, many bureaucrats at the working level did respond well, and we were able to acquire a lot of much-needed kit which ultimately saved soldiers lives. However, I discovered that there was resistance at the senior levels in a number of Government Departments, not to what we accomplished, but to how we did it. In the end, a senior Treasury Board mandarin made a point of chastising me in front of our inter-departmental team for "breaching the process"! I then understood that I had committed a cardinal sin; in spite of the fact that we acquired good equipment at a reasonable price in a very timely manner, we did so while bypassing many of the "chefs" who frankly added no value to the procurement process. This meant that they were in danger of losing their role in the complex game of Defence Procurement! As anyone who tries to reform our current system will find out, there is nothing more dangerous than a bureaucrat scorned. I wish Julian Fantino or whoever is tasked with the job of reforming Defence Procurement the very best of luck: they will need it..
Peter, Canada

 

Search and Rescue  (Vol.8 No.2)
I would like to draw your attention to the article, "Changes Needed for Search and Rescue (SAR)." The article states, "the Halifax JRCC is responsible for the East Coast of Canada, which includes Eastern Quebec, and is assisted by two secondary marine rescue centers, one in Gander and one at Greenwood." In fact, the two Canadian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Sub Centers are in fact located in St. John's, NL and in Quebec City, Quebec. Secondly, in the article, "Putting SAR to the Test," the article states, "One final tip: if you're in distress, dial *16.  If you are in range of a Rescue Coordination Center, they will answer." In fact, *16 is answered by the closest Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) center – not by a JRCC.
SARman, Canada

 

How important is Military Sustainability?  (Vol.8 No.1)
The editorial message in the latest Frontline was very well done. Being ex-military, it’s good to hear the odd voice supporting an increase in defence expenditures, where necessary. I served during the lean final years of the Cold War and can attest to the sad state of our equipment then.
Kean Doherty, Law Enforcement Sales Coordinator

 

Sovereignty of Canada's North  (Vol.7 No.5)
I thoroughly enjoyed your last editorials on the need for Canada to do more to protect our sovereignty claims in the Arctic ("Arctic Waters Domain Awareness" by Joseph Spears, and "Security in the North" by Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden.  The Artic is a serious issue on many fronts and sovereignty, along with the environment, are two of the most critical.  In each instance we seem to be just procrastinating. Your point on "Big Honkin Ships" was also very timely.
Bill MacLean, Nova Scotia

 

What is the real story in Afghanistan? by Chris MacLean (Vol.7 No.6)
The more things change, the more they stay the same.  An old saying ... pity it's still true. Your editorial is spot-on. We need to understand the Middle-Eastern cultures, and we cannot do that without engaging with them at grass roots levels, over at least a WHOLE generation.  Five years??? Fifteen years??  Piffle!  They have been engaging in tribal wars among themselves for thousand of years ... and we expect to "fix" this in a few short years?  This is not to say we should not be there ... of course we should, and we must. The way these countries treat women, is just unacceptable ... they need to be "refocused."  Gen Petraeus and his political leaders need to understand that the term "long haul" is not to be measured in years ... decades plural will be good start, and it must involve the Taliban, as these are the violent fundamentalist gihadists who must be convinced to change, coerced if necessary. So you keep on from your side of the creek, and we'll keep on doing it from here ... and hope that we see peace in our time.

David, Australia

 

Joint Strike Fighter (news)
While everyone understands the need for a new first line fighter for the Air Force within the next four or five years, the purchase of the JSF continues to show that the Defence leadership in Ottawa is losing its grasp on reality.  Yes. a new aircraft is needed. However, there are at least four (more if you add the Mig) aircraft that could meet the AF needs into the 2040 time frame. Consider the F-18 E/F and a few G's to add EW capability. How about the Grippen or the Eurofighter? All these are current, top line, fully supportable aircraft that would surely meet any needs of the AF for many years to come. They are in production now, have proven capabilities, and are more affordable – that should be reason enough for at least a fly-off... > more .

Ottawa, Canada

US Defense Companies & ITAR Challenges: Ken Pole (Vol.7, No.2)

Is Ken Pole planning on doing an article on the Canadian equivalent of ITAR - the CGP? I would like to get some information the effectiveness and applicability of the CGP.
Mitch
Principal Engineer, QuinnTsential Consulting
Ontario

CF After Afghanistan by Chris MacLean (Vol.7, No.2)
Your editorial on "After Afghanistan" was right on. Great work.
Roger Beebe
Manitoba, Canada

Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way by Hudson (Vol.7, No.2)
This is indeed a piece filled with "perspicacity" - a true assessment of what happened. Two further points could have been added. First, DFAIT believes that good management is centralized management. Consequently nothing happens anywhere until ALL the details have been approved at the most senior level - initiative is considered to be insubordination. Conversely, in the military approach, called "mission command", only broad objectives are given to subordinate commanders who immediately spring into action. In the military, a LACK of initiative is considered to be insubordination. Second, military organization is based on the presumption that unexpected ACTION will indeed be required at some point. The creation of Hillier's new commands were controversial and are, admittedly not the only way to obtain this ACTION. But, in the event, the new Expeditionary Forces Command under LGen Marc Lessard (of Afghanistan renown), was exceptional in generating this ACTION. Ships were moving loaded with supplies, an air bridge was in place, and the required soldiers were on the ground while DFAIT was still agonizing over the development of a policy. Well done.
Terry Liston
Porte de l'Amérique Conseils/Gateway America,
Montréal, Quebec

HUMAN RIGHTS... OR POLITICS? by Chris MacLean (Vol.6 No.6)
Read your editorial in FrontLine Issue 6 earlier today. Right on the money. When are the self interested politicians of this country ever going to wake up and take what's going on in Afghanistan seriously and give it the attention it deserves? Thank you for your forthright assessment.
Tim
Canada

I agree completely with the views you expressed in your last editorial. The Canadians who are taking our government and armed forces to task about torture and other reprehensible acts perpetrated by Afghans are guilty of fuzzy thinking. The Afghan earnings of Canadian taxpayer monies in support of the Canadian Forces may allow them to contribute to all kinds of dastardly activities in addition to the torture of prisoners and abuse of young boys, e.g., ‘honour killings’, fostering drug production and distribution, preventing little girls from going to school, abusing women physically and otherwise, etc., etc. If we were trying to change Afghan culture and values, we would have to take over the country (as the US and UK did in Iraq) and even then I doubt we could succeed. I don’t think the war against terrorism in Afghanistan will be won my military means alone, but it certainly won’t be won without military force. The Canadian Forces are in Afghanistan in an attempt to put the terrorists out of business and that is the required first step in rehabilitating that failed state. Any attempt to export Canadian values before that is achieved is doomed to failure. Let’s not lose sight of the aim, the basic military principle.
MGen (ret) C. LaFrance
Ottawa

Couldn't agree more with your views. Until today I thought I was the only one using the pedophilia toleration argument in this case. The comparison is not perfect in that we do not provide the children yet in both cases we have little choice in tolerating the practice. Its their people. It is tiring to read letters from people insulated for far too long in our peaceful 21st century suburbs bleating about how tolerating torture is against Canadian values and therefore we should turn the world upside down and focus all of our over stretched resources on introspection. We are at war and dealing with a far different culture from ours in an effort to eradicate a common enemy. Your arguments remind us to not lose sight of the aim.
Senior Manager, Business Development

FWSAR by Sharon Hobson (Vol.6 No.6)
Superb job! At last someone has the guts to tell it as it is!
Senior Manager
Business Development
Canada

Interview with COMMODORE JUNG by Chris MacLean (Vol.6, No.5)
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you for the interview with Commodore Jung. Great article. The kind that underscores the need for journalist and journalism. Glad to hear that others are cluing in to the seriousness of the problem. It gives me hope that TJ's death might have some meaning. And hope is a good thing.
Kris Hatash'ta
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

UNMANNED SYSTEMS by Dewar Donnithorne-Tait (Vol.6, No.5)
In your article on Unmanned Systems, you misidentified a USAF on page 21 as a 737. This aircraft is a 135-series (Boeing 707 variant - four engines vice two on the 737) and at first blush appears to be a special mission aircraft with the upgraded CFN 56 turbofan engines.
(Ed: thanks, we'll get that fixed on our digital edition.)
S Hicks
Ottawa

HUMAN RIGHTS by Chris MacLean (Vol.6, No.5)
I would like to thank you for your editorial in the latest issue of FrontLine (vol 6:5). I hope it will bring more pressure to bear on this issue. My wife and I are appalled that Western Governments continue to prop up President Karzai regime. Here in PEI we would hate to feel that Nichola Goddard’s death was in vain.
Vic Douse
PEI, Canada

I just wanted to say "well done" on your editorial in the most recent FrontLine. Strong words are required and it's great to see the defence community speaking loud and clear to the government. One thing that I have learned in my many years dealing with NATO allies – they listen when Canada speaks.
Sean Hoopey
Ottawa, Canada

I think it's bold for a magazine like FrontLine to be addressing the politically sensitive issues you've raised in your editorial. Some of your readers might squirm a bit. My personal opinion, and the reason why I support Canadian intervention in Afghanistan, is that I believe it's the only hope for the Afghan people. I have four daughters. I think their future is better than anything women in any past era of history could have imagined. I would like to see that for all people including the little girls growing up in Khandahar. But I also recognize that there are thousands of years of cultural momentum behind what is going on in Afghanistan.
Kris Hatash'ta
Ottawa, Canada

HUMAN RIGHTS by Chris MacLean (e-notification)
With homosexuality promoted and subsidized by our Canadian governments... why should anyone care what happens overseas? Charity begins at home! The Third World/Old World does not have their dead buried on our soil defending our God given rights and freedoms! Yet....our dead are buried in numerous graveyards overseas defending theirs.
Thomas
Canada

This is irresponsible use of goverment email. Remove me from your mailing list.
Withheld
Canada

I fully support your initiative and I admire your courage on this matter. I do not think that Canada is the only country to be blamed; all Western countries that are present on the Afghan soil are equally involved. Couldn't you use tools like Facebook to spread the word?
Olivier
Paris, France

Wow. Am I glad to see FrontLine take up this issue. When I was in KAF, this topic was discussed amongst the troops. "Man Love Thursdays" was a given and not something you could publicly disrespect in the name of cultural relativism – like forced marriage or child brides or "honour killing." Hopefully your campaign will force those in power to quit pinching their nostrils and face the stink.
Support Our Troops
Canada

SMALL ARMS by Rob Day (Vol.6 No.4)
I normally read FrontLine on a regular basis, I consider it a valuable public resource. I was quite surprised, therefore, to see the inaccuracies in your article "Recent Trends in Small Arms Development. 1: "the average ‘grunt’ carrying between 1500 and 2000 rounds of ammunition" Fifty mags? Highly unlikely. 2: The Skorpion was available in the 70s, and was far from ‘effective’ as anyone (including myself) who has used it would know. The Ingram appeared slightly later, and the Mini-Uzi not until the 90s. 3: Two important spelling errors: “Tavoq” is presumably the Tavor; “Fantas” assault weapon" is presumably the FAMAS.
Dr Michael Ashkenazi, PhD, Capt. (ret)
SALW Control Program Leader, Bonn International Center for Conversion
D-53113 Bonn, Germany