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Can the Sea King be Replaced?
Does anyone remember why the EH-101 Cormorant order for 50 by the Mulroney government was cancelled by the Chretien Liberal Government? 1 of his first acts of parliament. He called them "Cadillac helicopters" Suggesting the PC's of that era were stuffing their plates with overly expensive equipment that was inadequate for their mission assignments. (The Sea King's adequacy was never questioned, only it's age)
The Sea Kings were supposed to be retired in 2000, we're still stuck with em on deck.
(fine by me... those are our babies)
It turns out that the Liberal government was right about the EH-101 not being the right helicopters to replace the Sea Kings but it turned out that they were wrong that we didn't need helicopters. We just didn't need to replace the Sea Kings with them. It turned out that in 1998 they ended up buying 15 cormorants to replace the aged Labradors, this came with complications & an initial loss of 500 million for the previous cancellation. (As reported by CBC's review: Requiem for the Sea King.)
those were the good old "crazy canuck" days eh!
But the Liberals 10 years later did get the S-92 Replacement helicopter ball rolling. That was the original designation, started by the Liberals at 3.2 billion for 28 of them, Which is now the very late CH-148 Cyclone designation. Yippy it'll never replace Sea King!
The Defence minister Bill Graham called it "the right helicopter for the Canadian Forces at the best price for Canadians." in keeping with Liberals stated reason for cancelling the EH-101 purchase. which was a erroneous reason but, the Mulroney government wasn't truthful about it's reasons for wanting to buy them.
(They didn't want to replace the Sea King either - too emotional maybe?)
The original EH-101 deal, which we needed would have given us 50 units for 4.8 Billion. they would not have effectively replaced the Sea King but they would
have replaced the Labrador the Chinook & given us some independent & advanced airlift capabilities in Afghanistan instead of having to beg the Americans for
used Chinooks & then go on their ever so long waiting list for new & improved Chinooks, still waiting again. (The Sea King still faithfully serving)
So there was this double dance in parliament between the 2 parties, with both agreeing we needed to replace the Sea Kings but neither party actually doing anything about it. We replaced every Helicopter except the Sea Kings. (But their pilots are now worried none of them will be left to admire if they all crash from operational exhaustion).
Why? The Sea Kings are a symbol of our National Pride & achievement. CBC's "Requiem for the Sea King" explains this thoroughly. using the Sea Kings Canada revolutionizeed the Naval combat ship...giving us a great reputation among allies & enemies. Making us Revered for Military innovation & initiative. (The Sea King was at the forefront of that development)
WE CAN NEVER REPLACE THE SEA KING's that was the message. Their meaning & significance to Canada is as great as the Spitfire to Britain or the Browning Colt 1911 to the USA. (So I give you a Salute to the Sea King)
Spitfires remain in use by British enthusiasts today. The 1911 is still a coveted hand gun bought & sold in the USA. The Sea King must never see the inside of a scrap yard! That's what the government is trying to tell us all. Everyone! The whole world.
Don't mess with the Sea King!
Canada is the Sea King... the King! :threat:
(obey the Sea King)
Get it!
Unite! Restore National Pride! Love the Sea King! Ready aye Ready!
~Lest we forget ~
Does anyone remember why the EH-101 Cormorant order for 50 by the Mulroney government was cancelled by the Chretien Liberal Government? 1 of his first acts of parliament. He called them "Cadillac helicopters" Suggesting the PC's of that era were stuffing their plates with overly expensive equipment that was inadequate for their mission assignments. (The Sea King's adequacy was never questioned, only it's age)
The Sea Kings were supposed to be retired in 2000, we're still stuck with em on deck.
(fine by me... those are our babies)
It turns out that the Liberal government was right about the EH-101 not being the right helicopters to replace the Sea Kings but it turned out that they were wrong that we didn't need helicopters. We just didn't need to replace the Sea Kings with them. It turned out that in 1998 they ended up buying 15 cormorants to replace the aged Labradors, this came with complications & an initial loss of 500 million for the previous cancellation. (As reported by CBC's review: Requiem for the Sea King.)
those were the good old "crazy canuck" days eh!
But the Liberals 10 years later did get the S-92 Replacement helicopter ball rolling. That was the original designation, started by the Liberals at 3.2 billion for 28 of them, Which is now the very late CH-148 Cyclone designation. Yippy it'll never replace Sea King!
The Defence minister Bill Graham called it "the right helicopter for the Canadian Forces at the best price for Canadians." in keeping with Liberals stated reason for cancelling the EH-101 purchase. which was a erroneous reason but, the Mulroney government wasn't truthful about it's reasons for wanting to buy them.
(They didn't want to replace the Sea King either - too emotional maybe?)
The original EH-101 deal, which we needed would have given us 50 units for 4.8 Billion. they would not have effectively replaced the Sea King but they would
have replaced the Labrador the Chinook & given us some independent & advanced airlift capabilities in Afghanistan instead of having to beg the Americans for
used Chinooks & then go on their ever so long waiting list for new & improved Chinooks, still waiting again. (The Sea King still faithfully serving)
So there was this double dance in parliament between the 2 parties, with both agreeing we needed to replace the Sea Kings but neither party actually doing anything about it. We replaced every Helicopter except the Sea Kings. (But their pilots are now worried none of them will be left to admire if they all crash from operational exhaustion).
Why? The Sea Kings are a symbol of our National Pride & achievement. CBC's "Requiem for the Sea King" explains this thoroughly. using the Sea Kings Canada revolutionizeed the Naval combat ship...giving us a great reputation among allies & enemies. Making us Revered for Military innovation & initiative. (The Sea King was at the forefront of that development)
WE CAN NEVER REPLACE THE SEA KING's that was the message. Their meaning & significance to Canada is as great as the Spitfire to Britain or the Browning Colt 1911 to the USA. (So I give you a Salute to the Sea King)
Spitfires remain in use by British enthusiasts today. The 1911 is still a coveted hand gun bought & sold in the USA. The Sea King must never see the inside of a scrap yard! That's what the government is trying to tell us all. Everyone! The whole world.
Don't mess with the Sea King!
Canada is the Sea King... the King! :threat:
(obey the Sea King)
Get it!
Unite! Restore National Pride! Love the Sea King! Ready aye Ready!
~Lest we forget ~
