Op PRESENCE/Mali (Cdn mission/s, sitreps, etc. - merged)

[Journeyman]

I thought they had the gender parity thing sorted before the Mission got going?

We attempted but failed to reach gender "parity".... but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be sanctimonious in dictating how other countries' airfields should be run. 

(Although I think he was being sarcastic;  it's hard to tell sometimes since that's often just how he talks  ;D )

 

[Cloud Cover]

We attempted but failed to reach gender "parity".... but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be sanctimonious in dictating how other countries' airfields should be run.  

(Although I think he was being sarcastic;  it's hard to tell sometimes since that's often just how he talks  ;D )

Right. Bloody well right. We are the champions of fems!!

 

[Jarnhamar]

We attempted but failed to reach gender "parity".... but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be sanctimonious in dictating how other countries' airfields should be run. 

(Although I think he was being sarcastic;  it's hard to tell sometimes since that's often just how he talks  ;D )

80% sarcasm
20% wouldn't be surprised if

;D

 

[MarkOttawa]

This is getting truly embarrassing, esp. with major UN peacekeeping ministerial on now in NY and with Sajjan and Freeland there trying to look smug about Canada's great new efforts:

Canada asks UN for more time to decide whether to extend Mali peacekeeping mission
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Request comes as Canada co-chairs an international peacekeeping summit starting Friday at UN headquarters

Canada has asked the United Nations for an extension of two weeks to decide whether to keep its peacekeepers and helicopters on the ground in Mali beyond its July 31 departure date.

In a letter dated Feb. 26, the UN urges the Liberal government to continue providing critical evacuation and logistical support to the UN mission in Mali until Romanian replacements are on the ground on Oct. 15. The letter also asked for a formal response by March 22 —  last Friday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government replied with a request of its own. It asked for a two-week extension, according to two UN officials familiar with the dossier...

In the letter, obtained by CBC News, the UN asks Canada to maintain full capacity until mid-September which would include transporting troops and supplies, then scale back to provide strictly medical evacuations for the final month until the new aviation unit arrives from Romania.

Bucharest will deploy four IAR 330L Puma medium-utility helicopters to Gao, which can be armed for self-defence purposes.

Canadian planes are 'quite valuable for us'

Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the head MINUSMA, said it would be "a shame" if the Canadians left before the Romanians are in theatre.

Helicopters are critical to the success of any peacekeeping operation but especially the UN stabilization mission in Mali, said Annadif...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mali-un-peacekeeping-canada-extension-1.5076074

Canada sure is back.  Meanwhile MINUSMA itself tweeted this story from UN on what SecGen Guterres says is needed, bit of a message to Canada I suspect:

1) The tweet:

Guterres lauds UN peacekeeping, highlights need to bridge ‘critical’ gaps
https://twitter.com/UN_MINUSMA/status/1111685661818540032

2) Guterres:

Guterres lauds UN peacekeeping, highlights need to bridge ‘critical’ gaps
...
The Secretary-General also highlighted some “critical” gaps in UN missions that must be bridged, such as the urgent need in the Mali mission (MINUSMA), for armored personnel carriers and in CAR (MINUSCA) for 24/7 evacuation helicopters that can operate from remote areas.

Elsewhere, armed utility helicopters are needed; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance units; quick reaction forces, and airborne medical evacuation teams.

He urged everyone to contribute, with the assurance that “they will be utilized effectively and efficiently”...
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1035741

Mark
Ottawa

 

[MarkOttawa]

Now Canada backs out:

Canada won't extend peacekeeping mission in Mali: Freeland

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says the Trudeau government will not extend Canada's peacekeeping mission in Mali despite a UN appeal for it to stay longer.

The eight Canadian helicopters and 250 military personnel in Mali are scheduled to cease operations on July 31.

However their Romanian replacements won't be ready to take over until mid-October and the UN last month formally asked Canada to stay on to prevent a gap in the provision of lifesaving medical evacuations for injured peacekeepers.

Freeland wouldn't explain why Canada is refusing to extend the mission except to say that the government is honouring its commitment to Canadians, the UN and allies.

Critics have pointed to the Liberals' refusal to extend the mission as emblematic of the government's failure to make good on its larger promise to support the UN and peacekeeping.

Freeland's comments came at the end of a major peacekeeping summit in New York today, where Canada pledged $15 million to increase the number of women deployed on UN missions.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-won-t-extend-peacekeeping-mission-in-mali-freeland-1.4357992

That $15M will sure make up for pulling out of MINUSMA.

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Good2Golf]

So when the CPC wins the Fall election, the leftover Liberals can complain about how the Conservatives lost Canada the seat on the UNSC... :not-again:

 

[The Bread Guy]

So when the CPC wins the Fall election, the leftover Liberals can complain about how the Conservatives lost Canada the seat on the UNSC... :not-again:

Assuming that if the Tories win, they'll continue to seek a Security Council seat ...

 

[daftandbarmy]

Now Canada backs out:

That $15M will sure make up for pulling out of MINUSMA.

Mark
Ottawa

Top tip:

It’s not quitting if you use words like ‘reposture’. #spindoctorlife

 

[MarkOttawa]

"Advancing to the rear", eh?

Mark
Ottawa

 

[brihard]

In fairness, the government is at least doing exactly what they said they would do on this one. Difficult to fault that, particularly given how scathing the criticism has been from troops and vets for picking that particular place for a mission.

All said and done, fair to say that Mali has been a good development / proving ground for the particular capabilities we deployed there? It certainly seems like it.

 

[Jed]

In fairness, the government is at least doing exactly what they said they would do on this one. Difficult to fault that, particularly given how scathing the criticism has been from troops and vets for picking that particular place for a mission.

All said and done, fair to say that Mali has been a good development / proving ground for the particular capabilities we deployed there? It certainly seems like it.

Well I for one am glad it hasn't turned out to be like a Dieppe Raid learning experience.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

All said and done, fair to say that Mali has been a good development / proving ground for the particular capabilities we deployed there? It certainly seems like it.

Likely true, but...is that a good enough reason to deploy a significant portion of a fleet?  The same statement could be said about the Aurora IMPACT sustained op;  it worked but...to what end and at what cost?

 

[daftandbarmy]

Likely true, but...is that a good enough reason to deploy a significant portion of a fleet?  The same statement could be said about the Aurora IMPACT sustained op;  it worked but...to what end and at what cost?

Exactly...

While taking nothing away from the contribution made by the RCAF and others during this mission, it's a good example of a fairly weak and 'air headed' national foreign policy, adrift with few militarily strategic anchors to rally round. The first world nation's equivalent of a drive by, with no shots fired....

 

[The Bread Guy]

A bit of an overview of at least some of the threat in this part of the world, via NJ's DHS ...

Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb

Background

    Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) became al-Qa’ida’s North Africa affiliate in 2007. AQIM was formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, a splinter group of the Armed Islamic Group, both of which fought against Algeria’s secular government.

    Abdelmalek Droukdel has led AQIM and its predecessor groups since 2004. He cited religious motives for his group becoming an al-Qa’ida affiliate; this strategic decision also unified loosely connected brigades, enhancing recruitment and fundraising.

    In 2015, AQIM reconciled with al-Mourabitoun, a terrorist group led by former AQIM member Mokhtar Belmokhtar. Since then, AQIM has conducted operations against civilians, including Westerners, in public places such as hotels and restaurants.

Threat to New Jersey: Low

AQIM’s threat to New Jersey is low, as the group lacks the capability to direct attacks against the United States and continues to focus operations on Western interests in the Sahel region, as well as Libya and Tunisia ...

More in attached one-pager.

 

[The Bread Guy]

All-party Commons committee:  agree with GTFO option - recommendations:

... Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada adhere to the one-year withdrawal deadline of 31 July 2019 for Operation PRESENCE that was announced in March 2018.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada examine the full range of actions that could be taken to expedite the transition of the air detachments in Gao, Mali from Canada to Romania. In identifying these actions, the focus should be on minimizing the operational impact of the transition in the theatre of operations.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada, on a best efforts basis, support the transition in the deployment of Romanian forces as Canada’s successor in Mali.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada provide logistics and heavy lift air assistance to the government of Romania to facilitate the delivery and transition of operational personnel and equipment to Mali.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada provide to Parliament a thorough explanation of how Operation PRESENCE serves Canada’s national interest ...

More in full report of the Standing Committee on National Defence issued Friday here, and from CBC.ca here.

 

[Kerosen]

post removed for OPSEC

Milnet Staff

 

[The Bread Guy]

The latest from the info-machine - highlights mine ...

In July 2018, Canada joined 56 other UN Member States as a contributor to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to provide medical evacuation by air of injured personnel, supply transport and logistics support.

Since then, the men and women deployed under Operation PRESENCE - Mali have conducted 10 medical evacuations. Canadian helicopters have accumulated more than 3,000 flying hours, transported more than 6,400 passengers and delivered more than 370,000 pounds of cargo. This contribution has provided essential support to MINUSMA in the execution of its mission to support the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement.

In anticipation of the arrival in Mali of a Romanian helicopter rotation this year, Canada is confirming that the Air Task Force (ATF) will begin its gradual departure at the end of July and its operations will be gradually scaled down and limited to medical evacuation tasks until August 31, 2019. This is consistent with strategic advice provided by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

This phased approach will ensure a smooth and efficient transition process between the Canadian and Romanian rotations. A small CAF transition team will be deployed to assist Romania in its preparations to commence operations, and Canada has offered to provide four C-17 aircraft flights to assist Romania to deploy their personnel and equipment to theatre. This approach will minimize disruption in the availability of critical capabilities to MINUSMA forces and help set up the Romanian rotation for operational success.

Setting conditions for peace is central to Canada’s work in Mali. To that end, Canada will continue its long-standing support through its development, stabilization and humanitarian programming.

 

[Spencer100]

A little longer

https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/06/14/liberals-push-end-of-mali-peacekeeping-mission-to-august-3/#.XQQBuXdFyUl

 

[MarkOttawa]

From https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/06/14/liberals-push-end-of-mali-peacekeeping-mission-to-august-3/#.XQQBuXdFyUl"

The Canadian Forces' peacekeeping mission in Mali is going to last a little longer than previously planned — but not as long as the United Nations hoped...

The UN had asked Canada to stay until October, when Romanian troops take over, to minimize a gap in providing lifesaving medical evacuations for injured UN peacekeepers.

Global Affairs Canada said Friday that operations will wind down after July 31 and gradually be restricted to only medical evacuations until Aug. 31.

A small Canadian transition team will help Romania set up its operations, including the use of C-17 airplanes to help get troops and equipment into the country...

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan insisted the announcement doesn't mean the government is extending the mission.

"Up until the end of July, we will maintain all the missions that we've been conducting. However, to conduct a smooth transition we are going to be focusing strictly on medical evacuations so we can start doing that transition," he told reporters outside the House of Commons. "And this will allow for that gradual handover."..

This is so begrudging, unwilling, half-hearted that it's truly embarrassing after this government's blather about Canada being back, re-committing to peacekeeping (whatever one's own views on such missions), etc., etc..  What serious countries (esp. our NATO allies in Europe) and many in Africa must now think about us one shudders to contemplate.

No UNSC seat for sure (thank goodness in my view).

Mark
Ottawa

 

[PuckChaser]

Amazing. We can't get regular sustainment flights of C-17s into Canadian operations because they're constantly broken due to being run hard almost 24/7, but we can afford to give one up to help the Romanians out?  :facepalm: