Showing posts with label canadian military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label canadian military. Show all posts

Friday, July 27, 2012

The Spy Scandal In Canada May Have Put Allies’ Secrets At Risk

Sub-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle is the first person charged under Canada’s post-9/11 secrets law. Paul Darrow / Reuters files

Alleged Canadian Spy Jeffrey Paul Delisle May Have Put Allies’ Secrets At Risk -- National Post/Reuters

The spying allegations against a Halifax naval officer are causing ripples in Australia and Britain, with unconfirmed media reports suggesting that intelligence supplied to Canada by some of its key allies was compromised in the case.

Canadian security experts, however, suggest the breaches are unlikely to cause much of a rift within the group.

Sub-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle, who was charged in January with passing information to a foreign entity that could harm Canada’s interests, had access to and allegedly sold highly classified information collected by the “Five Eyes” intelligence community, which includes the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.


Read more
....

More News On Canada's Spy Scandal

Canada spy case rocks ASIO
-- Sydney Morning Herald
Spy suspect had access to top secrets: report -- Vancouver Sun/Daily Telegraph
Foreign spy 'stole' Australian secrets -- Sydney Morning Herald
Report says alleged Canadian spy’s activities compromised Australia’s intelligence network -- Toronto Star
Australia, Canada discussed navy spy case -- CBC
Australia was briefed on Halifax navy espionage case: report -- National Post/Canadian Press
Top level British secrets 'compromised by Canadian spy' -- The Telegraph
British intelligence 'may have been compromised by Canadian spy' -- The Telegraph

My Comment: This intelligence leak is bad in every way.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Former Commander Of Canadian Soldiers In Afghanistan To Face Court Martial For Sexual Affair In-Theatre

Canada's former top soldier in Kandahar, Brigadier-General Daniel Menard speaks with the media as Lt-Colonel Troy Sweet looks on in Gatineau, Que., Tuesday, May 25, 2010. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Brig.-Gen. Faces Court Martial Over Tryst Allegations -- CTV

The former commander of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, will face a court martial in relation to allegations he had an in-theatre intimate relationship with a member of his staff, the Department of National Defence announced Tuesday.

Allegations of a sexual affair first surfaced in May 2010 when Menard, a 26-year army veteran, was the Task Force Commander in Afghanistan.

The military police initiated an investigation after Menard's female subordinate, Master-Cpl. Bianka Langlois, said she had an affair with the married father of two. He was removed from his post in June and ordered home in disgrace.

Read more ....

More News On The Court Martial Charges For A Canadian Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard

Commander’s alleged Afghan fling could lead to prison -- Toronto Star
High-ranking soldier faces court martial on six charges -- Montreal Gazette
Court martial for Canada's former Afghan commander -- Reuters
Brig.-Gen. Menard faces court martial -- National Post
Ex-Afghanistan commander faces court martial -- AFP

Friday, November 19, 2010

Canada's Military Tries To Forget One Of Their Own

Colonel Russell Williams has been charged with the murder of two women, one of them a soldier at his air force base in Trenton in Ontario, Canada. Photograph: REUTERS

Military Burns Killer Colonel's Uniform -- Toronto Sun

BELLEVILLE, Ont. — CFB Trenton staff have burned every piece of former colonel Russell Williams' military clothing, documentation and equipment they could find in his Tweed, Ont., home.

Such items are Crown property and must be returned to the military upon a person's departure from the military service, said Canadian Forces spokesman Cmdr. Hubert Genest.

But since Williams is now in the Kingston Penitentiary, he couldn't return them personally.

Williams was in command of Canadian Forces Base Trenton when he was arrested on Feb. 7.

Read more ....

More News On The Burning Of Former Colonel Russell Williams' Uniform

Military burns Russell Williams' uniforms -- CTV
Canadian Forces burn Russell Williams's uniform, gear -- Globe And Mail
Canadian military burns Russell Williams's uniform -- BBC
Canadian military burns ex-colonel's uniform -- Washington Post/AP
Military burns Russell Williams's uniforms -- Post Media/Montreal Gazette
Q & A: The Canadian Forces explains burning of Russell William’s kit -- National Post

My Comment: They cannot burn him .... so they are doing the next best thing. Unfortunately, his actions will be a legacy that will take years for the Canadian armed forces to forget.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Are Sexual Assaults Common On Canadian Bases in Afghanistan?

Capt. Nichola Goddard

Canada’s First Female Combat Death Wrote Of Afghan Sex Assaults -- National Post

Capt. Nichola Goddard, who in 2006 became the first female Canadian combat death, wrote to her husband that women working at bases in Afghanistan were often victims of sexual harassment or assault, and that in one week there had been six rapes at her camp.

“OK. Now for all the stuff I can’t say over the phone,” she wrote in a personal letter to her husband of three years, Jason Beam, on Feb. 3, 2006, a little more than three months before she was killed in a firefight with the Taliban, west of Kandahar.

“There were six rapes in the camp last week, so we have to work out an escort at night.”

Read more ....

My Comment: As a Canadian, I find this very disturbing. I know a few Canadian soldiers who are serving in Afghanistan, and they represent what is to me the best in a professional army. The idea that there are rogue elements in the forces committing such crimes makes me boil with anger .... coupled with a hunger to know if these accusations are true.

What is even more disturbing is that these bases have many Canadian reporters embeded with the troops .... women reporters included .... but no reports of such behavior has been reported by the media.

Who to believe? My money is on Capt. Nichola Goddard, and to restore integrity to the Canadian Armed forces the Minister responsible for Defense (Peter Mackay) should investigate these accusation ASAP.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Unprecedented Court Martial Finds Canadian Soldier Not Guilty Of Murder

Capt. Robert Semrau was accused of killing a wounded insurgent.
Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press


Court Martial Finds Capt. Robert Semrau Not Guilty In Battlefield Death -- Winnipeg Free Press

GATINEAU, Qc - An unprecedented court martial has found Canadian Forces Capt. Robert Semrau not guilty of murder in a battlefield shooting in Afghanistan.

He was also acquitted of attempted murder and negligent performance of duty, but convicted on a military charge of disgraceful conduct.

Semrau's lawyers will be back in court Tuesday to present a Charter of Rights argument over military sentencing procedures. Conviction for disgraceful conduct carries a maximum prison term of five years.

Read more ....

More News On The Court Martial Of Canadian Forces Capt. Robert Semrau

Semrau acquitted of murder in battlefield death -- CTV
Robert Semrau found not guilty of murder -- Toronto Star
Canadian soldier found not guilty of murder -- Toronto Sun
Semrau acquitted of murder -- CBC
Semrau cleared of murder charge -- Globe And Mail
Semrau not guilty of murdering Taliban fighter -- National Post
A tale of four soldiers: the day that led to Robert Semrau's court martial -- Montreal Gazette

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Former Senior Canadian Commander In Afghanistan Charged

Brigadier-General Daniel Menard, right, speaks to the media following his court martial proceedings in Gatineau, Quebec May 25, 2010. BLAIR GABLE/REUTERS

Canadian General Charged With Obstruction Of Justice -- Toronto Star

OTTAWA—A Canadian general who lost his post heading troops in Afghanistan after the stunning revelation of a battlefield romance with a junior soldier has been charged with obstruction of justice, suggesting he tried to interfere with the investigation into his affair.

Just over a month after being unceremoniously pulled from the top job in Kandahar, Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard was hit Monday with four charges stemming from a

Read more ....

More News On Canada's Former Top General in Afghanistan Being Charged

Former senior commander in Afghanistan charged
-- AFP
Menard, female subordinate charged in sex case -- CTV
Former top soldier charged in affair scandal -- Toronto Sun
Former Afghan commander charged in sex case -- National Post
Canadian general charged in alleged affair -- UPI

Top general preaches morality to staff -- Winnipeg Free Press

My Comment: When a senior general gets charged for breaking military regulations and obstructing justice .... this is a sad day for everyone who wears the Canadian uniform.

Monday, May 31, 2010

The Disgrace And Fall Of A General

Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard, fired as head of the Forces in Afghanistan because of alleged sexual misconduct, is married to Major Julie Fortin, who commands a logistics company at CFB Valcartier. They have two children. Photograph by: BLAIR GABLE, REUTERS, Canwest News Service

General In Sex Scandal Fired -- National Post

Menard headed Canadian troops in Afghanistan

Brigadier-General Daniel Menard--who was fired late on Saturday as head of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan because of alleged sexual misconduct -- is the first Canadian general officer to be dismissed on the battlefield since the Second World War.

Brig.-Gen. Menard had been named to lead a critical NATO campaign against the Taliban in Kandahar -- a task that will now fall to his stopgap replacement, Brigadier-General Jon Vance. Brig.-Gen. Vance was in charge of the 2,800 Canadian troops in Afghanistan until six months ago, and will take over again until another general arrives at the end of September.

Read more ....

More News On The Firing Of Canadian Brigadier-General Daniel Menard

Commander of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan sacked -- The Telegraph
Canadian commander in Afghanistan relieved of duty -- CTV News
Senior Canadian commander relieved of post in Afghanistan -- AFP
Canadian CO relieved of Kandahar duty -- CBC
Grounding a rising military star -- Toronto Star
Head of Canada's forces in Afghanistan fired for misconduct -- The Independent
Canada's Afghan commander removed, misconduct alleged -- Reuters
Was to have led biggest campaign by NATO -- National Post
Daniel Ménard scandal leaves military reeling -- Globe And Mail
Profile: Menard's replacement, Brigadier-General Jon Vance -- National Post

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Canada's Top Afghan General Pleads Guilty At Court Martial

Brigadier-General Daniel Menard (R), Commander Joint Task Force Afghanistan, following his court martial proceedings in Gatineau, Quebec on May 25, 2010. Blair Gable/Reuters

Canadian Commander In Afghanistan Pleads Guilty At Court Martial -- National Post

GATINEAU, Que. - Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, the commander of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, was fined $3,500 after pleading guilty at a court martial Tuesday to neglect in handling his C8 rifle.

"It sends a message that nobody is above the law," defence lawyer Lt.-Col. Troy Sweet said after the fine, proposed jointly by defence and prosecution, was accepted by Judge Mario Dutil.

Read more
....

More News On The Court Martial Of Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard

General pleads guilty to misfiring weapon -- Globe And Mail
Top general fined for accidentally firing rifle -- CTV
Top soldier in Afghanistan fined for firing rifle -- Toronto Sun

My Comment: I tend to stay away from stories that deal with Canada's military .... it usually hits me very close to home. I am a Canadian, and over the past two years I have formed some very good friendships with many in the military and in the Department of Defense (what can I say .... they like this blog) .... and as a result I try not to "piss" in my own home. But as to the case against Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard .... let us say that I am not surprise.

Update: Michael Yon gets into this affair on his Facebook page, and he is brutal in his assessment. The link is here.

Monday, March 8, 2010

The Future Of The Canadian Armed Forces (Commentary)


From The National Post:

Last Thursday’s budget should silence the doubters: Canada’s mission in Afghanistan will end in 2011.

While some had suspected that Stephen Harper’s government might find a way to maintain a troop presence there, either by deploying a smaller contingent of troops on a rebranded mission or by appearing to be talked into it by Barack Obama, the budget makes clear that drawing down the war in Afghanistan and slowing the rate of military expenditures, will form a key part of the Conservative government’s plans to slay the deficit.

Read more ....

My Comment: The Canadian departure from Afghanistan has not played that much in the news, but its impact will be even greater than the Dutch decision to depart from Afghanistan. But no one should be surprised by this departure, after being involved in Afghanistan for almost 8 years the Canadian public have grown tired of this continuous conflict and believe that it is time for Canadian soldiers to come back home. With a minority government in Ottawa, their options are limited if they should make the decision to extend the mission .... in fact .... their options to stay are non-existent. Canadian troops will be home by the end of next year.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Canada's Military In Shock Over Arrest Of Top Colonel For Multiple Murders

Col. Russell Williams, centre, speaks to Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk, left, and Defence Minister Peter MacKay during a visit to CFB Trenton on Jan. 17. (Combat Camera)

Forces In 'Shock' Over Colonel's Arrest -- CBC

Canada's military is in a "state of shock" after the head of CFB Trenton was charged with murder and two violent home invasions, Gen. Walter Natynczyk, the chief of defence staff, said Wednesday.

Natynczyk spoke at a news conference after he addressed troops at Trenton, Canada’s largest military air base, where Col. Russell Williams was base commander.

Williams, 46, of Tweed, Ont., was arrested Sunday in Ottawa. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38.

Read more ....

More News On The Arrest Of Col. Russell Williams

Canadian Forces must ‘stand proud', top soldier declares -- Globe And Mail
Top commander's arrest like 'body blow', Natynczyk says -- Toronto Star
Chief of defence urges troops to 'stand proud' -- Toronto Sun
Murder charges may unfairly tarnish military's reputation -- Globe And Mail
Portrait of an accused predator -- Macleans
Accused colonel's Manitoba past to be probed -- CBC
Sidebar: Cold Cases -- Vancouver Sun

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Canada's Military Shocked With The Arrest Of A Respected Colonel For The Murders Of Two Women. Cold Cases Being Investigated

Col. Russell Williams, left, is shown with Defence Minister Peter MacKay, centre, and Gen. Walter Natynczyk, Canada's chief of defence staff, right. (Trentonian/QMI Agency)

Respected Colonel Charged With Murder Of Two Women -- Globe And Mail

It was on Sunday afternoon that Colonel Russell Williams, a decorated pilot who has delivered prime ministers and soldiers to remote locales around the world, agreed to sit down with a behavioural science expert from the Ontario Provincial Police.

What has happened since that interview has shaken the Canadian Forces, and the citizens of three small towns in Eastern Ontario: Police charged Col. Williams, the commander of Canada's largest Air Force base, with the murder of two women, and assaults on two others.

Read more ....

More News On This Murder Investigation

Canada may expand air commander murder probe -- Reuters
CFB Trenton commander charged with murder -- CBC
CFB Trenton commander charged with murder -- Toronto Sun
Gen.: Personnel at Trenton in a 'state of shock' -- Toronto Sun
Military commander charged with brutal murders -- Toronto Sun
CFB Trenton colonel charged with murders -- Montreal Gazette
Interim commander will replace Williams -- CBC
Biography: Col. Russell Williams -- CBC
Russ Williams' profile: A distinguished military man -- CTV
Colonel Russ Williams's biography -- Globe And Mail

My Comment: My friends in the Canadian Armed Forces are shocked with this report (so am I). Col. Russell Williams was on the fast track to becoming a General .... if not higher. This is a direct hit on the morale on all those who wear the uniform or who work for the DND.