Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Well, here we go again.
Base troops prepare for 2010 deployment
Posted By SEAN CHASE, STAFF WRITER
-With more than 2,000 local troops currently deploying in Afghanistan, Base Petawawa has started planning for its next major rotation to southwest Asia in 2010.
Base commander Lt.-Col. Bill Moore confirmed Thursday that a 1,000-soldier battle group and support units will begin training early next year for an anticipated seven-month tour to Kandahar scheduled for the spring of 2010.
"Any time after April you will see the pace pick up," Lt.-Col. Moore said after addressing Renfrew County mayors and reeves.
The battle group will be generated by the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment.
The base will also provide a provincial reconstruction team, an operational mentor and liaison team and a national support element.
Next fall, the Royal Canadian Dragoons will be sending a squadron to support a battle group from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
The deployment could be Petawawa's last major one before the end of Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan in 2011.
The base will also be sending a contingent headquarters later in 2010.
Discussing Petawawa's current engagement in Afghanistan, Lt.- Col. Moore told Renfrew County council up to 85 per cent of the 2,500 task force has arrived in the theatre of operations.
"The operations in Afghanistan are in command of Petawawa commanders. Some of our troops have been outside the wire over the last three weeks," he said. "Fortunately, to date there have been no serious issues."
Petawawa has seen increases in its operational budgets and civilian payrolls, he said.
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While the base's growth has been slowed down by continual deployments to Afghanistan, there will be an influx of 800 to 900 new troops over the next four years.
In addition, $200 million will be invested in infrastructure at the base over the next five years.
Emphasizing CFB Petawawa is always open to the community who wish to use its recreation facilities, Lt.-Col. Moore extended a special invitation to county council to convene a meeting on the base next year.
He added the soldiers greatly appreciate the support they have received from the people of the Ottawa Valley, especially during difficult episodes overseas.
"The moral support they receive makes a huge difference in their ability to do their job and the mission they face," he said.
While County Warden Janice Visneskie said she would recommend such a session to her successor, she took the opportunity to thank Petawawa's soldiers for their commitment to the defence of Canada.
"We are so proud of our 5,500 troops," said Warden Visneskie. "The people are so proud to have you and we can never thank you enough."
Laurentian Valley Mayor Jack Wilson said the public isn't getting the full picture of what Canadian soldiers are doing in Afghanistan in terms of rebuilding schools and infrastructure.
"You are getting the people's lives back together and I don't think there is enough recognition for what you are doing over there," said Mayor Wilson.
The base commander quashed rumours that the Joint Task Force- 2 would be relocating from Ottawa to Petawawa.
He also noted that some of the new Chinook medium-lift helicopters the Department of National Defence plans to purchase could be located at Petawawa.
DND will be purchasing six used U. S.-made Boeing D-Model Chinook helicopters. The Chinook helicopters will be in use by February, 2009, at a cost of $292 million.
The department will spend $4.2 billion on 16 new F-model Chinooks, which should be in service by 2013.
"Should Petawawa host some or all of those helicopters, it would have an impact," said Lt.-Col. Moore.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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