Why Not A New Arctic Base Instead Of A New International Military Base?

[dumpthemonarchy]

How about building an Arctic base first, or two? Seems like they are needed more than a new Canadian military base somewhere else in the world. We need much more than aboriginals patrolling the north to maintain sovereignty there.

Canada considering international bases: MacKay - Politics - CBC News


Canada considering international bases: MacKay

Canada is looking at setting up bases around the world to better position the military to participate in international missions, Defence Minister Peter MacKay confirmed Thursday.

The Canadian Forces does "prudent planning," MacKay told reporters, taking into account the ability to participate in international missions.

There are no plans to set up permanent bases around the world, but the planning happens to ensure Canada has options in case the military needs to deploy from another country, a government source said.

"As we look out into the future what we obviously try to do is anticipate where and when we will be needed, but it's difficult with any certainty to make those plans, without talking to other countries, without doing internal examinations," Mackay said.

"The focus of the planning, let's be clear, is our capability for expeditionary participation in international missions.... We are big players in NATO. We're a country that has become a go-to nation in response to situations like what we're seeing in Libya, what we saw in Haiti...

"We are constantly working within that paradigm of countries, to see where we can bring that niche capability to bear. It's part of planning and preparation, in conjunction with our equipment needs."

A report in Montreal newspaper Le Devoir said the Canadian Forces is negotiating to set up bases under a program known as the Operational Support Hubs Network. They've reportedly already completed negotiations with Germany and Jamaica, and are in talks with Kuwait, Senegal, Kenya or Tanzania, Singapore and South Korea.

Canada did have a base in the United Arab Emirates, known as Camp Mirage, to ease access to Afghanistan, but was kicked out after a dispute over commercial landing rights in Canada.

The Canadian Forces had to scramble to set up an alternative base in Cyprus. They also use a base in Germany for staging.

MacKay also said Thursday he believes that Canada will receive the first of its new F-35 fighter jets as scheduled in 2016, despite reports that manufacturer Lockheed Martin is saying it can't meet this country's delivery date. "That's the date we're banking on, that's the information we've been given by the company," he said.

There's also controversy over the cost of the stealth fighters, which the government pegs at $9 billion. But others say the cost could exceed $30 billion.

 

[JLM]

How about building an Arctic base first, or two? Seems like they are needed more than a new Canadian military base somewhere else in the world. We need much more than aboriginals patrolling the north to maintain sovereignty there.


Canada considering international bases: MacKay - Politics - CBC News


Canada considering international bases: MacKay

By Laura Payton, CBC News

Posted: Jun 2, 2011 1:48 PM ET

Last Updated: Jun 2, 2011 7:31 PM ET



Beginning of Story Content

Canada is looking at setting up bases around the world to better position the military to participate in international missions, Defence Minister Peter MacKay confirmed Thursday.

The Canadian Forces does "prudent planning," MacKay told reporters, taking into account the ability to participate in international missions.

There are no plans to set up permanent bases around the world, but the planning happens to ensure Canada has options in case the military needs to deploy from another country, a government source said.

"As we look out into the future what we obviously try to do is anticipate where and when we will be needed, but it's difficult with any certainty to make those plans, without talking to other countries, without doing internal examinations," Mackay said.
"The focus of the planning, let's be clear, is our capability for expeditionary participation in international missions.... We are big players in NATO. We're a country that has become a go-to nation in response to situations like what we're seeing in Libya, what we saw in Haiti...

"We are constantly working within that paradigm of countries, to see where we can bring that niche capability to bear. It's part of planning and preparation, in conjunction with our equipment needs."

A report in Montreal newspaper Le Devoir said the Canadian Forces is negotiating to set up bases under a program known as the Operational Support Hubs Network. They've reportedly already completed negotiations with Germany and Jamaica, and are in talks with Kuwait, Senegal, Kenya or Tanzania, Singapore and South Korea.

Canada did have a base in the United Arab Emirates, known as Camp Mirage, to ease access to Afghanistan, but was kicked out after a dispute over commercial landing rights in Canada.

The Canadian Forces had to scramble to set up an alternative base in Cyprus. They also use a base in Germany for staging.
MacKay also said Thursday he believes that Canada will receive the first of its new F-35 fighter jets as scheduled in 2016, despite reports that manufacturer Lockheed Martin is saying it can't meet this country's delivery date. "That's the date we're banking on, that's the information we've been given by the company," he said.

There's also controversy over the cost of the stealth fighters, which the government pegs at $9 billion. But others say the cost could exceed $30 billion.

I think that is an excellent idea, we should have a greater presence in the Arctic as eventually when the rest of Canada is all screwed up, it will be the most valuable part of the country. Maybe dump some fill at the North Pole and build a high tower so we could keep an eye on all sides of the world.

 

[lone wolf]

Much more than aboriginals? Ever seen one of those people shoot?

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

Well this would have been a dynamite idea if the cold war was still going on. Except, it's not and there are more things to consider when talking about crap you obviously don't want to or can't comprehend. The idea of extending our reach internationally offers better logistic support for whatever mission we might be involved in. Whether it is humanitarian, peacekeeping, or all out search and destroy. Having bases in places like the Phillipnes or Europe offers an immediate jump of point.

Now I know there are folks here who don't really want a military unless they can tell themselves that our troops are working for peace and love and giving candy to kids while helping little old ladies across busy streets, but that just isn't reality. Even while peace-keeping in the former Yugoslavia our soldiers were engaged in firefights. We lost a few guys in that Jean Chretien/Bill Clinton feel-good mission by the way. We even lost a couple in Cyprus.

We have ships that can patrol our Northern Waters, but our Air Force and Army need a rear echelon when deployed around the world.

As far as entertaining a northern base in the big chill. We have Alert and and also receive support in Greenland. The cold presents all sorts of issues long term for equipment and the cost attributed to maintaining a full size base would be a hell of a lot higher than that of a foreign base.

 

[Tonington]

I wouldn't want to build on top of thawing permafrost...but I guess of it's taxpayer money, who cares what the bloated costs are...

 

[JLM]

I wouldn't want to build on top of thawing permafrost...but I guess of it's taxpayer money, who cares what the bloated costs are...

No, better on pontoons in the Arctic Ocean!

 

[petros]

Useless. 100% useless.

Who came up with this retarded idea?

It's mostly rock BTW.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

The cold war is over but there are still threats out there that may one day pose a threat to our portion of the Arctic. The base need not be huge, it need not even be a military base, but perhaps something like a coast guard so we know what ships are passing through the Northwest Passage-which we don't know right now. But we need a moder 24/7 presence up there or we will not be taken seriously by the world, or challengers.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

The cold war is over but there are still threats out there that may one day pose a threat to our portion of the Arctic. The base need not be huge, it need not even be a military base, but perhaps something like a coast guard so we know what ships are passing through the Northwest Passage-which we don't know right now. But we need a moder 24/7 presence up there or we will not be taken seriously by the world, or challengers.

We already do.

 

[petros]

The cold war is over but there are still threats out there that may one day pose a threat to our portion of the Arctic. The base need not be huge, it need not even be a military base, but perhaps something like a coast guard so we know what ships are passing through the Northwest Passage-which we don't know right now. But we need a moder 24/7 presence up there or we will not be taken seriously by the world, or challengers.

Drones and a satellite are all that are needed.

 

[MHz]

Useless. 100% useless.

Who came up with this retarded idea?

It's mostly rock BTW.

True on all 3 points, ...... but if it was a public works project that would help the economy sink faster, sinking is not a bad thing apparently so speeding it up shouldn't harm anything.

Blast the insides out of one of the most northern islands that way we don't really disturb anyone. A runway made out of granite 1/4 mile thick might make a good runway once you get the high points knocked off. It doesn't matter if nobody is going to come from that direction, it has to be defended at all costs, an that is the actual price-tag for one so we might as well build a few.


Update, lol. It would be a refurbish then. An automatic unlimited broadband connection once they have something more permanent than an idling aircraft.

The cold war is over but there are still threats out there that may one day pose a threat to our portion of the Arctic. The base need not be huge, it need not even be a military base, but perhaps something like a coast guard so we know what ships are passing through the Northwest Passage-which we don't know right now. But we need a moder 24/7 presence up there or we will not be taken seriously by the world, or challengers.

Now your're talking military protection so the toll for cargo ships can be collected. Might I suggest they also sink any fishing boats trying to sneak into Hudson's Bay to steal the fish, ..... once somebody grows some that is.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

True on all 3 points, ...... but if it was a public works project that would help the economy sink faster, sinking is not a bad thing apparently so speeding it up shouldn't harm anything.

Blast the insides out of one of the most northern islands that way we don't really disturb anyone. A runway made out of granite 1/4 mile thick might make a good runway once you get the high points knocked off. It doesn't matter if nobody is going to come from that direction, it has to be defended at all costs, an that is the actual price-tag for one so we might as well build a few.


Update, lol. It would be a refurbish then. An automatic unlimited broadband connection once they have something more permanent than an idling aircraft.


Now your're talking military protection so the toll for cargo ships can be collected. Might I suggest they also sink any fishing boats trying to sneak into Hudson's Bay to steal the fish, ..... once somebody grows some that is.

Here's a bit of newsflash, the world's population is growing and they want resources, and the Arctic has resources. Russia worries a bit that Siberia is very thinly populated and a billion Chinese live not too far away who are looking for resources any where they can find them and Siberia is filled with useful stuff that industry needs.

One international base must be balanced by one new Arctic base. We have to show the world we have a regular presence over a vast territory or countries that see international law as an inconvenient impediment may have other ideas.

 

[Unforgiven]

Well this would have been a dynamite idea if the cold war was still going on. Except, it's not and there are more things to consider when talking about crap you obviously don't want to or can't comprehend. The idea of extending our reach internationally offers better logistic support for whatever mission we might be involved in. Whether it is humanitarian, peacekeeping, or all out search and destroy. Having bases in places like the Phillipnes or Europe offers an immediate jump of point.

Now I know there are folks here who don't really want a military unless they can tell themselves that our troops are working for peace and love and giving candy to kids while helping little old ladies across busy streets, but that just isn't reality. Even while peace-keeping in the former Yugoslavia our soldiers were engaged in firefights. We lost a few guys in that Jean Chretien/Bill Clinton feel-good mission by the way. We even lost a couple in Cyprus.

We have ships that can patrol our Northern Waters, but our Air Force and Army need a rear echelon when deployed around the world.

As far as entertaining a northern base in the big chill. We have Alert and and also receive support in Greenland. The cold presents all sorts of issues long term for equipment and the cost attributed to maintaining a full size base would be a hell of a lot higher than that of a foreign base.

Sounds like cold weather pussy talk to me. "I want to be stationed in the Philippines or somewhere warm so I can work on my soldier boy tan for the season in Europe." "What would the girls say if I showed up white and flabby while they are all tanned and buff?" I think Marcy here is a little too soft for real soldier work now. Too many Colonics in Kelowna and not enough bannock in in Baffin Island I say!

No we need a jump on point in the North and we need to toughen up to serve the country right. Too many warm and comfy places like Afghanistan and Cyprus.

The old man used to drill those new punks by taking them on a January walk from North of La Ronge to Athabasca with nothing more than his pipe tobacco and a can of Bully Beef with no key. Some say they were the coolest soldiers.
Not these long hair sitting round the tent in flip flops and shorts pullin' at their tally whackers all night.

They used to punch Ruskie subs to death in those days.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

Sounds like cold weather pussy talk to me. "I want to be stationed in the Philippines or somewhere warm so I can work on my soldier boy tan for the season in Europe." "What would the girls say if I showed up white and flabby while they are all tanned and buff?" I think Marcy here is a little too soft for real soldier work now. Too many Colonics in Kelowna and not enough bannock in in Baffin Island I say!

Well you listen here Laddy. You didn't spend 2/3 of your career doing winter warfare on the Tundra. So I need my Colonics in Kelowna.

No we need a jump on point in the North and we need to toughen up to serve the country right. Too many warm and comfy places like Afghanistan and Cyprus. The old man used to drill those new punks by taking them on a January walk from North of La Ronge to Athabasca with nothing more than his pipe tobacco and a can of Bully Beef with no key. Some say they were the coolest soldiers.

When the troops called me a heater pig I used to reply. "Any idiot can be cold."

Not these long hair sitting round the tent in flip flops and shorts pullin' at their tally whackers all night.

They used to punch Ruskie subs to death in those days.

The only Ruskies I remember that invoked punching looked like this.

No shame in pullings one's tally wacker.

 

[petros]

There is nothing to protect when ANYONE can come and buy ore bodies,oil/gas reserves and trees outright legally without having to fire a single shot.

Example: South Korea plans on building an LNG port on the Mac Delta to move THEIR gas from Yukon and Alaska to make more steel for KIA's and big Hyundai ships.

When they take over N Korea they'll need shtloads more and will probably build another.

Where the hell have you people been that you don't know this?

 

[taxslave]

But the generals and legions of senior bureaucrats at DND don't want a free vacation in the arctic. They want to go where either the fishing is good or the little boys and girls are cheap.

 

[GreenFish66]

Any buildings built in the Arctic , will Probably be built to hold meetings.
Meetings held mostly to make plans.
Plans to Dig, Drill Up/Ship In/Shipt out /Divide up Resources.
Ship it all out !..Shippin' all over the place.Till there's nothing left to ship..
"Halt Shippin'!.There's nothing left but S**T!, to Ship..Captain.."
"I, 1st mate, This ship has shipt its last...
T 'is S**T Everywhere!.."
-----------------------------------

I Dream The Infinite Universe is the Final Frontier......
But I fear it is the Artic.
(A Fear, I Fear, we will all have to Face..)

No One Should do anything there..

((Human Assisted) Global Warming is already doing it from everywhere else..)

Let's See how those meetings go first....

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

But the generals and legions of senior bureaucrats at DND don't want a free vacation in the arctic. They want to go where either the fishing is good or the little boys and girls are cheap.

Care to explain the underlined. Am I misunderstanding the intent of this post?

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Any buildings built in the Arctic , will Probably be built to hold meetings.
Meetings held mostly to make plans.
Plans to Dig, Drill Up/Ship In/Shipt out /Divide up Resources.
Ship it all out !..Shippin' all over the place.Till there's nothing left to ship..
"Halt Shippin'!.There's nothing left but S**T!, to Ship..Captain.."
"I, 1st mate, This ship has shipt its last...
T 'is S**T Everywhere!.."
-----------------------------------

I Dream The Infinite Universe is the Final Frontier......
But I fear it is the Artic.
(A Fear, I Fear, we will all have to Face..)

No One Should do anything there..

((Human Assisted) Global Warming is already doing it from everywhere else..)

Let's See how those meetings go first....

Kind of strange responses for such an important subject. This one and others. You could be in the wrong section bud. Sounds like sky and ground worship.