ADN

Canadian military creating amphibious force

The Canadian military is about to create a special forces unit unlike anything it has had before, CBC News has learned.

The force, which will include 800 soldiers, sailors and air force personnel, will be mainly focused on maritime operations, but will also focus on areas such as counter-terrorism, sources said.

The force will be equipped with helicopters, submarines and possibly a leased amphibious assault ship ” a vessel that can bring ashore and support ground troops.

"Think of it as something like a mini United States Marine Corps," the CBC's Rob Gordon reported Tuesday from New Glasgow, N.S.

The marines, with about 200,000 troops, is a branch of the U.S. Navy that operates on land, sea and in the air.

Canada has studied the possibility of having a special force for a year, and sources told Gordon the military is now ready to move ahead with plans. No details were available about when the force will be operational.

The force will be able to work within Canada, assisting with coastal disasters where civilians are at risk.

The force will also be able to assist the Canadian military in its operations around the world. The military hopes the force will increase its global presence, Gordon reported.

Hey raum, have you heard anything about this? This doesn't make sense, man...

As best as me and some pals can figure, this is due to the possibility of a disaster being an impetus to Canadian seperatists and a surge in [largely] unregulated terrorists who have demonstrated presence on Canadian soil.

These troops are not like the Marines in that they are not specifically designated for deployment. Marines are (at least in the beginning) Navy boots on foreign soil. They are more like an enabled and militarily relevant homeland security force, to employed as a national guard against domestic militants, no mention of equipment moves to get them deployed, but they have a budget for it.

We firmly suspect that these troops are part of the "Canada First" initiative to solidify military sovereignty, as per the commitment made by the Conservatives in 2006.

I also think the Hezbollah incident was what really put a flame to this fire, and made it happen, and if these troops do get deployed, it is to get Canadians out of hostile areas.

At any rate, great story material for you, kramer!

Canada has a military?!?

Just kidding Kram-her.

QUOTE(deepdiver32073 @ Mar 7 2007, 08:36 PM) Canada has a military?!?

Just kidding Kram-her.

took the words out of my mouth/keyboard

what raum said made sense, I have been hearing about more threats to US interests having bases of operations in Canada.

Do we need to start worrying about Canada's plans to annex the US? I hope the Michigan Militia is on ready alert!

heh

CDR @ Michigan militia...According to that fat guy that does the documentary, those fuckers are ready for it...

Kramer, how does Canadian society respond to violence..? Americans are pretty much reared w/guns, but you guys have made it seem like Canada is not that into them...And guns and warfare is the direct focus of any military, let alone a special ops group...

How do you think the public will respond..?

That makes sense raum.

My problem is this: it's going to completely deplete our military. The Canadian Forces is only about 60,000 strong, and we already have JTF taking soldiers from that pool.

I'm not sure the CF has the size required for two special forces units. I just see this as depleting the CF and reducing the quality of the guys we bring into JTF.

Just my opinion. lol

AYHJA, I'll answer your question this way... Canadians bitch about the joining the U.S. star wars program... but they also bitch whenever we spend money on defence... o_0