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Military plans to create Canadian Space Division

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“We are looking forward to this very important milestone in the further development of the RCAF’s capabilities and skills for space operations.”

From: Ottawa Citizen

The Canadian Forces will create a new group to focus on the growing importance of space to military operations and the country’s security.

The idea of establishing a Canadian Space Division has been circulating at National Defence headquarters in Ottawa since 2019, but it is now expected to be in place by September.

“3 Canadian Space Division is expected to be stood-up in the coming weeks,” Maj. Jill Lawrence, a public affairs officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s director general of space, confirmed Wednesday. “We are looking forward to this very important milestone in the further development of the RCAF’s capabilities and skills for space operations.”

Royal Canadian Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Adamson, director general for space, said earlier this year that Canada was looking at following its allies who had created similar organizations.

Australia earlier this year announced it was creating a defence space command, but no details were available on the size of the organization. As U.S. president, Donald Trump ordered the creation of the United States Space Force in 2019 with more than 8,000 personnel. In April 2021, Britain stood up its Space Command to coordinate space operations and procurement of space systems. It has around 400 staff.

Canada’s division will be much smaller. Adamson told the U.S. publication, Space News, earlier this year there were around 180 personnel working on space-related defence issues. “We’re hoping to grow the enterprise across the entire Canadian Forces up to 270,” he said.

The overall figure will include Department of National Defence civilian personnel and military staff working on space-related tasks in operations centres. “It makes logical sense for us to look at standing up a Canadian Space Division that basically generates those forces that will then be able to be employed in operations for army, air force, navy and SOF (special operations forces),” Adamson said.

The division would be responsible to the Royal Canadian Air Force commander for the generation of space capabilities for various missions. The RCAF is responsible for defending and protecting military space capabilities and developing space-based capabilities for the Canadian Forces. Procurement of space systems will still be handled by various organizations in the RCAF, National Defence and Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Space-based systems have a significant place in the lives of the Canadian public, which relies on such equipment for everything from banking transactions to daily weather reports.

In the military realm, Canadian soldiers regularly use space-based assets to operate effectively on the battlefield. Such systems do everything from allowing long-range communications to guiding weapons to their targets. The Department of National Defence uses space systems to monitor the maritime approaches of the nation and conduct surveillance on locations around the world.

Adamson has pointed out that he has been educating senior Canadian military commanders not only about the importance of space, but also the potential threats to the space-based capabilities they need.

National Defence has plans to spend billions of dollars on space systems in the coming years. It is looking at a future replacement system for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, a satellite system that provides surveillance information from around the globe.

In addition, the military wants to put in place a new satellite system allowing for communications in the Arctic. Initial operating capability for that was set for 2029, but that has since been moved to 2032. Other nations have also expressed interest in that polar communications project, which is expected to cost billions of dollars. Those countries include New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, France, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

Space-based systems are also expected to play a key role in the upcoming modernization of the joint Canada-U.S. North American Aerospace Defence Command.

Gen. Jonathan Vance obstruction of justice case headed for trial in May 2023

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Retired Gen. Jonathan Vance‘s obstruction of justice case will go to trial in May 2023.

Ten days of trial dates were set during a brief, virtual courtroom hearing this morning, three months after military police charged the former chief of the defence staff following a sexual misconduct investigation.

The case is proceeding through the civilian court system after investigators referred it there, citing what they described as “the limitations of the military justice system” in trying Canada’s top military officer.

The former defence chief, who retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in April, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service alleged in court documents that Vance repeatedly contacted a woman identified as “K.B.” in early February and “tried to persuade her to make false statements about their past relationship” to military investigators.

Global News first reported on Feb. 2, 2021, that Vance was facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour from two female subordinates. Military police opened an investigation shortly afterwards and on July 15, laid the charge of obstruction of justice against Vance.

One of the women at the heart of the allegations, Maj. Kellie Brennan, told a parliamentary committee in April that she and Vance had an inappropriate relationship that started in 2001 and continued after he became chief of the defence staff in 2015.

Brennan also told the committee she had recorded Vance telling her on the phone what to tell military police, and had turned those recordings over to the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.

Global News reported on Aug. 13 that Vance had contacted Brennan multiple times before and after Global News reported on the allegations against him, and advised her of the need to be “clear on our story, and that you stick to it.”

Global News obtained recordings of three phone conversations between Vance and Maj. Kellie Brennan that took place on Feb. 1. According to these records, Vance told her he had been contacted by Global News about allegations that he said “could be life-changing for both of us in a bad way.”

He told her: “Change your number. Get a new phone.”

“If there is an allegation that we engaged in sexual relations while I was the CDS and you were in the military, that would be devastating. And so it’s a good thing we didn’t,” Vance said to Brennan.

“I just wanted to make certain that you’re clear on our story and that you stick to it.”

Vance said repeatedly through the calls that what he was describing was the truth.

“I will, you know, tell them the story that we’ve gone over today, which is, you know, the truth and — as I described it to you — and then, you know, see where they want to take it,” he told Brennan. “They may investigate, they may not.”

In September, Global News also reported that military police had decided not to pursue any charges against Vance within the military justice system in relation to the allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

When pressed for an explanation as to why the probe into any possible military service violations ended on Aug. 6 with no charges, a military police spokesperson pointed to a recent report from former Supreme Court justice Morris Fish, which warned it was “legally impossible” under the current rules to try someone of Vance’s rank in the military system.

A senior defence source confirmed to Global News the decision to end the investigation without any military code of service charges was specifically tied to Vance’s rank as a four-star general.

With files from Global News’ Mercedes Stephenson, Marc-Andre Cossette and Amanda Connolly

Gen. Jonathan Vance, announces retirement

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After five years, Vance is one of the longest serving defence chiefs in the country’s history

Gen. Jonathan Vance, the country’s top military commander, has announced his retirement.

A letter informing the troops of his planned departure was posted on social media Thursday. It says that he’s informed the Governor General, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan of his decision “to relinquish command of the Canadian Armed Forces in the months to come.”

He said it will be up to the government to select a new chief of the defence staff and decide when the change of command will take place.

“I’m a bit excited,” Vance said in an interview with CBC News, when asked about the future. “I’m not just blowing sunshine here. I’m excited to see what the next person will do to keep the institution moving forward.”

Vance has held the post for just over five years — often tumultuous ones — making him one of the longest serving defence chiefs in the country’s history.

He was appointed in 2015 by then-prime minister Stephen Harper.

Vance said he has no post-military career plans, other than “getting a really good sleep” and spending time with family.

He also was reluctant to describe what he sees as his legacy, adding that he doesn’t plan to write a memoir or “get into punditry” about military or defence issues.

“I’m not all that concerned about my legacy,” he said. “My legacy is, I took command, I did the best I could and I left. And hopefully, I left the place better than I found it.”

His tenure was marked by a high-profile campaign to stamp out sexual misconduct in the military and the politically-charged case involving former vice-admiral Mark Norman, who was accused of leaking cabinet secrets to a Quebec shipyard and the media.

Within some political and defence circles, Vance was accused of not doing enough to stand up for Norman, his former vice-chief of the defence staff, in the face of the allegations. The criminal case against Norman was stayed after the defence dug up evidence that the RCMP and the Crown had not considered.

The decision to suspend Norman in 2017 as the federal police force opened its investigation was, he said, the hardest call he had to make during five years in the job. 

“I regret that it happened, but my actions, and what I did, I did it the right way, the way I had to do it. Didn’t like it, but there are lots of things I don’t like,” Vance said.

Throughout the controversies, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said repeatedly that he had full confidence in Vance, who was also assigned the thorny task of implementing the Liberal government’s defence policy.

‘I am so very proud’

Vance has been touted as a possible candidate to head NATO’s Military Committee, a position that has not been held by a Canadian for more than 15 years.

The chairman’s post is expected to become vacant next year and the NATO alliance has been actively canvassing nations with an interest in leading the advisory body.

But the Liberal government last week formally refused to put Vance’s name forward, defence sources told CBC News.

Vance confirmed the government has elected not to pursue the competition, but said he wasn’t told the reason. 

He made no secret of his interest in the job, but has said in public previously that if the NATO position was not available, after five years as defence chief, it would be time for him to retire.

In his letter to the troops, Vance praised them and described them as “the inspiration for my life,” saying he had given them his all.

He told Canadian Forces members that they are “more important to the success of this nation than ‎most will ever know, and I am so very proud to be counted among your ranks.”

A member of the army for 39 years, Vance did two tours commanding the Canadian task force in Kandahar before going on to a series of high-profile posts, including head of the military’s overseas command and deputy commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples in 2014.

The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement today saying that Vance will continue to serve until he turns the command over to the new chief of the defence staff, “who will be named in the coming months.”

“In his five years as chief of the defence staff, General Vance has served with distinction during a challenging period, leading the Canadian Armed Forces as they served at home and around the world, from Mali to Ukraine to Iraq,” Trudeau said in the statement. “He has also worked with the Forces to make them more inclusive and representative of the country they defend and the Canadians they protect.

“With almost 40 years of service, General Vance has devoted his life to this country and we thank him for his dedication and leadership.”

From: Murray Brewster · CBC News

Troops, vehicles to move through to CFB Borden for anti-coronavirus fight

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The military is advising people in the Toronto area to expect a large number of its personnel and vehicles on the roads starting on Monday.

The Department of National Defence says members of the Joint Task Force Central will be heading from units across Ontario to Canadian Forces Base Borden.

The movement is part of the government’s fight against COVID-19.

Hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces members will be involved.

The department says the aim is to form a task force at Borden.

The troops will then be ready to respond to any requests from the government to help deal with COVID-19 or potential spring flooding.

Voluntary Delay of Releases from the Canadian Armed Forces due to COVID-19

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UNCLASSIFIED

REFS: A.QR&O 15.02 RELEASE AS OF RIGHT
B.CDS DESIGNATED RELEASE AUTHORITIES TABLE – REGULAR FORCE DATED 01 DEC 2017
C. CDS DESIGNATED RELEASE AUTHORITIES TABLE – RESERVE FORCE DATED 01 DEC 2017
D. QR(AND)O 15.17 AND 15.31 RELEASE OF OFFICERS AND NCMS – RETIREMENT AGE
E. QR&O 15.03 RELEASE DATE
F. CANADIAN FORCES PENSION ACT, ARTICLE 16 (1) (A)
G. QR&O 9.05 SERVICE WITH CONSENT

  1. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS HAD AND WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE, UNDERSTANDABLY, CONCERNED. THE CAF AND DND ARE DOING THEIR PART TO ASSIST CANADA AND CANADIANS AND WE WILL ASSIST FURTHER BY CREATING LESS BURDEN ON THE PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL HEALTH SERVICES BY DELAYING, WHERE IT IS APPROPRIATE AND DESIRED, RELEASES OF CAF PERSONNEL UNTIL THE SITUATION STABILIZES FURTHER
  2. THE CAF HAS SEEN DECREASED RECRUITING AND TRAINING RESULTING FROM MEASURES RELATED TO COVID 19 SAFETY AND SECURITY. DELAYS TO RELEASES WILL ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR MEMBERS WHILE REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE RISKS AND PRESERVING OUR CAF STRENGTH
  3. TO THIS END, CAF MEMBERS WHO WISH TO VOLUNTARILY CHANGE THEIR RELEASE DATE, INCLUDING THOSE BEING MEDICALLY RELEASED ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THEIR CHAIN OF COMMAND (COC) TO DETERMINE IF THE OPTION TO DELAY RELEASE IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEM. YOUR COC WILL, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOU AND AUTHORIZED RELEASE AUTHORITIES, ASSIST IN COORDINATING NEW RELEASE TIMINGS THAT ARE SUFFICIENTLY DELAYED AS NOT TO BE IMPACTED BY COVID 19 RELATED ISSUES. THE CURRENT RELEASE TARGET DATE SHOULD NOT BE BEFORE 31 AUGUST
  4. FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR EXISTING PLANS TO RELEASE, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME DELAYS IN ADMINSTRATIVE SUPPORT DUE TO REDUCED STAFFING IN UNITS. YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND FLEXIBILITY IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES ARE APPRECIATED
  5. FOR MEMBERS WHOSE OFFICIAL RELEASE HAS ALREADY BEEN ACTIONED IN GUARDIAN AND WHO HAVE CONDUCTED THEIR FINAL RELEASE INTERVIEW, YOUR RELEASE WILL PROCEED AS PLANNED
  6. FOR MEMBERS WHO ARE BEING RELEASED BY DMCA UNDER RELEASE ITEM 2A, 5D OR 5F, THE RELEASE DATES CURRENTLY ADVERTISED WILL BE RETAINED WHERE FEASIBLE
  7. FOR MEMBERS WHO ARE BEING RELEASED BY DMCA UNDER RELEASE ITEM 1, THE NORMAL RELEASE PROCESS WILL BE FOLLOWED AND THE RELEASE DATE SHALL BE AS SOON AS PRACTICAL AFTER THE AWARDING OF THE PUNISHMENT IAW REF E
  8. IF YOU REQUEST TO DELAY YOUR DATE OF RELEASE, THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED:
    1. MEMBERS WITH PENSION CONCERNS DUE TO A DELAY OF RELEASE DATE MUST CONTACT PENSION SERVICES AT 1-800-267-0325. THEY WILL ASSIST YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES IN MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS
    2. MEMBERS WHO WILL REACH THE COMPULSARY RETIREMENT AGE 60 (CRA 60) BEFORE RELEASE WILL NEED TO SEEK APPROVAL THROUGH YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND FOR AN EXTENSION. SUCH REQUESTS WILL BE PROCESSED EXPEDITIOUSLY TO ENSURE NO GAP IN PAY NOR SERVICES
    3. FOR MEMBERS ON AN INTERMEDIATE ENGAGEMENT PERIOD 20 (IE 20), YOU MUST CONTACT PENSION SERVICES AT 1-800-267-0325, TO DISCUSS PENSION IMPLICATIONS CAUSED BY A DELAY OF RELEASE DATE
    4. FOR RESERVE FORCE MEMBERS, PROPER DOCUMENTATION FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C ROUTE LETTERS AND STATEMENTS OF UNDERSTANDING ARE STILL REQUIRED AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE MEMBERS’ CONSENT. YOUR RESERVE FORCE COMPENSATION DOCUMENTATION WILL NEED TO BE AMENDED BY THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY. EMPLOYING UNITS WILL ASSIST MEMBERS WITH NECESSARY PAPERWORK AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO RETAIN MEMBERS ON UNIT STRENGTH UNTIL RELEASE
  9. YOU RETAIN THE RIGHT TO RELEASE AND NOTHING IN THIS CFG IS INTENDED TO IMPEDE THESE RIGHTS. THE DELAYED RELEASE OPTION ABOVE IS BEING OFFERED TO ENSURE THAT CAF MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE EFFECTIVELY SUPPORTED IN A TIME OF INCREASED UNCERTAINTY
  10. QUESTIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO RELEASE BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION (RBA) [email protected] OR IN THE CASE OF MEDICAL AND MISCONDUCT RELEASES CONTACT DMCA POSITIONAL MAIL BOX DMCAADMINREVIEWQUERIES(AT)FORCES.GC.CA.
  11. CMP S ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE CENTRE (ARC) IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE CLARIFICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF CMP PERSONNEL POLICIES. CONTACT THE ARC AT: [email protected](PLUS CMP ARC – CRA CPM AT CMP DGMP AT OTTAWA-HULL) OR BY CALLING 1-833-445-1182. PLEASE ALSO FEEL FREE TO VISIT ARC AT URL:
    HTTP://CMP.MIL.CA/EN/SUPPORT/MILITARY-PERSONNEL/ADMINISTRATIVE-RESPONSE-CENTRE.PAGE (ENGLISH)
    HTTP://CMP.MIL.CA/FR/SOUTIEN/PERSONNEL-MILITAIRE/CENTRE-DE-REPONSES-ADMININSTRATIVES.PAGE (FRENCH)

Military says no link between movement of armoured vehicles and COVID crisis

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The Canadian Armed Forces is shooting down suggestions of a link between the movement of a large number of army trucks and armoured vehicles and the COVID-19 crisis, after video of the vehicles spurred questions about a potential military mobilization.

Video of the military vehicles being transported by rail circulated on social media over the weekend, sparking calls to the Department of National Defence over whether the Forces was mobilizing or otherwise preparing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the Defence Department says the vehicles were returning from a training exercise that was to be held at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta in May. Canadian Army commander Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre cancelled Exercise Maple Resolve last week due to COVID-19.

In response to the social media posts, the Quebec-based 2nd Canadian Division made its own video using the same footage superimposed with the words “No link with the coronavirus.” The message was repeated in French.

The spread of the videos and questions about a potential military mobilization nonetheless sparked concerns within the Defence Department, which has been on heightened alert for false information — deliberate and unintentional — given the current climate with COVID-19.

“The risks and impacts of misinformation during this critical period are real and need close and careful monitoring,” department spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier said in a statement.

“While it is normal and expected that the public are, at this time, far more sensitive to the public environment, the viral propagation of inaccurate or decontextualized content could lead to confusion or impact efforts to flatten the curve.”

The Canadian military has curbed many of its activities in light of COVID-19. Training exercises and some operations have been suspended or cancelled to protect the force from the respiratory illness and ensure the military is ready to respond should it be called upon.

The frigate HMCS Fredericton has been ordered to cancel a number of port visits and ceremonies during its deployment with a NATO fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, while two other naval vessels are cutting short their drug-interdiction efforts and returning home from the Caribbean.

The military has stopped providing updates on the number of service members who have contracted COVID-19, suggesting the information could be used by adversaries.

Chief of the defence staff Gen. Jonathan Vance warned in a letter to military personnel last Friday that they needed to “face the reality that the three-week operational pause we are experiencing now may continue.”