Conservative Government Won’t Give the Canadian Forces Permission to Talk About Their Involvement in RIMPAC 2012 But Here Are the Details

It’s even difficult for the Canadian Forces to get permission these days from the Conservative government to talk about what they consider “good news” stories. It’s almost a total clampdown on information.

Take for instance, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. It’s held every two years by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT).

The U.S. Navy announced two days ago that Canadian officers would be playing key roles in the exercise. But the Canadian Forces is silent on the subject since it still hasn’t got approval from Defence Minister Peter MacKay’s office and the Privy Council Office to send out a press release.

But why wait for that release? Here are the details as gathered so far by Defence Watch courtesy of the U.S. Navy:

This year’s RIMPAC exercise is scheduled from June 27 to August 7. Twenty-two nations, 42 surface ships, 6 submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate.

Units from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, and the United States will participate. Military personnel from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Republic of Philippines, Thailand, Tonga and the United Kingdom will also participate. The countries of Bangladesh, Brunei, Brazil, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka have been invited as observers.

The vessels/units/aircraft from Canada taking part in RIMPAC 2012 include:

    HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283)
    HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341)
    HMCS Victoria (SSK 876)
    HMCS Yellowknife (MM 706)
    HMCS Saskatoon (MM 709)
    HMCS Brandon (MM 710)
    Fleet diving unit (EOD & MIW)
    CP-140 Aurora
    CF-18 Hornet
    Sikorsky S-61
    CH-124A Sea King
    KC-150T Polaris
    KC-130T Hercules
    Infantry company

According to the U.S .Navy the RIMPAC “provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.”

RIMPAC 2012 marks the first time non-U.S. officers will command components of the combined task force during the exercise, according to the U.S. Navy.

Commodore Stuart Mayer of the Royal Australian Navy will command the Maritime Component and Brig. Gen. Michael Hood of the Royal Canadian Air Force will command the Air Component. Other key leaders of the multinational force include Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Ron Lloyd, deputy commander of the Combined Task Force (CTF), and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Rear Adm. Fumiyuki Kitagawa, vice commander of the CTF.

RIMPAC 2012 will feature amphibious operations; gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises as well as counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.
More from the U.S. Navy:

RIMPAC 2012 will feature the first demonstration of a U.S. Navy “Great Green Fleet,” during which U.S. surface combatants and carrier-based aircraft will test, evaluate and demonstrate the cross-platform utility and functionality of biofuels. This demonstration will also incorporate prototype energy efficiency initiatives such as solid state lighting, on-line gas turbine waterwash and energy management tools.

Original Article
Source: ottawa citizen
Author:  David Pugliese