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 Three polar bears approach the starboard bow of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Honolulu (SSN 718) while it was surfaced 280 miles from the North Pole in October 2003. Sighted by a lookout from the bridge (sail) of the submarine, the bears investigated the boat for almost two hours before leaving. USS Honolulu was there to conduct classified operations in the Arctic and collect scientific data and water samples for U.S. and Canadian universities as part of an agreement with the Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Last week, the Department of National Defence announced new surveillance measures to enforce Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. - U.S. Navy photo by Chief Yeoman Alphonso Braggs |
Announced in Ottawa last week as part of a new international affairs policy, the Canadian Forces says it will place a "greater emphasis on the defence of Canada and North."
It calls for new utility aircraft that could double as search and rescue planes, use of satellite surveillance, more sovereignty patrols, new surface scanning radar, additional resources for the Rangers, and more patrols by updated Aurora aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
"It's a recognition of the need to expand our role in the Arctic and the new challenges of protecting Canadian sovereignty," said Defence Minister Bill Graham from Ottawa.
Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of defence staff, called it a "Canada-first attitude" that will see the creation of a new Canada command, which will encompass Canadian Forces Northern Area (CFNA).
"You will see a more active (military) presence across the North," Hillier told News/North.
CFNA commander Col. Norm Couturier said a military team will visit the North in May to begin planning the new command structure and decide if the Yellowknife headquarters has the "right structural capabilities and personnel."
He said in addition to smaller operations with Rangers and regular forces and a large exercise like Operation Narwhal near Panniqtuuq last summer, there will likely be four to five visits by up to 150 soldiers each year.
In March 2006, Fort Providence, NWT, will host an advanced winter warfare exercise. "I'm trying to get it re-instated to happen every year," said Couturier. "It gives a lot of people from down south the chance to come up to hone their skills."
Couturier said the Rangers will likely get improved capability to communicate with regular forces using satellite telephone.
"Typical high frequency military radio does not work in the North," he said.
He also wants to have Ranger patrols in every Northern community. Right now, seven of the North's 65 communities do not.
Long a critic of Canadian efforts to enforce Arctic sovereignty, University of Calgary's Dr. Rob Huebert called the announcement "extremely significant."
"We're seeing the strongest political will," said Huebert, a professor with the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies.
"This has convinced me (Prime Minister Paul) Martin is serious about the Arctic. The vision is there.
"The downside is that everything is going to be erased as soon as an election is called," said Huebert.
He said it's also too early to tell whether the new national command and establishment of a standing contingency force of 800 soldiers will beef up the military's ability to respond to a crisis in the Arctic.
Hillier said he hopes to have a plan outlining what equipment and training the Canadian Forces need to fulfill this new mandate within six months.
He was non-committal when asked if the $13 billion promised the military over the next five years is enough to do the job. "It's enough to get started."
