CF Forming "Yellowknife Company" of Loyal Edmonton Regiment

[The Bread Guy]

It ain't Whitehorse, but it's certainly north enough.  Mods - feel free to merge elsewhere if you see fit.

This from CBC.ca:

The Canadian military has announced the creation of a new reserve infantry company in Yellowknife, calling it the first permanent army reserve presence north of 60.

The Yellowknife Company will be part of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. Officials said this week they hope to recruit 30 reservists from the N.W.T. capital over the next five years, and eventually recruit as many as 120.

The unit is part of the federal government's initiative "to increase the defence presence in the North, as part of the government's strategy for Arctic defence," said Lt.-Col. Lyle Herod, who hosted an open house in the city on Tuesday night.

Herod said the Yellowknife Company is meant to complement the existing military structure in Canada's North, which includes Canadian Rangers and Cadets....

More on link - according to this page, Yellowknife Company appears to be the second Reserve presence after 440 Transport Squadron (Air Reserve).  Anyone know what kind of turnout 440 has?

 

[dapaterson]

Given that the "Air Reserve" is a polite work of fiction, it's hard to judge.  Last figures I saw suggested fewer than 40% of Air Reservists are not on full-time service - and many of those are working 3 days a week for the Air Reserve.

(Question:  If a Reserve is committed, is it still a reserve?)

 

[Dennis Ruhl]

First permanent Army Reserve unit north of 60?  I think not.  Back in the 1950s The 19th Alberta Dragoons had a squadron in Whitehorse tasked with security on the Alaska Highway.  This unit morphed into The Yukon Regiment which was short-lived but considered permanent when established.

 

[The Bread Guy]

(Question:  If a Reserve is committed, is it still a reserve?)

Army.ca Koan of the Day? ©

 

[Dennis Ruhl]

Yellowknife Company appears to be the second Reserve presence after 440 Transport Squadron (Air Reserve).  Anyone know what kind of turnout 440 has?

Yes I know I'm whining but does northern Alberta with 1 1/2 million people, give or take, even have an Air Reserve Squadron?  I think the politicians need another letter.

 

[Scott]

So send your letter and be done with the whining.

Thanks.

 

[Dennis Ruhl]

Yes I know I'm whining but does northern Alberta with 1 1/2 million people, give or take, even have an Air Reserve Squadron?  I think the politicians need another letter.

Answer - While 418 (City of Edmonton) Sqn was killed some years ago apparently 408 Tactical Helicopter Sqn in Edmonton and 4 Wing in Cold Lake has some form of reserve component.  I can't write one yet, I told MacKay I'd leave him alone until the end of June.

 

[tabernac]

Yes I know I'm whining but does northern Alberta with 1 1/2 million people, give or take, even have an Air Reserve Squadron?  I think the politicians need another letter.

What are you trying to say? Stop beating around the bush.

IIRC 4 Wing has an air reserve flight in Edmonton.

 

[X-mo-1979]

It ain't Whitehorse, but it's certainly north enough.  Mods - feel free to merge elsewhere if you see fit.

This from CBC.ca:
More on link - according to this page, Yellowknife Company appears to be the second Reserve presence after 440 Transport Squadron (Air Reserve).  Anyone know what kind of turnout 440 has?

Awesome another reserve unit!Our sovereignty is saved yet again! Why all of a sudden are we opening reserve units around the country?
If that's the way we are going to solve Canadian problems lets put the "mohawk quick reaction" reserve unit in Cornwall, "Anti smuggling" unit in Fortune Newfoundland as well.We don't need people in them,just nice job titles for Lcol's.
Hell; if it's on paper it's as good as real!
Please explain what 30 odd reservist are going to do that the rangers can't?
Other than pose yearly on the maple Leaf as our "defenders of the North".

Why does this make me angry?I need help.

 

[Haggis]

Awesome another reserve unit!Our sovereignty is saved yet again! Why all of a sudden are we opening reserve units around the country?
If that's the way we are going to solve Canadian problems lets put the "mohawk quick reaction" reserve unit in Cornwall,

Ahem.... There's been a Infantry unit in Cornwall area since 1783.  And, yes, they were deployed to support other CF units and police at Akwesasne in 1990.  Therefore, your idea has already been put into play.

 

[X-mo-1979]

Ahem.... There's been a Infantry unit in Cornwall area since 1783.  And, yes, they were deployed to support other CF units and police at Akwesasne in 1990.  Therefore, your idea has already been put into play.

Yeah I'm very well aware of Cornwall...and the smell. :nod:
it was a tongue in cheek comment about special units.

This seems like a feeble attempt to convince Canadians we are/can do anything IRT Northern sovereignty.

 

[Haggis]

Yeah I'm very well aware of Cornwall...and the smell. :nod:

The smell is gone.  The Mohawk and "The Glens" Regiment both remain.

it was a tongue in cheek comment about special units.

I see nothing "special" in the creation of this company, other than it's location.

This seems like a feeble attempt to convince Canadians we are/can do anything IRT Northern sovereignty.

Why is it feeble?  What would you suggest the CF do that is relevant, timely and cost effective?

 

[Dennis Ruhl]

.We don't need people in them,just nice job titles for Lcol's.
Hell; if it's on paper it's as good as real!

Why does this make me angry?I need help.

I don't know that reserve units are any more top heavy than the regular force.  I could only find figures from a defence committee hearing in 2004 which said that Canada had 313 colonels (assume LCol and Col) and 71 generals.  With the then forces strength of about 50,000 that would be 1 Col or Gen per 130 members which is in the ballpark of the reserves.  I think I've read elsewhere numbers like 600 or 900 Cols but I couldn't find it.  And yes I know that regular force infantry battalions have 1 Col per approx 850.

Defence committee garble:

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=1453263&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=38&Ses=1

 

[X-mo-1979]

The smell is gone.  The Mohawk and "The Glens" Regiment both remain.

I see nothing "special" in the creation of this company, other than it's location.

Why is it feeble?  What would you suggest the CF do that is relevant, timely and cost effective?

Glad to hear about the smell!As long as tequila Joes is still there!

I believe it's a feeble attempt to have a few photo op's of people "defending" the north.No doubt we shall see it in the year to come in our media.As for what I would suggest,let's admit that with our current mission in Afganistan,training recruits,we can't commit to Arctic sovereignty.

We can make all the units we want to defend the north on paper,but when push comes to shove 30 reservist will not suffice.Lets get realistic and admit if the north is invaded we will have to deploy from "down south" to deal with it.This is nothing more than a news blurb to make Canadians feel cosy.Being a big election platform,along with the environment.I'm surprised we don't start a reserve unit that plants trees to "combat" global warming.

If the plan is to put map symbols on an invading countries map let's build empty missile silo's to distract them as well.

Our reservist near Regular force bases across Canada rarely receive the equipment they need.Instead of opening any more reserve units which will be undermanned and over lead,lets spend the money developing the reserve units we have.Instead of spending money on shoulder flashes,office computers,weapons for a new unit lets put it into existing units.Let's face it if the reserve had to deploy with us to augment they wouldn't even have enough vehicles to transport themselves.

Dennis having a command structure based around 30 guys is a waste of money in my opinion.You of course have a different outlook on reestablishing many different units.I don't agree.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Awesome another reserve unit!Our sovereignty is saved yet again! Why all of a sudden are we opening reserve units around the country?
If that's the way we are going to solve Canadian problems lets put the "mohawk quick reaction" reserve unit in Cornwall, "Anti smuggling" unit in Fortune Newfoundland as well.We don't need people in them,just nice job titles for Lcol's.
Hell; if it's on paper it's as good as real!
Please explain what 30 odd reservist are going to do that the rangers can't?
Other than pose yearly on the maple Leaf as our "defenders of the North".

Why does this make me angry?I need help.

It may not be your intent, but you're coming close to Reserve bashing. I suggest you proofread your rants before you hit send.

Milnet.ca Staff

 

[X-mo-1979]

It may not be your intent, but you're coming close to Reserve bashing. I suggest you proofread your rants before you hit send.

Milnet.ca Staff

Not my intent at all,but seen and understood.

 

[dapaterson]

I don't know that reserve units are any more top heavy than the regular force.  I could only find figures from a defence committee hearing in 2004 which said that Canada had 313 colonels (assume LCol and Col) and 71 generals.  With the then forces strength of about 50,000 that would be 1 Col or Gen per 130 members which is in the ballpark of the reserves.  I think I've read elsewhere numbers like 600 or 900 Cols but I couldn't find it.  And yes I know that regular force infantry battalions have 1 Col per approx 850.

Reg Force only.  Full colonels only.

Reg F strength has never been down to 50K; perhaps around 58K at that time.

Investigate first, talk second.

 

[Dennis Ruhl]

Reg Force only.  Full colonels only.

Reg F strength has never been down to 50K; perhaps around 58K at that time.

Investigate first, talk second.

Some of this information is hard to come by if you don't know specific sources.  The 50,000 number was simply a a round number, the exact accuracy of which neither adds nor detracts from my argument.

Adding LCols into the calculation wouldn't exactly hurt my case that the reserves aren't unusually top heavy compared to the rest of the forces. 

I assume the new Yellowknife company will have a captain or major as OC.  Many reserve units are set up on a squadron/company/battery basis without a LCol.

 

[Haggis]

I assume the new Yellowknife company will have a captain or major as OC.

The OC is a Captain.

 

[Scott]

Dennis,

You're getting dangerously close to going into the warning system here. How many times must you be told to not post unqualified information? You've just been caught at it again. LEARN THIS TIME! If the information is hard to come by the don't post until you have it.

Scott
Army.ca Staff