ArmyRick
Army.ca Veteran
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I am not a jumper but spent a year add as a PRes add on with then Para Coy 3RCR, I got hang out and do some cool sh*t (like follow on forces for patrol pathfinder course, deliberate attacks, raids, ambushes, Helo-casting, etc just no jumping as I was not qualified)For a long time PRes units had Jump Coy’s
The issue isn’t that reservists can’t, it’s an issue if it’s not being supported beyond that.
Let’s face it any idiot can exit a plane and let gravity take over, it’s not rocket science. Both of us are proof of that
Most of the those companies where reliable CT sources when they got sick of their leadership. The only way those entities are of value is with a direct Ops task to a Para entity.
IMHO (having done it) Airborne deploying into the arctic is a quick and reliable method of showing the flag and posturing. There are also a lot of reasons to hang onto Para capabilities outside of strictly SOF roles.
No self respecting SOF entity wants to do a static line low level airfield seizure - or any sort of mass jump.
Now I don’t think there is any point to a conventional Para Coy - ideally it’s a Bde an a Bn Group at min
My observation is this. If we are serious about defending ALL of Canada (LOTS of real estate), then I feel a much larger and serious airborne force is actually more important than the hugely expensive mech/medium or heavy forces. Train them to be truly deployable by air (plane and helo), land (light vehicles or black cadillac) and sea (assault boats and cheap landing craft, after seeing what Harry De Wolfe class ships have, maybe a limited amphibious capability?)
Now, lets look at the cost of a "Commando" type brigade (Commando as in Royal Marines/Para Regt not SOF) which is mostly light versus the need for LAVs, Tanks, Self Propelled arty, etc.
Now add in lightweight technology such as Javelin Missiles, NLAW, Switchblade 300 and 600, Carl G 84mm GMM rounds and I think you have a serious HOME DEFENCE capability.