Military mum on Trenton commander's move

[old medic]

Military mum on Trenton commander's move
By JEROME LESSARD, QMI Agency
05 April 2011
http://www.calgarysun.com/news/canada/2011/04/05/17884441.html

BELLEVILLE, Ont. – Col. Dave Cochrane is leaving his post as commander of Canada's largest air base, but defence ministry officials have refused to comment on his move until after the federal election.

Cochrane is the base commander appointed in the days following the conviction of Russell Williams on two counts of murder, sex assaults and a litany of fetish break-ins.

His primary role in early days of his command was to lift the spirits of base personnel whose morale was in the dumps following Williams' crimes.

A request by QMI Agency to interview Cochrane regarding his departure to take on “professional development and advanced training” in Australia was denied by the Department of National Defence (DND).

Suggesting a phone interview with the air base's commanding officer “could affect the outcome” of the federal election, a public affairs officer at DND's media liaison office in Ottawa said Tuesday the Canadian Forces' communication department will not allow an interview with the colonel.

QMI Agency had wanted to ask Cochhrane fairly innocuous questions, such as those about his plans for the future, his time as base commander in Trenton, Ont., as well as the transition process with Col. Sean Friday, who will be appointed as new commander of the air base some time this summer.

“To follow up on your request on getting an interview with Col. Cochrane, I regret to say that it will not be possible until after election day,” said a DND spokesperson, who declined to give his name. “DND cannot grant interviews with its staff members for the duration of the six-week campaign. During an election period it is of utmost importance that National Defence employees and Canadian Forces members do not act in any way that could influence – or be perceived as influencing – the outcome of the electoral process.”

The message further went on said restraints on interviews granted to media during a federal election are based on the subject and that the inquiry will be saved on file “and will be followed up during the days following the election.”

 

[krustyrl]

Hmmm.. waiting to see any developments on this one..... interesting indeed. 

 

[aesop081]

Hmmm.. waiting to see any developments on this one..... interesting indeed.

Media looking for a story where there is none. People get posted. There are tight restrictions speaking with the media during an election.

 

[Edward Campbell]

Media looking for a story where there is none. People get posted. There are tight restrictions speaking with the media during an election.

I agree with CA; it is quite possible that he's going here, to the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies at the Australian Defence College. That would qualify as “professional development and advanced training”, which is what NDHQ said.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Media looking for a story where there is none. People get posted. There are tight restrictions speaking with the media during an election.

The only "news" element being a link back to Russell Williams - without it, the story would be of general news interest mainly to the readers of the "backyard" paper (closest to the base), the Trentonian).

From the article:

.... QMI Agency had wanted to ask Cochhrane fairly innocuous questions, such as those about his plans for the future, his time as base commander in Trenton, Ont., as well as the transition process with Col. Sean Friday, who will be appointed as new commander of the air base some time this summer ....

And no questions about the "clean-up" following Williams? 

 

[Good2Golf]

Wow, will the press never tire about trying to make something of nothing more out of a regular transition?  It makes sense that at his point in his career, Col Cochrane is heading off to the senior staff college program for a year, in this case to that of another ABCA nation.

Best wishes to both Col Cochrane and Col Friday, and best wishes to all the other Air Force Colonels either completing or assuming formation command this summer.

Regards
G2G