Op UNIFIER - CAF and the Ukraine Crisis

[The Bread Guy]

Via the UKR MoD info-machine, coverage of 2 Can Div's boss visit (article in Ukrainian, translation below via Google Translate) ...

Commander of the 2nd Division of the Armed Forces of Canada, General Jenny Karignan visited the contingent of Operation UNIFIER and the WSP Training Center
Yesterday at 16:50 | ID: 47503 | Views: 598

In Lviv, during the study visit, Commander of the 2nd Division of the Armed Forces of Canada, General Jenny Karigan, acquainted with the infrastructure, capabilities of the International Center for Peacemaking and Safety of the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petra Sagaidachnyk, and inspected the objects of the educational and material base.

In addition, General Jenny Karignan met with Canadian Armed Forces who, for a long time, provided methodical and practical assistance in training Ukrainian servicemen on NATO standards.

During a meeting with the leadership, teaching staff, officers and students of the 25th WSP Training Center, General Jenny Karignan, commander of the UNIFIER training mission, Lt. Col. Pierre Lerou discussed with their Ukrainian counterparts a series of topics on the role of women in the security forces of both countries.

In particular, the discussion focused on the issues "Women in the struggle for peace", "Gender equality in life, politics and family", "Woman and service in army units", "Women's service in the Training Center of the Military Service of Law and Order".

The commander of the 2nd Division of the Armed Forces of Canada, General Jenny Karigan, noted the conditions under which the training of the students and the high level of training of the instructors of the Training Center of the WWW are conducted.

By the way, Brigadier General Jenny Carignan is the first woman with a higher officer rank who has gone through a thorny career of professional growth in combat units. In particular, as a deputy and subsequently a commanding officer of the engineering unit, he carried out the task of demining the territories in Bosnia, together with his subordinates successfully completed his mission in Afghanistan. She is the winner of the international achievement award, and in 2011 she is recognized as one of the 100 most influential women in Canada.

Attached pix via UKR MoD.

 

[McG]

I was just reading about the war in Donbass and couldn't help but be flabbergasted by the how soundly it seemed like the Ukrainian military got it's ass handed to it by a the rebels (acknowledging that the rebels were heavily supported by Russia).

The Ukrainian Army was dominating until it got touched by batteries of BM-21.  Ukraine was beat by the Russian war machine, not by rebels or not-Russian soldiers (as many of the rebels were).

 

[The Bread Guy]

Another Canadian visitor ...

The Canadian Joint Operations Command Commander visited the International Peacemaking and Security Center

Yesterday at 13:10 | ID: 47558 | Views: 11

On Thursday, February 21, the Canadian Forces delegation headed by The Canadian Joint Operations Command Commander Lieutenant-General Michael Rouleau visited International Peacemaking and Security Center (IPSC) for of the National Ground Forces Academy.

The Canadian Forces guests met and discussed the further cooperation with the Academy Commander Lieutenant-General Pavlo Tkachuk and the leadership of the IPSC. The military delegation also visited the IPSC training facilities and the trainees’ classes.

Lieutenant-General Michael Rouleau highly commended the achievements of the National Academy and the IPSC staff in the development of training infrastructure and combat units preparation.

Photo credit for attached pix:  UKR MoD

 

[The Bread Guy]

This from The Canadian Press ...

Ukraine asks Canada to send message to Russia by extending military mission
The Canadian Press
February 25, 2019

kraine is asking Canada to send a "strong signal" to Russia by extending and expanding the Canadian military's training mission there.

In an interview with The Canadian Press on Monday, Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko expressed confidence that Canada would renew the military mission, whose mandate is up at the end of March.

But the sooner an extension and expansion to Operation Unifier, as the mission is known, is announced, the better, he said.

"One of the ideas behind this Operation Unifier from the very beginning was to send a very strong signal to Russia to deter them and to make sure that they understand that Ukraine has very strong support at the international level," Shevchenko said.

"So the earlier we send this signal and the louder we say this, the stronger the signal should be. That is why we have always encouraged our Canadian partners to go ahead with the announcement of the renewal as quickly as possible."

(...)

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in November 2017 that Canada was leading a diplomatic push for a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine. Spokesman Adam Austen said Freeland and others have since raised it with a variety of countries.

Conservative defence critic James Bezan last week said the Tories are also in favour of a UN mission ...

More @ link

 

[blacktriangle]

Another Canadian visitor ...Photo credit for attached pix:  UKR MoD

Comd CJOC - if you are are reading this, your fans love the beard!

:nod:

 

[The Bread Guy]

Three more years -- this from the DND info-machine ...

Canada extends its military training mission in Ukraine
From: National Defence
News release
March 18, 2019 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Canada is a leader in the international community’s support for the people of Ukraine.

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Government of Canada is extending Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces military training mission in Ukraine, until the end of March 2022. While Ukraine’s defence and security forces continue to make considerable progress, ongoing insecurity in the region underscores the importance and relevance of Canada’s military mission.

Through Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces will continue to provide military training and capacity building assistance to Ukraine’s defence and security forces. The training provided by the Canadian Armed Forces directly helps Ukraine’s defence and security forces to uphold domestic security and territorial integrity, contributing to regional and international stability.

Operation UNIFIER supports Ukraine’s broader reform agenda and contributes to current Canadian efforts that invest in democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Ukraine.

Quotes

    “Today’s announcement reaffirms Canada's steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and our commitment to global security. Canada’s commitment to Ukraine is unequivocal and unwavering. With the renewal of Operation UNIFIER, the women and men of our Canadian Armed Forces are playing a key role in helping build, develop and modernize the capabilities of Ukraine’s defence and security forces.”

    The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence

    “The people of Ukraine know they can count on Canada. Operation UNIFIER is an essential part of our multifaceted support to Ukraine. We are steadfast in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as it works toward a stable, democratic and prosperous future. That is why Canada is also proud to host the third annual Ukraine Reform Conference in July this year.”

    The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

    Canada continues to provide a broad range of assistance (development, financial, humanitarian, non-lethal military) to Ukraine, totaling more than $750 million since January 2014.

    The Canadian Armed Forces supports the professional development of Ukraine’s defence and security forces through a range of training activities including combined arms training, military engineering, logistics, military policing, and medical training.

    Under Operation UNIFIER, Canada deploys approximately 200 Canadian Armed Forces personnel to Ukraine.

    Since the start of the training in September 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces has trained more than 10,800 Ukrainian service members to be self-sufficient in their training delivery and in the conduct of military operations.

    On March 15, 2019, Canada announced, in coordination with the European Union and the United States, new sanctions in response to Russia’s aggressive actions in the Black Sea and Kerch Strait, Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and to the destabilization of eastern Ukraine.

    From July 2 to 4, 2019, Canada will host the third Ukraine Reform Conference in Toronto. The conference will bring together, among others, foreign ministers from the European Union, the G7 and NATO countries to support Ukraine and its people, in meeting their ambitious democratic and economic reform programme and Euro-Atlantic goals ...

Bit more @ link

 

[The Bread Guy]

Three more years -- this from the DND info-machine ...Bit more @ link

... and the UKR MoD version:

Ministers of Defense of Ukraine and Canada discussed further cooperation during the telephone conversation
2019-03-18 19:15:00 | ID: 48298

A telephone conversation between the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak and the Minister of National Defense of Canada Harjit Singh Sajjan took place.

During the conversation, defense ministers of the partner countries discussed the security situation in the world and in Ukraine as well as agreed plans for further cooperation of defense agencies.

"Despite the challenges connected with Russian aggression, we do not stop reforming the agency and will not change the country's course towards EU and NATO. I have no doubt that our reforms will be successful, " - Stepan Poltorak said during a conversation and invited Mr. Sajjan to visit Ukraine officially.

Minister of National Defense of Canada emphasized that the Government of Canada decided to extend the term of UNIFIER mission in Ukraine for a period of three years. Such a decision is a powerful signal of Canada’s support to Ukraine.

- We will continue to send powerful messages to the world community to support your country on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration and insist on the release of Ukrainian servicemen who were illegally captured by the Russian Federation in November last year, " - Mr. Sajjan said.

During the dialogue, Minister of National Defense of Canada Harjit Singh Sajjan invited Stepan Poltorak to take part in an international Ukraine reforms conference that will take place in Toronto this July.

Minister of Defense of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak expressed words of gratitude to the Parliament, the Government and the people of Canada for the consistent principled support of Ukraine on all international sites as well as for the provision of another package of logistical assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Canada sends Ukraine some military police cars - DND-info-machine version ...

On Sunday March 17th, 2019, the parade square of the 25th Military Law and Order Service (MLOS) Training Centre saw a new formation – 56 police vehicles formed around the perimeter, each with lights flashing and newly emblazoned crests of the MLOS. This unique event was the culmination of a project that began in 2017 between Canadian and Ukrainian Military Police, as they worked to rebuild the 25th MLOS Training Centre, and indeed the military police capability within the country.

The vehicles are one part of a $1.2M donation project. This includes computers and training equipment that was initiated under the umbrella of Operation UNIFIER. Operation UNIFIER is the recently renewed Canadian Armed Forces mission to support the Security Forces of Ukraine. Most precisely, this donation will enhance the training capability at the training centre in Lviv and at the MLOS’ regional training detachments across Ukraine.

“This equipment will improve the effectiveness of training and increase operational capabilities by keeping pace with the needs of a growing organization, while contributing to the ongoing efforts to strengthen and reform the MLOS,”.said Captain Bernard Caron, Officer Commanding the Military Police Training Group. As the Deputy Commander of the 25th MLOS Training Centre, Captain Caron will be able to see the impact of this donation first-hand ...

... and a UKR media version a week or so earlier, right after the event.

Canada gave 56 units of vehicles for the needs of the units of the military police of the Armed forces of Ukraine.

More than 50 units of vehicles, the representatives of the training of the mission operations UNIFIER from the canadian Armed forces transferred for needs of units of the military police of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This was reported by press service of the defense Ministry.

“We bought a 56 Ford cars of various modifications, which made it possible to perform a wide range of tasks – from transporting personnel, patrolling, off-road terrain. The part of the transferred equipment will remain in Lviv and will be used in the interests of the training center GSP,” said the officer of the military police of the canadian armed forces Bern Karon.

Stated that from now on the Ukrainian military, law enforcement officers will be more modern vehicles, because all vehicles for the 2018 model year.

At the same time, the head of the training center 25 VSP Mat Oleg Kernitsky noted that the assistance from Canada will greatly enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian divisions ...

More @ links

Photo credit for attached pix: Captain Bernie Caron

 

[The Bread Guy]

Not _strictly_ Op UNIFIER, but still in the area -- HMCS Toronto dropping by Odessa (via UKR media)...

NATO ships will stay in the Black Sea during the elections of the President of Ukraine and the vote counting.

"During the elections of the President of Ukraine and the vote counting, the ships of the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) and some others will stay in the Black Sea. Now we have information about the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Toronto (FFH 333) and the Spanish Navy frigate Santa Maria (F-81)," Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Maidan of Foreign Affairs Andrii Klymenko wrote on Facebook with reference to the information of the monitoring group of the Institute for Black Sea Strategic Studies, the Maidan of Foreign Affairs and the BlackSeaNews.net editorial staff ...

More @ link

More details, in Ukrainian, at the Canadian Embassy's FB event page here.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

From the CAF Operations FB Page:

For three weeks, we’re joining our NATO allies in the Black Sea. Starting today, HMCS Toronto will be conducting exercises and patrols with Standing NATO Maritime Group Two.

* She's sailing with a CH-148 AIRDET.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Via UKR's MoD info-machine (original in Ukrainian - translation below via Google Translate):

Canadian military instructors, seamstresses of the 7th rotation completed their mission at the Demining Center
1 hour ago | ID: 48618

Today, March 29, in Kamyanets-Podilsky, the military personnel of the Mine Center of the Main Directorate of Operational Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine farewell to the personnel of the Joint Task Force of the Armed Forces of Canada for this rotation.

The 7th rotation of Canadian military personnel was at the Demining Center from September 2018, helping Ukrainian colleagues develop and implement new opportunities for improving the training of counter-explosive devices experts (AMPs) in accordance with NATO standards.

Oleg Hawryliuk, Deputy Chief of the Center for Demining, thanked the commander of the Joint Task Force Major Samantha Laplant and his subordinates for cooperation, understanding, competence and professionalism, Carrying out Canadian colleagues.

- Our joint, semi-annual cooperation will forever remain a pleasant memories in the hearts of every soldier of the Center for Mine clearance, because you have become real friends for the whole period of your stay in Kamyanets-Podilsky, "added the officer.

In turn, Major Samantha Laplant thanked the staff of the Mine Center for a warm and welcoming reception and noted that the visit to Ukraine left her unforgettable positive impressions about both the state as a whole and Ukrainians in particular.

At the end of the meeting, servicemen exchanged memorable souvenirs and gifts and photographed in memory.

It should be noted that the personnel of the new rotation of Canadian servicemen will begin operations at the Mine Center in the first decade of April.

Photos courtesy of UKR MoD

 

[The Bread Guy]

Not _strictly_ Op UNIFIER, but still in the area -- HMCS Toronto dropping by Odessa (via UKR media)...More @ link

More details, in Ukrainian, at the Canadian Embassy's FB event page here.

From the CAF Operations FB Page:

For three weeks, we’re joining our NATO allies in the Black Sea. Starting today, HMCS Toronto will be conducting exercises and patrols with Standing NATO Maritime Group Two.

* She's sailing with a CH-148 AIRDET.

And, a bit of company ...

• "Russian Navy escorts NATO ships in Black Sea on way to Ukraine" (UKR media)
• "Russian Navy Escorts NATO Ships in Black Sea on Way to Ukraine" (RUS independent media)
• "NATO exercises in Black Sea unrelated to Ukrainian election, (Standing NATO Maritime Group Two) official says" (RUS state media)

 

[garb811]

Canada sends Ukraine some military police cars - DND-info-machine version ...... and a UKR media version a week or so earlier, right after the event.More @ links

Photo credit for attached pix: Captain Bernie Caron

Pretty cool that we've managed to give the Ukrainian MP a newer white fleet than what Canadian MP are blessed with...

 

[Journeyman]

Pretty cool that we've managed to give the Ukrainian MP a newer white fleet than what Canadian MP are blessed with...

How many Canadian-Ukrainian votes are up for grabs versus Canadian MP votes?

/cynicism    Nahh, that wasn't actually cynical.   

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Am I the only one who noticed that the DND release talks about the cars donated to the training centre, and pictures the small Ford fusion vehicles with trainees in their green vests beside them, while the UKR release talks about the four-wheel drive and transit vans vehicles for special police functions and shows the trained UKR MP's?

;D

 

[Rifleman62]

They are probably "Green" electric vehicles with no place to plug them in.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Am I the only one who noticed that the DND release talks about the cars donated to the training centre, and pictures the small Ford fusion vehicles with trainees in their green vests beside them, while the UKR release talks about the four-wheel drive and transit vans vehicles for special police functions and shows the trained UKR MP's?

;D

Since I don't see 50+ vehicles in the pix they've shared, it's possible some of the other vehicles may fit the UKR description.

Also, what you're reading here from UKR's info-machine is a Google translation from the Ukrainian (I haven't seen an official UKR MoD English translation yet).  It's better than nothing, but based on my experience with translating other languages, the granular details may not match the Ukrainian nuances. 

 

[The Bread Guy]

"Everyone with blue eyes who speaks Ukrainian, raise your hands ...."  ;D

A long deployment away from home is nothing unusual for Canadian sailors. There are certain constants they can look forward to, like the daily routines of life at sea, camaraderie with shipmates, and hot soup every morning.

For a group of Royal Canadian Navy members currently deployed on Operation UNIFIER in Ukraine, however, the experience has been a little different.

The mission, which has been ongoing since 2015, focuses in large part on training and support to the Security Forces of Ukraine. This is currently being supported by members of the Canadian Army’s 1e Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment.

Entering the Army environment can be an adjustment for those with Navy backgrounds.

The Trident, the Maritime Forces Atlantic newspaper based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, recently spoke with some of the sailors who have been in Ukraine since mid-September, 2018 as part of Op UNIFIER ROTO 6. For operational security reasons, they will be referred to only by their rank and trade.

“One of the big differences is just that nobody knows what your rank is called,” said a Lieutenant (Navy) working in the Intelligence Section. “You’re just a little different from everybody else, and people might look at you a little strangely until a couple of months pass, people get to know you, and you become part of the team.” ...

More from the CAN Army info-machine here.

 

[The Bread Guy]

From the CAF Operations FB Page:

For three weeks, we’re joining our NATO allies in the Black Sea. Starting today, HMCS Toronto will be conducting exercises and patrols with Standing NATO Maritime Group Two.

* She's sailing with a CH-148 AIRDET.

Here's some photos of HMCS Toronto in Odessa, via the UKR MoD's info-machine (source).

 

[Cloud Cover]

TOR was laid down 30 yrs ago this month. It’s good to see her still getting about.