Standing Contingency Task Force: A Canadian Marine Unit?

[Roadracer]

Good day.

The Integrated Tactics Experimental Exercise (ITEE) of the SCF is due to take place very soon. The USN has loaned an amphibious ship (and crew) to Maritime Command. This ship, loaded with a company of R22eR, vehicles, a truely 'joint' command element (navy, army, airforce) will be escorted by the Canadian Fleet Atlantic to a Marine base where an amphibious landing will take place. 

On the way, Marine mentors will teach the Vandoos about ships, and the command element about amphibious operations, etc. So, shortly Canada will have some resident expertise in all three services about amphibious operations. Then I guess, serious discussions can begin.

Major hurdles have been crossed to get this far, but in typical CF fashion, it's all coming together at the last minute 

 

[Roadracer]

The landing force will be made up by the R22eR. The entire force sails shortly, trials in Halifax harbour then off to points south. On the way US Marines will mentor the army guysin shipboard life (Wadder Training) and amphibious operations.

The entire plan is pretty ambitious, but on completion, all three services will have a core of people who should be able to talk amphibious operations with some background. Then the real discussions can begin!

 

[PPCLI Guy]

And should I be CDS some day, this experiment will be known as the genesis of the First Canadian Marine Expeditionary Force...formerly known as the Canadian Forces.

Fortunately for most, I will never be CDS.

 

[plattypuss]

One other small fly in the ointment is that the numbers of bodies we have available to fill the SCF posns.  If we are having difficulty manning the existing LAV and light Bns for rotation overseas then the SCF concept may have to slow down a bit - its a great idea but we need bodies to fill the posns and not just the new recruits coming in the door but also people to fill out the leadership posns. I know the exercise is still good to go but I will be curious when the Coy from the RCR actually officially moves over to fill the SCF...

 

[TangoTwoBravo]

Can these things portage?  There are some spots on the Arghandab that they might not be able to navigate.

 

[PPCLI Guy]

Can these things portage?  There are some spots on the Arghandab that they might not be able to navigate.

Hmmm - very few landlocked countries in the world - and we should train, org and equip to fight a war, not necessarily this war....

 

[Kirkhill]

Can these things portage?  There are some spots on the Arghandab that they might not be able to navigate.

Probably not but they might be able to get your heavy gear a little bit closer so that the Air Forces C-17s and C-130s can get it on the ground faster.  Rather than have it delivered over a period of weeks they might get your last set of wheels on the ground within days of the first set landing.

 

[AIC_2K5]

"Canada's Amphibious Ambitions"
http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=40c3f325-cf58-44e3-9049-18ffc7d1e9a3

Very detailed; I'm beginning to like canada.com more and more...

 

[Spooks]

Can anyone PM me with details on this topic being I cannot access DIN info from home, and well, I am currecntly at home due to post-injury repairs?

Is it only being planned for the Atlantic because I heard it may start there, but will go to the Pacific as well. I am interested on this info and it should be good PD.

 

[El Gerco]

Have you guys heard about it? Cause you'll be very much involved in it.
Learn to love being at sea for long periods of time.

This is the website for you who have access to the DIN

http://navy.dwan.dnd.ca/SCTF/

If the Canadian Army goes anywhere by Sea it will be on US ships , much like MARCOT 98, when the Canadian NAVY had no way to transport us and we had to travel on the USS Shreavport. 

 

[FSTO]

If the Canadian Army goes anywhere by Sea it will be on US ships , much like MARCOT 98, when the Canadian NAVY had no way to transport us and we had to travel on the USS Shreavport. 

That is why we are going through this process. To get the capability to be able to do it ourselves.

 

[Journeyman]

I was just speaking with an Arty major who was involved. His comment was:

"It was embarrasssing watching them tip-toeing through the surf trying to keep from getting wet. In hindsight though, it's just as well - - with the amount of hair gel in that Company, anyone falling down would have caused an environmental catastrophe"
;D

 

[FSTO]

I was just speaking with an Arty major who was involved. His comment was:

"It was embarrasssing watching them tip-toeing through the surf trying to keep from getting wet. In hindsight though, it's just as well - - with the amount of hair gel in that Company, anyone falling down would have caused an environmental catastrophe"
;D

Ha! Ha!
There was also a huge language barrier between the USN LCVP coxswains and the Van Doo LAV drivers.
But seriously, the ITE was geared toward learning, and you don't learn if you don't try.

For those of you on the DIN, here is the link to the Leasons Learned File; http://navy.dwan.dnd.ca/SCF/pages/ITEE06.asp

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

If the Canadian Army goes anywhere by Sea it will be on US ships , much like MARCOT 98, when the Canadian NAVY had no way to transport us and we had to travel on the USS Shreavport. 

Someone has not been keeping up with whats been going on.

 

[El Gerco]

Someone has not been keeping up with whats been going on.

Trust me my friend I have been keeping up with the times, more then I care too @ times. It was sarcasm on my part. By the time this gets of the ground there will be an new Prime Minister "steering the ship" and this will probably get scraped.  I know they recently did some work on the proof of concept.  In Halifax, they've stood up the Maritime Amphibious Unit, which is mostly sailors at this point.  No doubt, they could use a good Army Sgt Major to sort them out! Know any.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Not anymore....besides a good Cox'n has to be around so you army boys don't get your feet too wet.

 

[El Gerco]

Not anymore....besides a good Cox'n has to be around so you army boys don't get your feet too wet.

Roger that, or drop our hair gel. :crybaby:

All kidding and sarcasm aside I believe in the concept, and would love to be part of it.  One can only dream .
Here is a question for all you "sailors" (not purple sailors either) in the Army elements, do you require to have Combat Engineers, or can Bosens carry out the task of destroying UXO's , Mines etc on beaches, if I'm not mistaken they already do this as part of the boarding parties,  or am I wrong on that account.

 

[medaid]

WOW....what are the chances that there'll be new uniforms to go along with this new amphibious unit? Canadian Marines? 'Royal' Canadian Marines? damn...I cant wait! any need for HCAs?

 

[George Wallace]

WOW....what are the chances that there'll be new uniforms to go along with this new amphibious unit? Canadian Marines? 'Royal' Canadian Marines? damn...I cant wait! any need for HCAs?

Following you around is like watching........a basket case trying to find a corner in a round room.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

I believe beach obstacles are in the realm of the clearance divers. Our bosuns are taught demolitions on their 5s.