Sat nav= map compas, comms = short range VHF with manual repeaters. Inf load heavy enough, who needs all the tech crap?
A proper 21st Century mechanized army?
I’m not sure if you were being sarcastic there, but @rmc_wannabe made some good points in his post.
The side with the most up to date information will likely make the better moves. Things like cloud based BLUFOR trackers, GPS radios that automatically send your grid when you send a report speed up things when time matters. Maps are great but when calling in a 9 liner, cutting that extra couple minutes while you find your grid could be the difference of life and death.
Wow, lets break this down:
I see you’ve never had the joy of getting a vehicle fleet to turn over in -40
I have ... and many times ... and usually at 0 dark 30.
I was on my CWO course many years ago in Edmonton. We discussed new tanks, LAVS, LAV and tank barns etc.I have ... and many times ... and usually at 0 dark 30.
I take @Kirkhill's point. Back with 3rd Herd, in Shilo (which I know you know well) our infrastructure was the gun shed that now houses the RCA Museum. There was barely room for the two batteries' worth of M109s in there. Everything else, including the other tracks and all of our wheeled vehicles were in the outdoor fenced compound behind it - summer, winter, rain or shine (or blizzard).
Yup, there were days it wasn't fun - and I still get flashbacks every time that I smell diesel. But the equipment was fine - it was designed to be outdoors.
I know we are now getting gear that's a bit more delicate but even so, most of what the CAF has, especially the army and navy, is designed to live in the great wild. Since my day there has been a large move to build infrastructure (except maybe adequate PMQs and quarters) and I have the general sense that there is probably enough for the size of force we have.
I wouldn't argue with you on the basic principle, but I always take a look at this from a mobilization point of view. What do I need to mobilize units capable of going into high intensity conflict.
Did they re-instate this? A few years back they had removed the peace/war time establishment (although some still operated as if they still had it).
To the best of my knowledge there are no "war-time" establishments. However, PY numbers trimming, reshuffling etc is an ongoing sport within DND/CAF. Whenever it happens and capabilities are reviewed and revised, "fat" keeps being trimmed. People realize, however, that some of that "fat" is critical in war-time and establishments for operational deployments frequently change from that of standing unit establishments. It's a particulalry critical issue when you look at some of the combat support and combat service support functions which are usually established at a level below what is required for operations.
It’s pretty clear when one looks at the authorized strength of units, versus what a fully equipped unit would have that there is indeed a Peacetime strength acknowledged or not, versus what would be needed.To the best of my knowledge there are no "war-time" establishments. However, PY numbers trimming, reshuffling etc is an ongoing sport within DND/CAF. Whenever it happens and capabilities are reviewed and revised, "fat" keeps being trimmed. People realize, however, that some of that "fat" is critical in war-time and establishments for operational deployments frequently change from that of standing unit establishments. It's a particulalry critical issue when you look at some of the combat support and combat service support functions which are usually established at a level below what is required for operations.
