Canadian Forces may need U.S. help supplying Arctic

[alp227]

Source: Canadian Press

The Canadian military will have to look to commercial contractors and possibly even exchanges with the Americans in order to sustain itself when forces are built up in the country's far North, a series of internal Defence Department documents show.

All three branches – the navy, air force and army – have begun to grapple with the specifics of the enormous, logistical challenge presented by the Harper government's Arctic policies.

A series of reports, briefings and planning directives, obtained by The Canadian Press under access to information laws, show that the biggest concern isn't getting forces into the harsh region, but the ability to keep them supplied with fuel, ammunition, food and shelter.

Documents dating back to 2008 suggest the annual operating cost could run between $843 million and $1 billion. But more detailed records – all from 2010 – show it's going to be a complicated exercise.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/11/14/pol-military-arctic-supplies.html

[Fearless]

1. Lets hope Sarah Palin will not be able to see Russia from her house

And equally that Canada does not destroy one of the world's largest virgin ecosystems.

[bahrbearian]

2. So who are they fighting?

[freshwest]

3. The US Treasury, as always. I suspect contractors out of work from Iraq. Scapegoat to be named later

[BadtotheboneBob]

4. Nobody, yet...

All the arctic nations are ramping up defenses of their territories over natural resources (read: oil) now the ice is melting allowing easier access by ships. The issue is extentions of the continental shelf. The Russians are particularly aggressive in this regard: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/16/139577789/russia-pushes-to-claim-arctic-as-its-own

[DCBob]

6. so fking ironic isnt it.. global warming may actually result in more oil discovered..

and burned and further worsen the problem... and may also end up creating a war over ownership. Rather sickening.

[bahrbearian]

9. Its the methane that will kill us.

[bahrbearian]

7. Is this a reason for war ? or can we Negotiate? I guess the 1st action is to Militarize

[jberryhill]

5. Posturing over territorial claims

[bahrbearian]

8. Of course, that is the reason for the DOD, exert influence.