[Newsbot]

Title: Search-and-rescue chopper picked up vacationing MacKay
Category: Political
Posted By: Curtman
Date: 2011-09-22 06:33:19
Canadian

[Guy_Fawkes]

It was a training exercise, come on people.

[Macguyver]

$1:

On Wednesday, CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported that MacKay used one of the three Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters stationed in Newfoundland and Labrador to transport him from a private salmon fishing lodge along the Gander River last July.

Military sources said the order to collect MacKay came from the defence minister's own office.

However, MacKay's office said he shortened his trip by a day in order to take part in a 30-minute training exercise, which had been planned, then cancelled, on several previous occasions.

http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110922/peter-mackay-newfoundland-chopper-travel-logistics-reaction-110922/20110922/?hub=OttawaHome

$1:

A military source told CTV News that the situation was unusual.

"This is not a common practice . . . this is the only time a search-and-rescue asset was used as shuttle service," the source said.

$1:

DND documents say the total annual cost per flying hour is $32,232 to operate a Cormorant helicopter, and MacKay's flight was about 30 minutes long.

[Guy_Fawkes]

Curtman beat ya to it current-events-f59/search-and-rescue-chopper-picked-up-vacationing-mackay-t97728.html

[Gunnair]

Second verse same as the first.

[raydan]

Gunnair Gunnair:

Second verse same as the first.

I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am

[Hyack]

Topics merged.....again....

[Gunnair]

Interesting discussion on CBC. There were some thoughts that the slew of leaks aimed at the CDS and MND might be pointedly aimed - possibly from within the CPC - maybe as fallout for the brass pushing back against General Leslie's Transformation plan.

Hmmm...

[Regina]

Gunnair Gunnair:

Interesting discussion on CBC. There were some thoughts that the slew of leaks aimed at the CDS and MND might be pointedly aimed - possibly from within the CPC - maybe as fallout for the brass pushing back against General Leslie's Transformation plan.

Hmmm...

I thought the same thing. Lots of East coaster politicians complaining this time too and adding that their cuts backs to the story.
If there was any real news they would have never mentioned it. Why did they wait till now since it happened over a year ago? Slow news day........expect more of the same.

[Bruce_the_vii]

Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:

It was a training exercise, come on people.

\

The story on the CBC was the military was keen to get the defense minister in a Cormorant for a ride because the Cormorant is a bit of lemon. Apparently the guy is so busy he has never inspected his new purchase. The counter argument is a basic training exercise is a least six hours. In any event I personally don't take an interest, you have to be a bureaucratic keener to get worked up by these little abuses and I don't have the judgement. The defense minister took a ride in one of his helicopters. Signify. One day the PM will take a ride in a CF-18 and it will be a great news item.

If there was a pattern of inept decisions by a minister it would be more of a concern. But a ride in his new helicopter?

I've written to MacKay and got thoughtful responses, verging on being leaks. He will answer his mail from a citizen. I still think he's a contender for leadership, despite his reputation for not beening a deep one. He's more thoughtful than Stephan Harper, who is not only a cold fish politically, isolated by his lack of style in communication with his staff but not that bright. Any little thing MacKay does will be reported by the opposition.

[martin14]

Hyack Hyack:

Topics merged.....again....

ya know, the lefty partisan hacks just can't control themselves.

[bootlegga]

Gunnair Gunnair:

Interesting discussion on CBC. There were some thoughts that the slew of leaks aimed at the CDS and MND might be pointedly aimed - possibly from within the CPC - maybe as fallout for the brass pushing back against General Leslie's Transformation plan.

Hmmm...

Especially when this quote is tacked on near the end;

$1:

Military sources say no search-and-rescue demonstration was planned until the very day MacKay's office made the request to pick him up.

Either way, this sounds like it shouldn't have happened.

It's one thing for the CDS to fly on occasion in a Challenger, but using a SAR chopper to pick you up from a vacation isn't correct.

[2Cdo]

Sounds like the Forces aren't on CTV's favourites list anymore.

What's next, Private Bloggins took some pens and paper home for personal use?

[Newsbot]

Title: MacKay took military jet to lobster fest
Category: Business
Posted By: Scape
Date: 2011-09-23 08:43:09
Canadian

[andyt]

Well those jets are just sitting around idle and the crews need to keep up their proficiency, so McKay is just taking advantage of that.