EvanL
12-02-2003, 03:29 PM
http://www.canada.com/components/printstory/printstory.asp?id=200A9450-51B6-417D-A3C4-5867BB75A848
Calgary Herald
Sunday, November 30, 2003
For a country with a proud past when it comes to elite special forces, Canada certainly acts strangely when it comes to recognizing its crack commando unit, JTF2.
This year, following much public clamour to release information about JTF2's accomplishments in Afghanistan, the Department of Defence released a series of murky photocopies of pictures of JTF2 in action.
One showed several of the commandos attending church. The Australians, by comparison, released 30 colour photos of its special forces in action. And the Americans are not shy about boasting of their Navy Seals and Delta Force, nor the Brits their SAS.
So, it was refreshing to see David Pratt, chairman of the Commons defence committee, recently suggest the name of Canada's top military strike force be changed to better reflect its role as an elite commando squad. JTF2, after all, sounds a bit like a high performance motor oil. JTF2 commanders rejected Pratt's suggestions for a name change, citing 10 years of history and tradition.
If they want to keep the moniker, we won't argue. They've earned the right. But give Pratt, a Liberal, credit for at least wanting to take JTF2 out of the shadows. As special forces assume a greater role in the global war against terrorism, the veil of secrecy around JTF2 is slowly being peeled back. Secrecy is needed for operational security, but why not celebrate that we have one of the best commando units in the world?
Canadian soldiers are respected internationally for their professionalism, education and training. The Liberals, it appears, would rather have the world think of us as going to trouble spots and doling out group hugs. This, from a country that once had the First Special Service Force, better known as the Devil's Brigade, a joint U.S.-Canadian commando unit that operated with distinction during the Second World War.
© Copyright 2003 Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald
Sunday, November 30, 2003
For a country with a proud past when it comes to elite special forces, Canada certainly acts strangely when it comes to recognizing its crack commando unit, JTF2.
This year, following much public clamour to release information about JTF2's accomplishments in Afghanistan, the Department of Defence released a series of murky photocopies of pictures of JTF2 in action.
One showed several of the commandos attending church. The Australians, by comparison, released 30 colour photos of its special forces in action. And the Americans are not shy about boasting of their Navy Seals and Delta Force, nor the Brits their SAS.
So, it was refreshing to see David Pratt, chairman of the Commons defence committee, recently suggest the name of Canada's top military strike force be changed to better reflect its role as an elite commando squad. JTF2, after all, sounds a bit like a high performance motor oil. JTF2 commanders rejected Pratt's suggestions for a name change, citing 10 years of history and tradition.
If they want to keep the moniker, we won't argue. They've earned the right. But give Pratt, a Liberal, credit for at least wanting to take JTF2 out of the shadows. As special forces assume a greater role in the global war against terrorism, the veil of secrecy around JTF2 is slowly being peeled back. Secrecy is needed for operational security, but why not celebrate that we have one of the best commando units in the world?
Canadian soldiers are respected internationally for their professionalism, education and training. The Liberals, it appears, would rather have the world think of us as going to trouble spots and doling out group hugs. This, from a country that once had the First Special Service Force, better known as the Devil's Brigade, a joint U.S.-Canadian commando unit that operated with distinction during the Second World War.
© Copyright 2003 Calgary Herald