Batteries for the infantry

The Toronto Star has an article about the battery requirements of the Canadian infantry in Afghanistan and the efforts to develop a replacement.

The average infantry soldier on a three-day mission in Kandahar carries up to 40 spare AA batteries. That rises to more than 900 batteries for a platoon, 3,200 for a company and 6,500 for a full battle group of about 1,000 soldiers. The cost of equipping all the 2,800 Canadians soldiers in Afghanistan with enough juice to power their equipment for a standard six-month deployment, approximately 750,000 batteries weighing about 14 tonnes, can run up to $1 million.

CF to map Afghanistan

The Canadian Press reports that the Canadian Forces are to produce a digital map of southern Afghanistan. The Air Force will use Aurora reconnaissance aircraft which are normally used for maritime patrol.

The article includes these stats:

According to statistics provided Monday by Canada's air wing, during the first three months of this year its Chinooks and Griffons in Afghanistan flew nearly 4,000 passengers and about 90,000 kilograms of cargo.

The Hercules transports, which are normally based at Trenton, Ont., moved 38,000 passengers last year and lifted nearly five million kilograms of cargo.

CF to deply to Caribbean and Latin America

The Ottawa Citizen reports that 30 Canadian Forces medical personal will be deploying with the US Navy on a medical mission to Latin America and the Caribbean.

CF to start using Spangdahlem Air Base

The US Air Force reports that the Canadian Forces will start using Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to support overseas operations.

Spangdahlem AB, already being referred to in the Canadian military as "Euro-Hub," becomes the first in what is expected to become of web of seven locations to be developed and kept in readiness for theater activation and support. U.S. Air Force personnel at the base won't notice much of a Canadian Forces presence -- perhaps a half-dozen Canadian Operational Support Command specialists -- as the Canadians work with their American and German counterparts to plan for any future contingency.

Special Ops Boats

Popular Mechanics has an article about the Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, or SWCCs and their boats. There are some pictures as well as diagrams of the heavily armed river craft.

Unmanned patrol boats

The Washington Times has an article about the US Navy and its interest in unmanned patrol boats.

General Dynamics already has delivered two 11-meter drones for the Littoral Combat Ship.

The craft, which resemble bulked-up bass boats, "operate and support sensor systems, including [various] sonars," said company spokesman Karl Oskoian. He said they have "360-degree situational awareness," can handle 5,000-pound payloads and can operate for 24 hours straight.

Special ops Osprey ready for action

Danger Room reports that after 30 years of development the Osprey tilt rotor aircraft is ready for use in special operations.

Video of patrolling Canadian Forces

The Atlantic has a page with some interesting videos of Canadian troops patrolling in Afghanistan. This is the sort of thing that I am often surprised not to see on the evening news.

Pirate Photos

The Big Picture has a page of photos of pirates operating off the coast of Somalia.

CIA using secret base in Pakistan for drones

The Times reports that the CIA is using a secret base in Pakistan to launch drone missions inside the country. I particularly liked this quote:

“No. No. No. No. No. We unequivocally and emphatically can tell you that there is no basing of US troops in Pakistan,” he said. “There is no basing of US Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, none, on the record and emphatically. I want that to be very clear. And that is the answer any way you want to put it. There is no base here, no troops billeted. We do not operate here.”

He said that he could not comment on CIA operations.

Followup: The Times has another article about Google Maps providing pictures of the base.

CF hunt IEDS from the air

The Canadian Press has an article on new Canadian Forces operations that use helicopters at night to locate IEDs planted on the roads in Afghanistan.

Forward Air Controllers

The BBC has an article about the training of British Forward Air Controllers.

Spitfire for sale

The Times has a short article about an air worthy Spitfire that comes up for auction soon. It is expected to sell for GBP 1.5 million.

US shipping pirates to Kenya

The Hampton Roads Pilot has an article about US Navy anti-piracy operations off Somalia. the interesting thing is this paragraph:

Under a new agreement with the U.S. military, the suspects will be turned over to the Ken­yan government for prosecution, Murdoch said.

New US Navy Uniforms

The Hampton-Roads Pilot has an interactive feature on the new US Navy uniforms. The new working uniforms are a sort of blue camouflage which seems a bit strange on a ship but they explain that the camouflage pattern is to hide stains and dirt on the uniform rather than the wearer.

USAF UAVs

NetworkWorld reports that the US Air Force will be acquiring more unmanned aircraft than manned aircraft in 2009.

via slashdot

Blackwater renames itself

The New York Times reports that security contractor Blackwater has renamed itself Xe. I always find corporate rebranding a bit amusing but in this case maybe they have a point.

Pentagon PR

Danger Room reports that the US Military has 27,000 people working in recruiting and PR. The entire Canadian Forces comprise 62,000 members (plus 25,000 reservists).

SEAL extraction video

This Youtube video shows some US Navy SEALS being extracted by helicopter. The amazing thing is that the helicopter basically lands in the water and the SEALS drive their small boat right up into the back.

CF considering laser eye surgery

The National Post reports that the Canadian Forces is considering offering laser eye surgery for members. I believe that this is already the case in the US and other countries.