Thanks to a tip from John MacLeod, a Shotgun reader, this detailed report on the rescue of HMCS Chicoutimi. He points out;
There were four surface vessels, plus twelve (12) Royal Navy and UK Helicopters assigned,for the most part EH101 “Merlin” aircraft. The Canadian Forces, through no fault could not launch 12 helicopters for an operation in one specific area The EH101 “Merlin” was the aircraft chosen by the Mulroney Government in 1993.
(And cancelled by Chretien.)
The Canadian forces website reports Petty Officer 2nd� class Denis Lafleur, 41, and and Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster, 41, are in stable condition and continue to improve. There’s also a small photo gallery.
update – Toronto Star has a hair-raising article on the ordeal.
On the plus side, from Bruce over at Flit I learnt hat we didn’t actually pay 750 million for the subs.
Basically we got the subs ( that the Brits didn;t want) in return for the continued British use of CFB Suffield ( some Prarie we have no use for )and Goose Bay ( air training) that it amuses the Brits to train on).
D’ya think we could continue the lease on CFB Shiloh to the Germans in return for a spare, lightly used, Mechanized Brigade? Just a thought.
Fred