Goose Bay a 'perfect' base for elite JTF2, union says:
Remote Labrador site offers commando unit more secrecy, room than Ottawa location
Sun 12 June 2005
by David Pugliese
The Ottawa Citizen
Efforts are underway to convince the federal government to move the military's Joint Task Force 2 commando unit from Ottawa to Goose Bay, Labrador, to keep that remote base open and cement Liberal chances in a potentially key riding in the next election.
The Defence Department's largest union will be lobbying federal ministers to move JTF2, a plan that also has support from a Goose Bay citizens' coalition. The group has given notice to the Martin government that it expects action in the coming months from the Liberals' promise to breathe new life into the Canadian Forces installation.
Goose Bay was once a thriving base for low-level fighter jet training, attracting pilots from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and other allies. But most of the countries have either shut down their training or intend to soon pull out of the base as they shift their attention to other flying tactics or face defence budget cuts.
Goose Bay's desire for an injection of fresh military blood coincides with a move by JTF2 to expand its operations and look for a new training facility. The commando unit, estimated to be 600-strong, has outgrown its base at the corner of Dwyer Hill and Franktown roads.
Defence union president John MacLennan said Goose Bay is the perfect location for JTF2 because of the unit's fixation with secrecy and the sprawling size of the installation. Aircraft hangers could be converted for training purposes for any scenario the commando team wants to practise, he noted. The base can also support the unit's helicopter squadron.
"If they want to go covert, it's the perfect place," said Mr. MacLennan, national president of the Union of National Defence Employees. "When they get dispatched from Canada, nobody will know."
His union represents about 300 workers at the Goose Bay site. Mr. MacLennan acknowledged the Defence Department is against the idea, but added, "this is going to be a political decision."
But Steve Jurgutis, a spokesman for Defence Minister Bill Graham, said there is a need to keep JTF2 in the national capital region in case of a terrorist incident. "In terms of basing (JTF2 at Goose Bay), that's not something that's being considered at this point," Mr. Jurgutis said.
But he noted that using Goose Bay as a training area for JTF2 "is something that could be a possibility."
Mr. MacLennan argues JTF2 doesn't need a presence in the Ottawa area since the RCMP's emergency response units would be the first called in to deal with a terrorist attack. JTF2 could be called in later if needed, he added.
Dennis Peck, director of economic development for the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, also asked why the military wouldn't relocate JTF2 to the base. "Why not here?" he said. "The infrastructure is here and there are special forces from Europe who have come here to do some of their training."
Mr. Peck suggested that JTF2 could continue operating from their Ottawa base, but use Goose Bay as their main training location.
Liberal political fortunes could be riding on what ultimately happens to Goose Bay. In a May 24 byelection, the Goose Bay area elected Liberal Todd Russell as their federal representative. With every vote counting in a minority Parliament, the byelection was viewed as key for the Liberals, with Prime Minister Paul Martin meeting with Goose Bay representatives on several occasions to discuss the future of the base.
Mr. Jurgutis said the military is planning a multinational flying exercise for some time next year, but that would be a one-time event. However, the large-scale exercise would be used to show off the base to Canada's allies, he added. The government has also committed to repaving Goose Bay's runways at a cost of more than $10 million.
During the byelection, the Conservatives promised a major expansion of the base. If elected, the Conservatives say they would locate the military's newly proposed rapid-deployment force, which will consist of about 650 troops, at Goose Bay, as well as expand flying training there. They would also establish a squadron for unmanned aerial vehicles at the site.
Leo Abbass, mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, recently noted that in light of the support voters gave to the Liberals in the byelection, area residents are expecting the party to now deliver on their promises.
Mr. Russell did not respond to several requests for comment.
But Mr. Peck noted that Mr. Russell won by a significant majority, with the future of the base being the main byelection issue. "There were a lot of people here who were long-term Liberal supporters who were supporting the Conservative party because they said much more specifically this is what we will put there," Mr. Peck said.
"I think there's lots of opportunities for (the Liberals) to keep their word."