As HMCS Charlottetown steams (do we still use that term) towards its Mediterranean station, tensions are even higher with Iran and their neighbours. Our Canadian ship and crew will be patrolling ever watchful for vessels carrying banned cargo to nations under the UN mandated embargo. As well Syrian tensions remain high.
If Iran attempts to block the straits of Hormuz HMCS Charlottetown will be very busy with patrols.
This from Al Jazeera,
Iran has warned its neighbours in the Gulf not to make up for any shortfall in its oil exports caused by Western sanctions.
A new round of US sanctions approved last month targets the Iranian central bank, making it more difficult for Iran to sell oil abroad, though the US has delayed implementing those sanctions by six months.
And the European Union has agreed in principle to block imports of Iranian oil; it could reach a final decision on the embargo within the next week.
Those sanctions would almost inevitably create a shortfall in world markets: Iran is the second-biggest oil producer in OPEC, behind only Saudi Arabia; it pumps some 2.5 million barrels per day, and earns $75bn annually from those exports.
Ali al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia's oil minister, said over the weekend that his country would make up for any shortfall caused by the embargo. But Iran warned on Sunday that oil producers would face unspecified "consequences" if they boost their output.
"We would not consider these actions to be friendly," said Mohammad Ali Khatibi, Iran's OPEC envoy. "If the oil production nations on the Persian Gulf decide to substitute Iran's oil, then they will be held responsible for what happens."
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have long been tense, and they worsened last year over allegations of a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/01/201211595031725845.html
Meanwhile in Afghanistan our training staff are hard at work trying to instill discipline and professionalism into poorer educated Afghans. Teaching these soldiers to read and write is a large part of basic training. This in itself is a monumental task. Our Canadian instructers and teachers are prepared for the longer haul in this training process.
Good news if verified: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/pakistan-taliban-leader-believed-dead-intelligence-officials-185017284.html
This You tube Video from 2008 shows our R22R “the Vandoos” demonstrating silent drill and bandsmanship. Sgt Bruno Godere has a solo in the 7th minute that is worthy of special mention as he plays the Post Horn Gallop by Koenig. The instrument will certainly surprise you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-yxpgYGgJ8&feature=related
Also this Monday a great link to the past of the RAF and perhaps the RCAF as well sent in by my friend and fellow cook Ed Oursien. Enjoy the PDF.
Please show support for our Troops and their families.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
