Comments
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- Shame
- - February 12, 2012 at 18:19:00
There is currently 4 full-time military SAR techs posted to 5 Wing Goose Bay at 444 CS Squadron on a permanent basis (funded by your tax dollars) who could have searched for young Burton Winters (if they had hitched a ride on a civilian helicopter). 444 CS Squadron has 2 CH146 Griffon helicopters stationed here in Goose Bay but why if they are always broken? They do tend to get "magically" fixed when they have to go to warm places like Haiti or Jamaica. It is beginning to appear that DND is able to help others only when it is convienent. It is not the first time a blind eye has been turned to Canadians in need of help knowing full well a life or more hung in the balance. In May of 2010 during the search for 3 men at Muskrat Falls where was this Squadron? Even without a helicopter they could have deployed a ground search party to assist the civilians who did so. It appears as though this Squadron has no purpose or mission. It's members can only can repair aircraft while they are deployed outside of Canada or not busy putting their personal interests well ahead of what their duties are supposed to be. The very worst part is that the Chief of Defence General Walt Natynczyk was in Goose Bay this week on Wed 8 Feb for a very “hushed” visit and awarded medals to members of this Squadron. Talk about a slap in the face to the Winters family. Shame!
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- Greg
- - February 10, 2012 at 08:35:11
I just want to know how we can prevent it from happening again? Because the way I see it nothing will change. I just wish we had the will Burton had to walk 19 km in that snow and ice, to affect real change for the better. Deepest sympathies to Winters Family.
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- David
- - February 10, 2012 at 08:33:30
WR Bennett ,, count me in for a donation to a Coroner's Inquest. the truth begs to be told here. i am also sure that the SAR techs want the truth to come out. lets put the blame where it belongs..step up miss premier. lead your people. order the inquiry.
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- s parsons
- - February 9, 2012 at 08:18:29
so, 2 helicopters out of commission and no backup? a private helicopter can fly in the weather but they can't? they never followed up after the initial call to see if assistance was stille needed? pure incompetence and apathy.
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- Dwayne
- - February 9, 2012 at 08:18:12
What a disgraceful excuse for an excuse....shameful...
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- WR Bennett
- - February 9, 2012 at 08:16:24
Just listened to CBC Nightline. They played a video of today's DND newsconference. In response to a question Admiral Gradham said that he did not send the Gander chopper as he did not want to take a resource away if he got a marine call. Fair enough. At the outset of this matter, DND should have said that they could not have responded as the Goose choppers where out for maintenance and that they did not want to dispatch the Gander chopper because they did not want to leave themselves short if a mayday came in offshore. The weather was red herring
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- billy
- - February 9, 2012 at 08:15:03
The good Admiral tells us that a helicopter could not be sent because of the "potential" emergency that could happen while away in Labrador. Would it make sense to deal with a "known" emergency than to keep the helicopter grounded in the event of a "potential" emergency. The Admirals explanations just to cut it. They blew it, simple !!!
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- David
- - February 8, 2012 at 21:17:10
The Admiral's comments don't make sense to me, they send a large chopper, out of Gander anywhere to try rescue people at sea, but couldn't do that for a you kid from Labrador. Had to blame it on the weather and mechanical problems. Maybe they feel a youth from Labrador is not as important as a ship at sea. Shame on DND. Very feeble excuse as far as I am concerned.
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- AJ McCarthy
- - February 8, 2012 at 21:16:58
...can you come yet?....can you come now?.....are you on the way yet?....you not left yet?...you must be able to come now?....please sir, will you come?....don't bother coming now! ....... sometimes, Admiral, it's hard to admit your mistakes - so let me go first. I made a huge one in 1949.
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- BR
- - February 8, 2012 at 21:16:31
The man cannot pronounce Makkovik properly. One of the biggest complaints about taking away our SAR is the confusion over language. I guess this man just confirmed it.
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- John
- - February 8, 2012 at 21:15:09
The Cormorant has a very extensive array of navigation instruments. Among them are both terrain and collission avoidance radar along with FLIR. Even with bad weather, they should have been able to fly; they don't need to see the runway to take off vertically and once they get away they can get going to where they have to go. With a 15,000 foot ceiling, they might even be able to get above the bad weather.
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- WR Bennett
- - February 8, 2012 at 21:14:29
Something Not RIght Here, Yes something is not right. Three servicable Cormorants were available in Gander, but as the military responded today, they were not sent as they may be used for something else. If the provincial does not have the guts to call a Coroner's Inquest, if the family wishes, let us fund raise for a Civil Law Suit. The truth has to come out.
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- david
- - February 8, 2012 at 17:35:39
way to go Rear Admiral Dave Gardam . first it was the weather. now its maintenance problems. im sure everyone in Labrador feels totally safe now if they should happen to need rescue by SAR. two helicopters in Goose bay, they don't work but they are there. am i wrong in thinking that when both helicopters were out of service for maintenance that a replacement shoud have been arranged??? check out this video on Search and Rescue.. http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2011-2012/mayday/
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- david
- - February 8, 2012 at 17:35:29
way to go Rear Admiral Dave Gardam . first it was the weather. now its maintenance problems. im sure everyone in Labrador feels totally safe now if they should happen to need rescue by SAR. two helicopters in Goose bay, they don't work but they are there. am i wrong in thinking that when both helicopters were out of service for maintenance that a replacement shoud have been arranged??? check out this video on Search and Rescue.. http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2011-2012/mayday/
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- MB
- - February 8, 2012 at 17:21:36
Wow, not a mention of the fact that there was a private helicopter engaged in SAR operations off Makkovik, nor was there any talk what so ever of dispatching the Helicopter out of Gander to engage in the search. And another point, why is it that a request for air search and rescue has to be put in twice? If you ask me, if the helicopters were out of service, and weather was an issue, why wasn't a push put on repairing a helicopter and making it ready for departure as soon as weather was appropriate? But no, after the initial call for help they were unable to dispatch, fine then, but they need a second call for help before they dispatch? Wow that really gives me piece of mind....NOT!!!
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- Duffy
- - February 8, 2012 at 17:20:57
Excuses....Excuses. Just did not have the guts to respond - the weather was not good...Oh No we mean the helicopters were broke down. What Next. Fire the General !!!! Do a contract with the USA Military Coast Guard - they respond in all conditions! Joe you are so right !
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- Greg
- - February 9, 2012 at 08:17:45
They don't have the guts? You forgot about a guy named Sgt. Janick Gilbert awfully quick. It's a wonder we don't have many SAR techs, with all the brave people like you around?
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- Scoobie
- - February 9, 2012 at 08:16:59
1. There was mention of the private owned Helios. One which broke down on arrival. 2. Are you saying the SAR teams have no guts???? 3. So you wish to hand over SOV to the americans?
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- Something's not right
- - February 8, 2012 at 17:20:44
Something is not right here. How does the Admiral account for the participation of a much lesser equipped civilian chopper.This is one of those situations that cries out for a formal inquiry. But that won't happen. The provincial government has the power to call an inquiry but won't because one of the key issues - adequacy of search and rescue - is under federal control and there is no appetite for taking on Ottawa on such a contentious issue. The federal government could commission an inquiry but will not do so because the next election is four years away and because Mr. Penashue has almost zero clout in cabinet. If an inquiry was commissioned, it would need to look not only at rescue preparedness and response, but at other measures that might help prevent such tragic deaths among young people. Other than to rely on the media to investigate this further, the family could launch an action against the crown for negligence as a means of accessing the full record. The Labrador Coast can be beautiful at times, but it is among the most hostile, unforgiving environments in the world. Condolences to the Winter family.
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- tom
- - February 8, 2012 at 17:19:59
Joe I agree. But why would a second request be needed?? Would they not leave to offer air support as soon as the weather cleared up? I would have assumed once a request goes in, they follow up when they can get in the air - but apparently not. That poor young fellow. We let him down.
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So they don't have a back up plan? really !