Mr. Bachand.
Evidence of meeting #30 for National Defence in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was security.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #30 for National Defence in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was security.
A recording is available from Parliament.
June 10th, 2008 / 4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to talk to you about the command structure. You did not mention it in your presentation, but it interests me greatly. General McNeill has left and now American General McKiernan is in charge of the ISAF for all Afghanistan.
Of the 47,000 troops presently in Afghanistan, how many are American? Is it 12,000?
4:15 p.m.
BGen Peter Atkinson
Give me a minute to think about that. Actually, Mr. Bachand, I am going to have to confirm the number. I do not have the precise figures with me.
4:15 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
Yes.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
The Canadian troops, about 2,500 in number, are part of Regional Command South. This is commanded by General Thompson in Kandahar.
Is that right?
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
Exactly right. He commands the Canadian brigade.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
The British, who are in Helmand province, are commanded by a brigadier general?
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
Yes, a British brigadier general.
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
Yes.
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
Yes.
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
Yes, and a general as well.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
What is his name? Can you send it to me?
At Gardez, is it an American general?
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
It is a colonel.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
With the additional United States troops in the south, do you think that they are going to be asking for a turn commanding Regional Command South soon?
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
At the moment, the rotation is between ourselves, the Dutch and the British. That was the plan worked out by the coalition members in the south of Afghanistan. We are currently discussing potential changes. At the moment, the commander of Regional Command South is Major General Lessard, who is Canadian. He commands the three brigades, the Dutch one, the British one and ours.
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
Yes.
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
Yes. There is also a group of marines in the province where the German troops are located. They are also under Regional Command South.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Okay. You are not ruling out the possibility that the colonel in Regional Command South may be replaced by a brigadier. They could possibly make that request.
4:20 p.m.
BGen P. Atkinson
The partners working together in the south would discuss that.