Predeployment Training December 2010

Well here I am on the aircraft to Ottawa for 5 days of predeployment training.  The weather is cold,wind, and snow, as I prepare to meet my contingent.  We are in the class room for Monday morning, and IPOB has collected quite the variety of police officers from all over this great land. There are officers from the OPP, RCMP, St. Johns, Calgary City, Fredericton and, Edmonton; with skills from tactical to training to major crimes. The majority of the officers have been deployed to such places as Jordan, Namibia, Ivory Coast, Kosov, Serria Leone,Cyprus, etc, etc, a ton of experience.  At the end of the week, I have 10 new friends, and realized that this mission will be unique for all of us. I am more excited now than I was 3 months ago.  The waiting has given me a new appreciation for the importance of the experience of a life time.

I am home for the holidays, but will depart for Ottawa on January 1 2011. There I will hook up with my brothers and sisters, and we will all depart for Ottawa then onto Montreal, then KLM flight to Amsterdam, then onto Khartoum Sudan. The plan is 7 days of training/acclimatization, followed by our deployment to one of the 26 team sites located in the south.

December 4 2010

Well it's been quite a ride, here I am on December 4 and I just notified that the visas we've been waiting for 3 months have been issued.  What does that mean for me......well International peace operations branch in Ottawa, has informed me that I will be traveling to Ottawa from December 12 to the 18th. While i'm there I will be completing the required pre deployment training. On the 18th I'll fly home for Christmas and then depart for Sudan on January 3 2011.  Whew......It feels good to say that; however there hs been one small change...the mission will increase in duration from 9 months to 1 year, I guess all the other (pcc) police contributing countries, deployed their members for 1 year, and this will be standardized for all international peace operation missions. So the bags will have to re packed; I think I need a Hep A shot, pick up few items and let the journey begin.
It was funny, on Tuesday the mission was cancelled. and on Thursday it was game on, funny how things worked out, I believe this was meant to be. Well to all those at work, who were asking me on a daily basis "aren't you gone yet" thanks for caring. I wish you all gentle winds and soft landings.

The Media Event

Well I knew the day would come, when the introvert (me) had to face the local Calgary media to promote CPS involvement in the international peace operations branch, and more specifically the mission to the Sudan. It is very important to be transparent with the public regarding the use of its' police officers.  When the chief was addressing the media, I was thinking "man this guy is a pro"he covered all the sensitive topics like who pays the salaries etc etc, great job chief.  I have never stood in front of that many cameras in my life, and it was very intimidating, but it is for the greater good. At the end of it all, everybody was very happy, and well informed. Checking the local papers the next day, there was several excellent articles and pictures. My brother in law thought that was a blast to see "quick draw " in the papers, he told me that I had hit the big time, even if it is for only 15 minutes. For those of you that are planning to apply for future missions, just keep the media day in mind, and remenber how important it is to educate all involved.

August 14 2010

Well here I am, I never thought that I would be here. All the selection done, medicals, needles, etc, etc etc, but well worth it. Two and a half weeks till I leave for Ottawa for training, then onto the Sudan. Why is it the Sudan? not just Sudan. Well anyways I just wanted to share my experience with you all. I know that the blogs that I read (sounds like pain mannerman) were very helpful to me as far as making a decision to once again go over seas.  I will add to this blog as much as I can, including pictures, and stories of the great work that is been done by thousands of peacekeepers throughout the largest country in Africa. I was advised by many to keep a journal, for myself and those I love, so over the next 10 or so months join me for this epic journey. And finally, I would like to thank all those sworn and civilian members from Calgary who worked so hard to make this possible (pike borden). I was selected from a group of dedicated officers to represent the CPS on this maiden mission, thank you for the opportunity.