Mali choppers face crash threats, but can shoot back at militants: Vance
OTTAWA — Given prior experience, the Canadian helicopter contingent bound for Mali will probably face greater danger from the risk of a mechanical failure and crash than it will from a terrorist attack, the chief of the defence staff suggested Monday.
That’s in part because Canada’s contribution to support the United Nations peace force there will likely be based in a well-defended military base in the country’s eastern city of Gao, Gen. Jonathan Vance told The Canadian Press.
“There is an environmental threat just by being in Africa. It’s been said by many people, and I agree, Mali is a dangerous place,” Vance said.
Four UN peacekeepers have been killed in helicopter crashes, “all of which have been associated with mechanical failure of the helicopters. None have been associated with belligerent activity that affected those helicopters.”