April 12,2008:
As part of its post-Cold War downsizing, Canada sold its eight CH-47
heavy transport helicopters to the Netherlands in 1991. Canada had plenty of
UH-1 type helicopters, which seemed adequate for anything the Canadian ground
forces might need. Anything, that is, except Afghanistan. There, most
operations are at high altitudes, where the air is thin and lighter helicopters
cannot carry much (because of the thin air). The CH-47 also carries less, but
being larger, carries enough to be useful. Canada is scrambling to acquire
heavier helicopters. Meanwhile, its troops in Afghanistan are being supported
by Dutch CH-47s.