Elite soldier plotted his own vanishing

[Big_King]

An interesting story from up north concerning a Canadian SF guy (even the polite Canucks have their bad apples!):

Missing Soldier Located in Thailand

CFNIS CR 2005-04 - April 14, 2005

OTTAWA – A Canadian Forces (CF) soldier missing from his unit for 21 months has been located in Thailand and returned to Canada on Wednesday, escorted by the military's National Investigation Service (NIS).

Sgt. Paisley reported to the Canadian embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, April 7, at which time arrangements were made to transfer him into Canadian custody. Members of the NIS traveled to Thailand to escort him back to Canada.

Although the matter of his absence without authority is under investigation, his well-being and the welfare of his family are the CF's main concerns at this time. If charges are laid under the National Defence Act, this information will be made public with a subsequent news release.

The NIS has a mandate to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to National Defence property and CF personnel serving in Canada and abroad.



Background from the National Post located 3/4 down this page:

http://drop-d.com/morningpages/archives/2004_06.shtml



Apparently he did a pretty good job of duping the fuzz. Unless charges are laid though, I doubt anynone other than his CO and him will ever know the circumstances surrounding this.

[Eagle5US]

"Canadian Forces" does not equal Canadian Special Forces.
Canadian Special Forces are JTF-2 bubbas-formed in 1993.

Eagle

[Big_King]

You are completely correct. On the other hand, to steal one of B 2/75's lines from the other board; Whether you're a member of the Canadian Comfort Corps Big Breasted Mortar Platoons, a Musician, or a Jedi, you're a Canadian Forces Soldier, Sailor, or Airman (I'm not sure if there's a PC name for the last one). I hope that clears it up. The background story is pretty informative too.

edited to further clarify:
Now that I think about it, i understand where you're coming from. I'll be brief and try not t insult anyones intelligence. A special operations assaulter, coxswain, or support specialist is not an MOS/MOC, like the 18 series CMF's you guys are used to. It's simply a positon one fills based on ones desires, aptitude, needs of the unit, whatever.

[rubberneck]

Now that I think about it, i understand where you're coming from. I'll be brief and try not t insult anyones intelligence. A special operations assaulter, coxswain, or support specialist is not an MOS/MOC, like the 18 series CMF's you guys are used to. It's simply a positon one fills based on ones desires, aptitude, needs of the unit, whatever.

Edited out original response

Ooops, I am a idot. I just read your link and apparently Sgt Paisley was indeed a member of JTF-2. I guess I sould read before typing a response.

[Big_King]

More information regarding Sgt. Paisley, and it looks like justice will be swift:

http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=90ea1d1c-8701-4972-a29a-5a6ef17a8dcf

Because the National post only keeps it's stories up for a day I am re-printing the article in it's entirety here:

Classified files on laptop still missing
AWOL sergeant turns up: Potentially dangerous material disappeared with JTF2 soldier

Chris Wattie
National Post

Tuesday, April 19, 2005


Investigators are still trying to find the military laptop computer that disappeared with a member of the Canadian Forces' elite special forces unit nearly two years ago.

Sergeant Montgomery Paisley, an explosives expert with the highly secretive Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2), took the computer with him when he emptied his bank account in Canada and slipped out of the country 21 months ago.

When the burly commando turned up last week at the Canadian embassy in Thailand asking to go home, a Canadian Forces spokesman said he no longer had the laptop, which may have contained classified, even potentially dangerous material.

"He took a Department of National Defence laptop computer with him when he disappeared and it was not recovered when he returned," said Captain Mark Giles, a spokesman for the military police National Investigation Service.

Sgt. Paisley was charged yesterday with desertion, being absent without leave and theft after disappearing without a trace for almost two years, but authorities remain concerned about the still-missing military computer.

Sgt. Paisley was a "supporter" with JTF2, based in Dwyer Hill, just outside Ottawa, providing expertise in explosives, mines and booby traps. He served with the secretive commando force during its 2002 tour of duty in Afghanistan, fighting Taliban and al-Qaeda gunmen in the rugged hills and mountains.

News reports at the time of Sgt. Paisley's disappearance indicated that the missing computer held bomb-making information, but Capt. Giles said there was no information on what it may have contained. "It's an unknown at this point."

Military investigators said the 16-year veteran of the Canadian army has refused to tell them anything about where he was and why he disappeared so abruptly.

"We know he went missing after he had a period of leave; we know he took a flight to Thailand ... but the investigation hasn't turned up any information as to where exactly he went after that point or why he left," said Capt. Giles.

Since being returned to Canada last Friday, Sgt. Paisley has not given investigators any explanation for his disappearance. "For security reasons, he is being held in custody at an undisclosed defence establishment," said Capt. Giles. "This isn't your typical absent without leave case -- he's a senior soldier with some very specialized skills and training ... we want to be prudent about security. It's a precaution."

A team of 13 military police investigators searched for Sgt. Paisley for more than a year, but turned up no clues as to his whereabouts until the native of Brown's Flat, N.B., showed up unannounced at the front door of the embassy in Bangkok.

"After a period of discussion with embassy staff they realized who he was ... and we were notified," said Capt. Giles.

If the sergeant had not given himself up, Capt. Giles said he might still be missing. "The majority of the active search for him was over after the first year."

Sgt. Paisley could face up to five years in prison if a court martial convicts him of desertion, the most serious charge against him. Up to two years of his sentence would likely be served in the Detention Barracks, the notoriously strict military prison in Edmonton.

"This will go to court martial fairly soon and he'll have his day in court," said Capt. Giles.

He said the sergeant will be allowed to contact his family and a military lawyer will be provided to defend him at the court martial. Sgt. Paisley could also hire a civilian lawyer if he so chooses, Capt. Giles said.
© National Post 2005

[QRQ 30]

Phew!! I thought it was Sgt Preston of the Ykon!! :D

[magician]

that is freakin' bizarre.

the guy has 16 years in? He has an assignment like that?

and one day.....he just decides that he has had enough and he jams to Thailand?

I can understand coming here....if you have ever been here, it is self-explanatory.....but punching out with no warning for nearly two years?

got to say....I am curious to see what the real story is on this one.