Canada in Afghanistan

Originally posted by Darrell Zinck
Oh and I've always known MREs to be 3 lies in one; not a meal, not ready, and certainly not anything you can eat!!!

regards
Darrell

Good one Darrell

:witch

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Darrell Zinck
I too was a great fan of the old Ham Omlette. And I too was the subject of disbelief when stating that at meal times. I think the young-uns had it removed because it was visually unappealing. I thought so too but at least the old "Lung in a Bag" was certainly the best tasting of the Breakfast menus. That and the old corned beef hash. Both were also good next-to-skin pouches for supplementary heating methods!!

Quite so, Darrell, and it's good to know there's at least one other fossil among us! "...lemme tell ya 'bout the stuff we USED to eat..."

The hash was good, although spending any amount of time inside a Grizzly after eating a couple was, er, an interesting olfactory experience...

Cold spaghetti was also a bit of adventure.

One thing they never did get right was that abomination they called coffee. Disgusting! There was NOTHING you could do to make that palatable. Order of the day, your OWN coffee or tea in your ruck!

HARSH ... BAD COFFEE IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!!!!

OKAY WHO DO I HAVE TO TAKE OUT :witch TO GET GOOD COFFEE IN FOR OUR TROOPS

pssssst Geoff ... I found the link for those Blue Rodeo tunes and am listening now

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
LMAO!!!!! And Canucks have rations some other armies would KILL for, particularly Americans... I don't know if theirs have improved in recent years, but their MREs used to be referred to as "Mainly Rat Entrails"...

Me, I'm just pissed they chucked the ham omelet; it was a culinary work-of-art... I used to trade just about any other meal I was carrying for ham omelets, while the lads would look at me with a mixture of awe and horror on their faces. It was a character-building exercise to scarf the things cold at oh-dark-thirty, flavoured with salt, pepper and ketchup! The young-uns with spirit learned to motivate THEIR charges accordingly, bless 'em all!

When the CF started cutting over to what they thought of as 'gourmet' meals, the charm went out of field cookery. It was "where the hell is my Tabasco sauce?!"

Ah, the good ol' days...

And the ham steak and bread packet are gone too!!??!! What are they thinking in Ottawa? If I remember correctly the boil-in-the-bag entrees were made by Freddy-Chef, and they weren't too bad either, just not enough. In temperate weather 3 IMPs will sustain life, but just. You won't stay 230 lbs for long when you're a CME working 18 hours a day, having Stand-to's at night, and playing OPFOR. But we Canadians can't complain too much...our IMPs beat any other Army's field rations, except for maybe the French, and the food in our Mess Halls is pretty darn good too. Although I didn't like the bacon they served in the Golan Heights. None of the countries in the Middle East serve Pork so we had to import our bacon from Greece where they feed fish meal to the hogs, so the bacon tasted like fish...Yuck! The Swine!

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by sapper740
...and the food in our Mess Halls is pretty darn good too.

Yep, I used to put on WAY too much weight eating in the Mess on classroom-based qual crses at Borden. Well, those and spending an inordinate amount of time at the Mess bar, waiting for some nervous young clot to walk in c/w beret...

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

This is incredibly well done! It's America-oriented of course, so you Yank-baiters will have to bite your tongues; simply respect the creativity and imagination which has gone into this!

Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyUX6wV1lBQ

[Wayne McGee]

Well, the last of the 2 RCR ROTO will be back home any day now and I wish the best of luck to the VanDoo BG in their misson.
Putting all of the political/media trash aside, over concerns of a French Canadian BN deploying, I'm sure that they see themselves as contributing to a worthwhile Op. Unfortunately, the odds of the BN coming out of this ROTO unscathed are slim. We, back here in Canada (Franco and Anglo) had best steele ourselves for the inevitable "talking head" annoucement of a Quebec (not Canadian) soldier casualty. This will, no doubt, inspire a political feeding frenzy. While Layton goes on a rant, the Bloc will secretly rub their hands in glee. Hopefully the PM can muster up some poise (something he's not really famous for) and remind the Country, that being the envy of the Global Community comes with Global Responsibility, now let's quietly grieve with the mother who's world has come crashing down.
My most heartfelt condolences to those families who have lost loved ones.

[John McGillivray]

Originally posted by Wayne McGee
Well, the last of the 2 RCR ROTO will be back home any day now and I wish the best of luck to the VanDoo BG in their misson.
Putting all of the political/media trash aside, over concerns of a French Canadian BN deploying, I'm sure that they see themselves as contributing to a worthwhile Op. Unfortunately, the odds of the BN coming out of this ROTO unscathed are slim. We, back here in Canada (Franco and Anglo) had best steele ourselves for the inevitable "talking head" annoucement of a Quebec (not Canadian) soldier casualty. This will, no doubt, inspire a political feeding frenzy. While Layton goes on a rant, the Bloc will secretly rub their hands in glee. Hopefully the PM can muster up some poise (something he's not really famous for) and remind the Country, that being the envy of the Global Community comes with Global Responsibility, now let's quietly grieve with the mother who's world has come crashing down.
My most heartfelt condolences to those families who have lost loved ones.

My concern is that with all this media hype the R22R battle group is being set up for special attention from Timmy. The Canadian media and politicians make it sound that inflicting casualties during this rotation will have a greater political impact than on other rotations, i.e. making them into higher value targets.

Also I am sure that some in English Canada are waiting for the first perceived screw-up by the Van-Doos, so they can engage in their favourite sport of Quebec bashing.

One should remember that the troops being sent to Afghanistan are Canadians! Quebec, in spite of the best efforts of the PQ, BQ and their allies in the rest of Canada, is still a part of Canada. The Van-Doos includes French speaking troops from all parts of Canada, and not just Quebec.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

The spirit of Paul Triquet and his men is ageless, universal and unconquerable... oh that the rest of the country would sit up and shed its petty, media-driven preconceptions!!

[John McGillivray]

Royal 22nd Regiment penetrates hostile territory
Updated Mon. Aug. 6 2007 7:55 AM ET
Martin Ouellet, Canadian Press
DISTRICT SHAH VALI KOWT, Afghanistan -- Canadian soldiers from the Royal 22nd Regiment moved deep into hostile territory over the weekend, patrolling a vast region of Afghanistan known to be sympathetic to the Taliban.
Canadian troops did not confront insurgents during this trek but they are convinced the territory is guided by a "phantom Taliban government."
Along roads, through fields and mountains, the soldiers cut a wide swath across a region north of Kandahar in light armoured vehicles. They continued their patrol on foot through punishing 50 degree C heat.
At best, the reception from local villagers was polite and lukewarm, as most men and children - women are absent from public spaces in Afghan villages -- watched the soldiers march with a mix of fear, mistrust and sometimes hostility in their eyes.
The troops are often seen as invaders.
One youth, who hid a sickle behind his back was told by a soldier to drop his weapon. An elder intervened and persuaded the young man to get rid of the object before the situation deteriorated.
Elsewhere, residents in a hamlet acknowledged the troops with indifference. The locals spoke among themselves and drank tea, while an officer tried to persuade citizens to show the soldiers around the village.
"The Americans came here and they promised to build a school," said Chalam Abad, an elder claiming to be the town's mayor.
"They never did it."
Abad, speaking through an interpreter, said he had not seen NATO soldiers in the community for at least three years.
Villagers said they have never had a problem with the Taliban. Some said the Taliban have never set foot in the region.
The International Security Assistance Force, of which Canada is a member, thinks otherwise.
"There is a phantom Taliban government here," said one officer.
"That's why we have to be present here, checking over the terrain to counter infiltration by the Taliban."
For his part, Sgt. Steve Dufour says there is still a lot of work to be done in Afghanistan before winning over the local population.
"There are people who are frightened and we see that there is still lots of information to send to the villages to explain to people that we are here to help," he said

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

Canadian helping spur development in Afghanistan
Updated Sun. Aug. 5 2007 10:16 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A veteran Canadian aid worker is braving the serious security threats of southern Afghanistan and trying to help villagers in the region better their lives.
"It's really critical to establish the economic infrastructure -- jobs, jobs, jobs," Drew Gilmour of Development Works Canada told CTV News. "Water is life, but providing opportunity jobs and training -- well, that makes life worth living."
Gilmour's private-sector work with Marjburobad -- one poor, dry community outside Kandahar City -- did start with water.
"They said, 'We have seen a thousand people come and go, but prove to us you are serious,' and we asked them, what, and they said water," he said.
Gilmour responded by first digging them a well.
Within a few weeks, over 200 village men had jobs. They built six more wells, and construction on an irrigation system is now well underway.
The goal is to plant fields with vegetable crops that can then be grown at market. The community's sense of hope is growing with the progress.
To help them, Gilmour brought Said Ahmad Azizi, one of Afghanistan's leading engineers, out of retirement to help with the efforts.
"I am not supposed to work, but I love to work with the country because its completely ruined out, destroyed and everybody needs something," Azizi said.
The Canadian International Development Agency funds Gilmour's work. They look on his effort as establishing a blueprint for how badly-needed private-sector development projects can get started in Kandahar province.
"He is operating as a pioneer," Kevin Rex, a CIDA official and development advisor to Joint Task Force Afghanistan, said of Gilmour.
However, the dangers facing anyone doing the work Gilmour does are very real.
In 2006, insurgents are believed to have murdered British Columbia resident Mike Frastacky, who was building a co-ed school in northern Afghanistan.
The Taliban think kidnappings are a good way to pressure the Afghan government. They currently hold 21 South Korean missionaries and aid workers, having killed two others.
When Gilmour leaves his Kandahar City compound, he does so with protection and after engaging in some careful planning.
"We have security procedure and I would say we are professional, and I would say there is some inherent risk that we try to minimize," he said.
But Gilmour also said the risk is worth it. "By far this is the most rewarding thing I have done in development," he said, adding his biggest reward is the smiles on the faces of village children.
He hopes to extend his efforts to a total of seven villages, and that if he succeeds, more will follow in his footsteps.
With a report from CTV's Denelle Balfour\

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[Wayne McGee]

These are the Cardinal Sins for discussion in any Sergeants Mess I've ever been in. Here, on my first visit to your Mess I've broken Rule #3. To the uninitiated, the Sergeants & WOs Mess might appear to be a pretty boring place with all these people standing around with nothing to talk about. However, we know that, that is not the case.
In my experience I have witnessed a definite "Regimental Personality" down to the BN level. However, I am ignorant of the " personality" of 1,2,3 BN R22R. This has never stopped me from joining the frivolity of "Unit Bashing" which is a great Mess sport conducted around the BS table. However, we all know that if we come to find ourselves on the wrong side of the Crack/Thump I'll be more than happy to have a Canadian Infanteer watching my back regardeless of what capbadge he's wearing.
So, let politicians wail, let the media pontificate. Just know that and trust that for this Misson to succeed the best people in the world are on the job, the Canadian Infantryman.

[John McGillivray]

Afghan insurgent attack injures 5 Canadians
Updated Sat. Aug. 11 2007 10:12 PM ET
Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Five Canadian soldiers were slightly injured on Sunday when their convoy was attacked by a roadside bomb and rocket-propelled grenades.
Lt.-Cmdr. Hubert Genest says the victims were in an RG31 light-amoured vehicle in a supply convoy when they were ambushed about 13 kilometres west of Kandahar at 1:20 a.m. local time.
They had just supplied the Ma'sum Ghar base and were about halfway back to the base at Kandahar when they were attacked.
The injured were brought back to the Ma'sum Ghar camp where they are waiting to be transferred by helicopters to the hospital at the Kandahar base.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[John McGillivray]

Injured Canadian soldiers airlifted to hospital
Updated Sun. Aug. 12 2007 8:54 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Five Canadians soldiers, injured in a roadside attack, have been airlifted to a Kandahar hospital in southern Afghanistan.
Military officials say the soldiers suffered non-life threatening injuries when their convoy was hit by a roadside bomb and rocket-propelled grenades on Saturday.
The troops were travelling in a RG31 light-armoured vehicle when they were ambushed about 13 kilometres west of Kandahar.
CTV's Danelle Balfour told CTV Newsnet on Sunday that the wounded soldiers belonged to the National Support Element, who generally remain on the base unless supplies and soldiers are needed elsewhere.
The soldiers had just supplied the Ma'sum Ghar base and were halfway back to the base at Kandahar when they were attacked.
Four soldiers -- three of them part of the U.S.-led coalition, one of them NATO -- were killed Sunday in separate combat incidents in eastern Afghanistan, according to coalition and NATO statements.
A total of 37 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died in bombings in Afghanistan.
With files from the Associated Press and the Canadian Press

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories


Afghan army waiting for promised arms from Canada
Updated Sun. Aug. 12 2007 8:12 AM ET
Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Toting obsolete equipment and an arsenal dating back to the Soviet era, the Afghan National Army says it's waiting for modern weapons promised by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor.
The Afghan army, which Canada is counting on to take over fighting against the Taliban in coming months, still has yet to receive C-7 assault rifles and ammunition the Canadian government pledged to deliver, said Lt.-Col. Sherinshaw Khobandi.
In Ottawa, a Defence Ministry spokesman confirmed that supplies for the Afghan National Army are planned, but declined to specify a date when they will be delivered.
Khobandi said O'Connor should have replenished the arsenal, at least in part, during his last visit. O'Connor's last public trip to Afghanistan was in March.
"We had a good talk with him," he said through an interpreter during a visit to the Kandahar multinational base on Saturday.
"I suggested that he could help us with some weapons and some ammunition. His recommendation was that within the next few months, he'll supply us with brand new equipment from(the) Canadian Forces."
The C-7 delivery delay has slowed the preparation of Afghan recruits and stalled their takeover of combat operations against the Taliban.
For now, Afghan soldiers must rely on Soviet-era weapons, such as the Kalashnikov AK-47.
At best, the AK-47s are not as precise and have a shorter range than the C-7, which is the Canadian version of the American M-16.
Khobandi is waiting for the weapons with impatience.
"I'm hoping and waiting for that day (to) come," he said.
"So that we can work together with the Canadian Forces, with their new equipment and then we'll be trained with the new Canadian equipment for future operations."
In the meantime, the Afghan military has a lot of work to do before it can match the firepower and challenge insurgents in place of Canadian troops.
In Kandahar province, less than 500 men are sufficiently trained and ready for combat.
Canada's new tactical group commander in the Kandahar province, Lt.-Col. Alain Gauthier, remains optimistic.
Gauthier said Afghan soldiers will have sufficient numbers and will be adequately trained to secure districts around Kandahar City.
"This will permit us (the Canadian military) to enlarge our field of action farther into the province," said Gauthier, who replaced Lt.-Col. Rob Walker.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._name=&no_ads=

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
Afghan army waiting for promised arms from Canada
Updated Sun. Aug. 12 2007 8:12 AM ET
Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Toting obsolete equipment and an arsenal dating back to the Soviet era, the Afghan National Army says it's waiting for modern weapons promised by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor.
The Afghan army, which Canada is counting on to take over fighting against the Taliban in coming months, still has yet to receive C-7 assault rifles and ammunition the Canadian government pledged to deliver, said Lt.-Col. Sherinshaw Khobandi.....

Someone at Diemaco/Colt Canada has to be jumping up & down right about now...

[John McGillivray]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Someone at Diemaco/Colt Canada has to be jumping up & down right about now...

The C7s may be second hand, since the CF appears to be changing over to the C8.

[John McGillivray]

Two injured Canadian soldiers leave hospital
Updated Sun. Aug. 12 2007 12:23 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Five Canadian soldiers were injured when their convoy rolled over a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan on Sunday.
Military officials say the soldiers suffered non-life threatening injuries when their convoy was hit by a roadside bomb and rocket-propelled grenades on Sunday.
Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche, who visited the wounded soldiers, said their injuries were not serious.
Two of the soldiers have already left the hospital and returned to their units, Laroche said.
Four of the soldiers are from Quebec, including one from Montreal, two from Laval and another one from Valcartier. The fifth one is from Moncton, N.B.
The troops were travelling in a RG31 light-armoured vehicle when they were ambushed about 13 kilometres west of Kandahar.
CTV's Danelle Balfour told CTV Newsnet on Sunday that the wounded soldiers belonged to the National Support Element, who generally remain on the base unless supplies and soldiers are needed elsewhere.
The soldiers had just supplied the Ma'sum Ghar base and were halfway back to the base at Kandahar when they were attacked.
Three U.S. soldiers died Sunday in roadside bombing in eastern Afghanistan, bringing the number of international soldiers killed over the weekend to six.
The soldiers were engaged in combat in the Nangarhar province when their vehicle struck an explosive device. A civilian interpreter was also killed.
Of the 66 military personnel and one diplomat killed in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002, 37 have died in bombings.
With files from the Associated Press and the Canadian Press

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Goddam media just CAN'T leave that alone! They wouldn't have said "Four of the soldiers are from Alberta, including one from Edmonton...." etc.

I'm going to write CTV a nastygram giving them Royal Shite this afternoon AND cnews (it's on there too)... I don't give a damn whether they get their feeds from CP or the News Fairy, this is JUST...NOT...RIGHT!

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi

The one from Moncton is an 8th Canadian Hussar (the unit I'm RSS to) and he's OK. Just a little shook up and even less bruised. He's a good troop and let's say that John's Son should know him.

Oh, and I'm home!!!!












regards
Darrell

[Wayne McGee]

Are you any relation to Roy "Head-Like-A-Forty-Pound-Smartie, Big-Like-Locomotive, Smart-Like-Dump Truck" Zinck. Ex of 1Bn NSHighrs(N)? Just wondering.
Glad to hear the Trooper from your locale will be OK, in fact, it's good news that all of those involved in the latest brew-up were'nt more seriously hurt. Hopefully this ends the "Backstage Jitters" stage and the BG can move forward with a little more confidence.
Anyways, welcome home, kick back, have a couple of wobbly-pops, and then get ready for another action packed training year.

Cheers

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

It's good to know you're on home ground now and I pass you my warmest welcome, on behalf of all of us. Ya done good, mate!

How much leave are they giving you? And how hard was it to "acclimatize" to our (by comparison) freezing country?!

Originally posted by Darrell Zinck
Hi

Oh, and I'm home!!!!

regards
Darrell

Rock-n-roll-n-eat-drink-n-be-merry-hallelujah!

Great to hear and Welcome home Darrell

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Carmen

Thanks. And thanks to for the kind messages and PM's while I was gone. It goes a long way to helping the troops feel wanted and appreciated. They're doing a great job and need the chance to finish what we started or we'll be contributing to the country falling back into ruin and anarchy. Also we certainly risk embarrasement in front of the whole world for cutting and running. (See my Layton cartoon posting around here somewhere!!) That would be a shame I couldn't live with as a Canadian soldier.

Hi Geoff

Thanks Geoff, good to be back. Acclimating isn't too bad as it's been warm here but I do find the humidity a bit much. I shouldn't complain, I know. Especially after I start 34 days leave on Sat!!


Hi Wayne

Nope, no relation I know of. Your friend "Roy" does sound like one of us tho'!! Probably 13th Cousins or something. My Clan is from down Bridgewater way and Dad was 40 yrs in the Air Force. I have an Aunt in Hilden too but she's not a Zinck. Be there Sat as a matter of fact; looking for a new VW.

regards
Darrell

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

This ought to put a smile on a few face overs there...

The real question, though, is what are they going to do with our Leo1s?

August 16, 2007

German Leopard 2 tanks arrive in Kandahar

By MARTIN OUELLET

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - The first of 20 Leopard 2 tanks Canada has leased from Germany arrived in Kandahar this morning aboard an Antonov transport aircraft.

The tank operators encountered a minor technical glitch with the turrets, but military spokesman Capt. Hubert Genest says the problem can be repaired easily.

The rest of the tanks will be shipped in the coming weeks. They are replacing the aging Leopard 1 tanks, which were made three decades ago and are currently being used in battle.

Col. Christian Juneau, the deputy-commander of Canadians in southern Afghanistan, says the new tanks will increase security because of their superior firing capability and protection from landmines.

But Lt.-Col. Stephane Lafaut, the incoming commander of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team in Afghanistan, says the new tanks won't give Canadian soldiers much more protection from roadside bombings.

He says insurgents tend to target less robust vehicles, like Canada's LAV3, Nyala and Bison armoured vehicles. Still, he says the tanks will likely make a "difference" in the field because they project an image of strength.

"It's another weapon in our arsenal," Lafaut said. "It could give our soldiers more confidence and be a bit of a shock for enemy troops."

Over the longer term, Canada will get 100 more Leopard 2 tanks from the Netherlands. The first shipment is set for the fall of 2008.

[John McGillivray]

Here are some photos from Combat camera.

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...e=combatcamera

[Wayne McGee]

Hell, don't bother giving the Afgan National Army C7's let 'em have the keys to our second-hand Leopard 1's.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

The first Leo2s arriving in Kandahar... sorry, they're a bit big, but I can resize later.






These photos (there are more) courtesy of a post at

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...d.php?t=118324

Click on the originals there for BIG hi-res!

[Wayne McGee]

I personally don't get a warm and fuzzy over any 60 t targets except thru the graticule of my Carl G. However, I'm SURE Darell Zinck et al are sporting Rock Hard Diamond-Cutters!

Cheers

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Could it be an Ex Dutch L 2 tank on a Dutch DAF tanktransporter.

Greetings Hendrik

[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier reported killed in Afghanistan
Updated Sun. Aug. 19 2007 4:52 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier escorting a convoy in southern Afghanistan has died from injuries inflicted by a roadside bomb.
The 23-year-old from the Montreal area was with the Royal 22nd Regiment, the Quebec-based Van Doos. He is the first member of the regiment to die in Afghanistan and the 67th Canadian military casualty overall since 2002.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldier's family," said Col. Christian Juneau, deputy commander of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, at the Kandahar air field.
"We mourn him, we will honour him in the best military tradition, and we will carry on with the mission so his sacrifice will not be in vain."
The military is not immediately releasing the soldier's name or rank at the request of his family.
The incident happened about five kilometres east of Masum Ghar, considered a hotspot, at 1:40 a.m. local time.
The soldier, travelling in a LAV-III armoured vehicle, survived the initial blast and was airlifted to the base hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
Sunday's incident happened on the same road where a Canadian RG-31 Nyala hit a roadside bomb. That Aug. 12 incident left five soldiers slightly injured.
Two days ago, a LAV-III in another Canadian convoy struck a roadside bomb, leaving two soldiers injured.
The deceased soldier had arrived in Afghanistan just over two weeks ago, and was a member of Charlie Company in the Van Doos battle group.
Canada hasn't had a soldier die since July 4. On that day, six Canadian soldiers and their Afghan interpreter died when their RG-31 struck a roadside bomb.
Returning home
On Saturday night, a group of 90 Canadian soldiers arrived back at CFB Gagetown near Oromocto, N.B.
Lt.-Col. Robert Walker, commander of 2nd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, said early Sunday that the low point of his tour was the deaths of 18 soldiers under his command.
Seven of those soldiers were based at CFB Gagetown. All 18 died from roadside bombs.
"It was very, very hard but we're professional soldiers," Walker told reporters early Sunday.
He viewed their six-month tour of duty as a success for several reasons:
-Improved security in the Kandahar area
-Improvements to roads and transportation infrastructure
-Better vaccination programs for children
-Growing optimism among the Afghan people in the area
In remarks at a concert near Quebec City on Saturday night, Prime Minister Stephen Harper praised the humanitarian efforts of the Canadian military in Afghanistan.
"Quebecers, in particular, can be very proud of the women and men of the Royal 22nd who are writing another glorious page in the history of this regiment," he said at the event, held at the Levis Forts National Historic Site of Canada.
With files from CTV's Denelle Balfour and The Canadian Press

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[John McGillivray]

Returning troops remember fallen comrades
Updated Sun. Aug. 19 2007 1:40 AM ET
Canadian Press
OROMOCTO, N.B. -- It was a bittersweet welcome home for the latest troops to return from Afghanistan as many of the soldiers and their loved ones remembered the soldiers who were killed in the war-torn country.
Lt.-Col. Robert Walker, commander of the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, said early Sunday the only low points of the six-month tour of duty were the deaths of 18 soldiers under his command, seven of them from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.
All of the deaths were caused by roadside bombs.
"It was very, very hard but we're professional soldiers,'' Walker told reporters as he arrived back at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown with 90 members of his Afghanistan battle group.
"We understand the risks and they are shared risks. I was humbled and impressed that the soldiers carried on their mission day in and day out, driving those roads and understanding the risks they were taking.''
Walker said Canadian troops take comfort in the firm belief that their comrades did not die in vain.
"They have faith in the mission,'' he said. "They understand it's a noble cause.''
He said their tour of duty was a success because the security situation in the Kandahar area has improved and that has allowed for more road construction, better vaccination programs and a growing sense of optimism among the people of Afghanistan.
Walker said the Canadian mission is also giving the Afghanistan government the time and the help it needs to build its own military and police forces.
He said Canadians opposed to involvement in Afghanistan need to educate themselves about Canada's role and its successes. He urged Canadians to give the mission time to prove its worth.
"Day by day, we're making tangible differences,'' he said. "But it takes time.''
Several hundred people waitied impatiently at CFB Gagetown for their loved ones to return after a long flight from Cyprus.
The flight was delayed an it was late Saturday night and into Sunday morning before all of the troops and their families cleared the base.
"I'll be glad to see him come through those doors,'' said John McCourt of Summerside, P.E.I., as he waited for his son, Sgt. Randy McCourt.
"It has been a long six months. Whenever you hear of accidents over there, you're always scared it's going to be your son. It's still somebody's kid. It's not fun.''
Troops from Afghanistan will be returning to Gagetown over the next two weeks.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._name=&no_ads=

Harper trumpets Afghan mission at Que. concert
Updated Sun. Aug. 19 2007 12:19 AM ET
Canadian Press
LEVIS, Que. -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper continued his campaign to drum up support for Canada's mission in Afghanistan at a concert on Saturday night near Quebec City.
"The situation of Canadians in Afghanistan is difficult and dangerous, but Quebecers can be proud of their soldiers,'' Harper said.
He made his comments at an annual concert of music and fireworks at the Levis Forts National Historic Site of Canada.
Harper lauded the Canadian military's humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, highlighting the construction of bridges, roads, schools and medical centres in the country.
The work of Canadians in Afghanistan has started to produce benefits, he said.
He said "Quebecers, in particular, can be very proud of the women and men of the Royal 22nd who are writing another glorious page in the history of this regiment.''
Six million Afghan children now have access to school and seven million were vaccinated for polio, he said.
Harper also said the country is more and more responsible for its own security.
"These advances have been realized because of the efforts of the men and women in uniform on the front lines,'' he said.
Harper paid homage to parents and spouses of troops stationed in Afghanistan. He gave paintings depicting the Canadian war memorial in Vimy, France to the parents of nine soldiers from Levis currently serving in Afghanistan.
The visit comes at time when the Conservative government has been heavily criticized in Quebec over Canada's role in Afghanistan. Recent polls suggested around 70 per cent of Quebecers oppose the mission.

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