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Topic: 2 RCR PRT Aug-08 (Read 198 times)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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100 2RCR soldiers train for Afghanistan mission
Published Monday June 23rd, 2008
By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com
The commander of Golf Company says his personnel are just about ready for six months of combat duty in Afghanistan.
Maj. Joe Hartson will lead approximately 100 members of The Second Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR) from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, to the central Asian country in late August.
He said he has confidence in his group's ability to perform well.
Golf Company will be providing security for the ongoing work done by the Kandahar provincial reconstruction teams (KPRT), based in Kandahar City.
"The PRTs are a unique challenge and we look forward to working with all of the other partners in this," Hartson said. "It should be an interesting time."
The deployment comes almost a year after nearly 600 soldiers from 2RCR returned to Gagetown following six months of combat duty in the volatile southern region of the country.
Eighteen soldiers from the 2RCR battle group, including five from the battalion, died during the six-month tour.
The 250-strong Kandahar provincial reconstruction teams, which operate from Camp Nathan Smith in downtown Kandahar City, carry out a range of initiatives such as police training and strengthening local governance.
Hartson said his soldiers have to be extremely flexible when working with the Kandahar provincial reconstruction teams because it "is not your standard military task."
"We (will be) out meeting locals daily - everyday," Hartson said. "We have unique security challenges that come with working in the city and in the midst of the population. The fact that we're doing something different every day (will be) a bit unusual."
Hartson said reconstruction teams aren't being targeted specifically by the Taliban.
"There have been some casualties from the PRT; it's part of the job," Hartson said. "But we are getting a lot of good co-operation from the citizens of Kandahar."
Hartson, who recently arrived home after a short visit to Afghanistan, said his personnel, in preparation for the upcoming mission, spent a month in Fort Bliss, Texas, practising combat skills.
They have also focused on security detail arrangements, countering roadside bombs (improvised explosive devices) and are now concentrating on urban operations.
Golf Company is conducting exercises in Oromocto, Saint John, Fredericton, as well as in other places, in an effort to get ready for operation in an urban environment.
"It is really just to get used to working out in the civilian environment," Hartson said. "It's not the same, but it gets us in the mind-set that everything we do is seen by the locals and has an impact on the mission."
Golf Company is expected to make at least 800 patrols during its six months in Kandahar - for the most part in LAV 3s - but also in the heavily armoured Nyala.
Hartson said even though his people will be part of the provincial reconstruction teams, there is always a chance they will be called upon to do a combat operation as part of the overall battle group.
"We are ready for that, if it comes to pass."
Golf Company will make the trip to Afghanistan as part of The Third Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3RCR) battle group out of CFB Petawawa, Ont.
The company will be taking July off before returning to duty in August for further preparation and then heading out in late August.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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May i wish our 2RCR Brothers god speed, and come back safe..i know you will do the best that is humanly possible.. and then some.. take care all...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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woody
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Pro Patria
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For the Brothers and Sisters who are being deployed we will be praying for you all to return to your loved ones.
GWG. "Pro Patria"
Bob Woodward
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