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Topic: Afghanistan - 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment - 08-09 (Read 5234 times)
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Go time!
Afghan mission changes hands as fighting season begins to die down
Scott Deveau
Canwest News Service
Sunday, September 21, 2008
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- After battling through one of the fiercest fighting seasons on record, the Canadian Forces officially handed the mission over to a new battle group during a small ceremony at Kandahar Air Field Sunday morning.
The sense of relief was tangible in the air for members of the second battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battle group based in Shilo, Man., who have been through more than most as the fighting season progressed.
The remaining few Patricias still on the ground will head home over the next two weeks as their replacements from the third battalion Royal Canadian Regiment of Petawawa, Ont., take over the mission in Kandahar province.
Eighteen soldiers have lost their lives in combat since the Princess Patricias arrived last February. Half of them were killed during a rash of violence over the last month, particularly in the Taliban strongholds of Zhari and Panjwaii.
It's widely held that Taliban-led insurgency across Afghanistan has been much more aggressive and sophisticated in terms of fighting style and weaponry this summer.
The rising number of coalition troops killed in the fighting is a testament to that.
In Kandahar, where the bulk of Canadian troops are stationed, insurgents have resorted to an asymmetrical style of fighting, including carefully orchestrated "shoot-and-scoot" ambushes, and relying on many more - and much bigger - improvised explosive devices, according to Lieutenant Colonel Dave Corbould, the outgoing battle group commander.
"I see it as almost like Nicky Nicky Nine Doors," he said. "When you're using tools like IEDs and shoot-and-scoot tactics, it means you don't have the resolve or the ability or the confidence to stay in one place and fight for a piece of ground."
The insurgents have also stepped up the number of suicide bombings in the first 20 days of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. These attacks included a twin suicide bombing two weeks ago at the police headquarters in Kandahar City that claimed the lives of two officers and injured 29 others, including eight civilians.
The rising number of civilians being caught in the crossfire, however, has more locals than ever reporting suspected Taliban hideouts and IEDs, Lt.-Col. Corbourd said.
Still, the Afghan and coalition troops have failed to gain much, if any, ground this year.
In order to establish a permanent presence in places like Zhari and Panjwaii, Brigadier General Denis Thompson, Canada's top soldier in Kandahar, has called for at least another battalion of Afghan National Army troops, in addition to three times as many trained Afghan police officers, and more coalition troops.
Some progress is being made on that front.
Earlier this month, the Afghan government agreed to nearly double the size of the Afghan army to 134,000 troops over the next four years, and another battalion of ANA is expected to arrive in Kandahar as early as next spring.
On Thursday, hundreds of Afghan National Police graduated from their eight-week training program, nearly doubling the number of uniformed officers in the province.
The eventual goal is to build the ANSF up so they can take over the fight themselves.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said he hopes to completely withdraw Canada's troops in Afghanistan from their combat role by 2011 if he is re-elected.
The handover ceremony occurred at the same time as General Rahmatullah Raufi, the governor of Kandahar, held a celebration at his palace in Kandahar City to commemorate the International Day of Peace. Both the Taliban and the coalition troops have agreed to lay down their arms for the day to commemorate the event.
"Right now Canadian troops are in urgent need in Kandahar," he said in an interview after the ceremony, adding that the Afghan government will have to determine whether another country will needed to replace them if they do leave in 2011, or if the ANSF is strong enough by then to take over the mission.
While a lot of work is still needed before ANSF can do so, the progress that has been made over the past seven months will be the Patricias' greatest accomplishment, Lt.-Col. Corbould said, comparing the training of the ANSF to a canoe trip.
"When you're in the middle of the lake, that far bank still looks a long way away ... you don't realize how far you've gone until you look back," he said. "The ANSF of the past have been seen as a target of opportunity by the enemy, and now I think the enemy is realizing they are not so easy to hit and get away with it."
Lieutenant Colonel Roger Barrett, the commanding officer of the new battle group, said the Patricia's have left a "legacy of excellence." He added the new RCR battle group plans to take up that torch and expand upon the ground the troops currently hold as the fighting season dies down in the weeks ahead.
"My goal is to help the Afghans create a better more secure environment, that allows development and governance to flourish," he said.
National Post
Canadian soldiers see progress in Afghanistan
CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Sun. Sep. 21 2008 8:22 AM ET
Canada's battlegroup in Afghanistan has handed over command of their operations in Afghanistan to a new group of Canadian soldiers.
The Royal Canadian Regiment, which is based in Petawawa, Ont., replaced the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on Sunday.
Lieut.-Col. Dave Corbould said he and his fellow Patricias saw increasing progress in their section of Afghanistan. He said more and more Afghanis have been cooperating with the Afghan army and police.
"That's where the progress has really been made -- their interaction with the local nationals and their credibility with the local nationals in order to be a real force in providing security," he told The Canadian Press.
The change in command by the Canadians coincides with the United Nations International Day of Peace, which is also being marked on Sunday.
Taliban leaders in Afghanistan have claimed they will observe "Peace Day." NATO's top general in Afghanistan has also ordered all international troops to halt offensive military operations. Afghanistan's leaders have said the Afghan army will also observe the occasion.
The UN launched the International Day of Peace in the early 1980s and made September 21 its permanent date in 2002.
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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!
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Petawawa battle group takes over Afghan mission
New commander says main goal is to help Afghans make country secure
Scott Deveau
Canwest News Service
Monday, September 22, 2008
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - After battling through one of the fiercest fighting seasons on record, the Canadian Forces officially handed the mission over to a new battle group during a small ceremony at Kandahar Air Field yesterday morning.
The sense of relief was tangible in the air for members of the second battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battle group based in Shilo, Man., who have been through more than most as the fighting season progressed.
The remaining few Patricias still on the ground will head home over the next two weeks as their replacements from the third battalion Royal Canadian Regiment of Petawawa take over the mission in Kandahar province.
Lt.-Col. Roger Barrett, the commanding officer of the new battle group, said the Patricias have left a "legacy of excellence." He added the new RCR battle group plans to take up that torch and expand upon the ground the troops currently hold as the fighting season dies down in the weeks ahead.
"My goal is to help the Afghans create a better, more secure environment that allows development and governance to flourish," he said.
Since the Princess Patricias arrived last February, 18 soldiers have lost their lives in combat. Half of them were killed during a rash of violence over the last month, particularly in the Taliban strongholds of Zhari and Panjwaii.
It's widely held that the Taliban-led insurgency across Afghanistan has been much more aggressive and sophisticated in terms of fighting style and weaponry this summer.
The rising number of coalition troops killed in the fighting is a testament to that.
In Kandahar, where the bulk of Canadian troops are stationed, insurgents have resorted to an asymmetrical style of fighting, including carefully orchestrated "shoot-and-scoot" ambushes, and relying on many more -- and much bigger -- improvised explosive devices, according to Lt.-Col. Dave Corbould, the outgoing battle group commander.
"I see it as almost like Nicky Nicky Nine Doors," he said. "When you're using tools like IEDs and shoot-and-scoot tactics, it means you don't have the resolve or the ability or the confidence to stay in one place and fight for a piece of ground."
The insurgents have also stepped up the number of suicide bombings in the first 20 days of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. These attacks included a twin suicide bombing two weeks ago at the police headquarters in Kandahar City that claimed the lives of two officers and injured 29 others, including eight civilians.
The rising number of civilians being caught in the crossfire, however, has more locals than ever reporting suspected Taliban hideouts and IEDs, Lt.-Col. Corbould said.
Still, the Afghan and coalition troops have failed to gain much, if any, ground this year.
In order to establish a permanent presence in places such as Zhari and Panjwaii, Brig-Gen. Denis Thompson, Canada's top soldier in Kandahar, has called for at least another battalion of Afghan National Army troops, in addition to three times as many trained Afghan police officers, and more coalition troops.
Some progress is being made on that front.
Earlier this month, the Afghan government agreed to nearly double the size of the Afghan army to 134,000 troops over the next four years, and another battalion of ANA is expected to arrive in Kandahar as early as next spring.
On Thursday, hundreds of Afghan National Police graduated from their eight-week training program, nearly doubling the number of uniformed officers in the province.
The eventual goal is to build the ANSF up so they can take over the fight themselves.
While a lot of work is still needed before ANSF can do so, the progress that has been made over the past seven months will be the Patricias' greatest accomplishment, Lt.-Col. Corbould said, comparing the training of the ANSF to a canoe trip.
"When you're in the middle of the lake, that far bank still looks a long way away ... you don't realize how far you've gone until you look back," he said.
"The ANSF of the past have been seen as a target of opportunity by the enemy, and now I think the enemy is realizing they are not so easy to hit and get away with it."
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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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I wish them all the very best for success, and to keep themselves as safe as possible. I know they will do the best that is humanly possible...God speed you 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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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Mixed emotion as Peterborough native heads off to Afghanistan
Date: 2008-09-26
By Lauren Gilchrist
As a mother, the first thought that ran through Elaine Hartwell's mind when she heard her son was being deployed to Afghanistan was fear.
"Uncertainty. Very mixed emotions," she describes.
"You want to support him for sure. He chose that career."
Behind those emotions Ms Hartwell says there is also pride.
"Every time I talk to him I make sure he knows I am very proud and I do support what he is doing, I believe in what he is doing and admire him for all his training they have gone through. No one has any idea of the training that is involved. What he has accomplished is amazing," she says.
Her son, Corporal Jon Windeyer with the 3rd Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment, is leaving for Afghanistan today (Friday).
Mr. Windeyer, 37, will spend the next six months in Afghanistan providing infantry support and security for the Afghanistan government.
While currently stationed at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa with his wife and young son, Mr. Windeyer grew up in Peterborough attending Kawartha Heights Public School and later Crestwood Secondary School. His involvement with the army first began when he was 17 years old, joining the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. At that time he says being in the reserves was something to do during his summers.
Years later, Mr. Windeyer went back to his roots in the army, joining the Royal Canadian Regiment in his 30s. "I joined knowing I could go into Afghanistan at some point," he says.
"To me, I had a young family. It was a wake up call for me that sometimes you have to step up to the plate a bit."
Mr. Windeyer says his motivation for going to Afghanistan is to "do something so that my son doesn't have to do it."
"Although there are people in need of our help in a lot of countries [NATO's} International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanastan is where we are now and I believe we owe it to the Afghan people to see it through to our fullest ability because we take for granted freedoms they do not know."
He remembers feeling a whole "gamut" of emotions, including excitement, when his number for going to Afghanistan came up.
"You get to apply your real life skills in a real scenario," he explains.
But he adds his wife is worried about his mission.
"Not a big fan of it," he says.
"She understands where I'm coming from and that I think it's the best thing. I joined knowing I would be going."
Ms Hartwell has already planned special treats for her son to take to Afghanistan. Since he loves coffee she has arranged for him to take a five-pound bag of organic coffee over to Afghanistan, compliments of Cameron's Coffee in Port Perry. Ms Hartwell says the owner of the shop and all the employees signed the bag and left messages for Jon.
"They will be sharing it in the field. Of course we will be replenishing it," she says, laughing.
Ms Hartwell says negative thoughts do drift through her mind.
"But Jon reminds me 'Mom, you only hear about the negative you don't know the positive.' There are good things that are happening because they are there."
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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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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Families say goodbye at emotional deployment
Troops off to Afghanistan
Posted By LUKE HENDRY, THE INTELLIGENCER
Posted 7 hours ago
Smiles outnumbered tears here Friday as army moms handed out prayer medals and treats to troops headed to Afghanistan.
Close to 80 soldiers, many of them from The Royal Canadian Regiment's third battalion based in CFB Petawawa, were aboard the afternoon flight out of this base. It's one of many happening this fall as the Canadian Forces rotates its 2,500 troops through Afghanistan.
Deployments can be sad affairs as families and troops say farewell.
And while the tears appeared as two large white military buses pulled up to the passenger terminal, the deployment soon became a happy event.
As they had during other recent deployments, the Belleville-based Mothers of The Royal Canadian Regiment distributed goodwill gifts to the men and women in berets and beige desert combat fatigues.
"They need to hear how proud we are of what they're doing for Canada, because we're sending them," said Belleville's Susanne Quinlan. "It's the wish of the people, no matter how you put it."
Her son, Pte. Devin Quinlan, 24, was leaving for his first Afghanistan tour.
She said an old movie showing young women standing by wartime trains giving gift boxes to soldiers inspired the mothers' reception.
That was reinforced last summer, when she was struck by the large number of families and especially children at a Petawawa event for deploying soldiers.
"We need a lot of prayers to make sure all those dads come back to their families," Quinlan said.
The mothers began obtaining the nickle-size Catholic medals representing St. Michael, the patron saint of paratroopers, and St. George, the patron saint of soldiers, and some more fun treats.
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"We have a basket we fill full of chocolate bars, gum, the medals, and yes, even cigarettes. It's what the lads want," Quinlan said.
Beaming soldiers accepted the gifts quickly.
"I was really down when I left Petawawa, and then we got here," said Cpl. Katrina Blagdon, a supply technician from West Arichat in Cape Breton, N. S.
"For some reason I feel that much more confident," Blagdon said.
"It makes you feel really good," agreed Cpl. Jody Hearn, a mechanic from St. Mary's, Nfld.
One soldier laughed as he said some troops were so happy to be getting gifts that even those who didn't smoke accepted cigarettes. The mothers, joined by members of the 1st Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle units and others, also held a barbecue for those in uniform.
"It's awesome," said Cpl. Katie Hodges of London, Ont. "Everyone's been phenomenal."
"It's an amazing feeling," said Cpl. Roy Campbell of New Glasgow, N. S.
"We're going over there to help change a country, and we have all the support in our country."
Master Cpl. Karl Lawson, who was born in Jamaica but now calls Montreal home, smiled when told of the prayer medals.
"Nice. I could use one of those -- definitely," he said.
"In Tweed we had a huge reception," he said. "I had a chance to talk to some of the kids. It made me very happy to see that.
"It was almost overwhelming, like, 'Wow.' We're not expecting it at all. Incredible.
"We've all just left our families. We're kind of glum. Then we drive into Tweed and here as well, and people are welcoming us.
"It lifts our spirits for sure," Lawson said.
This is Lawson's second tour of Afghanistan. He said it seems there is now "more exposure, more activities in the communities" for soldiers than before his last tour.
Quinlan said the mothers didn't mind granting a few of the soldiers' wishes for parting gifts, but still denied a few.
"They also wanted chewing tobacco but we said no," she said, laughing. "You get cancer a lot quicker with that crap.
"And no girly magazines," she added, still laughing. "That was the other thing they wanted. They were just joking with me."
She said the mothers are even writing to the manufacturer of a popular kind of nicotine gum, since nighttime smoking is a security risk on the battlefield and the gum may even help a few soldiers quit the habit.
The moms now want Canadians' help for their next mission: a prayer chain.
"We want them to say a prayer at the beginning of the day, or a prayer at a meeting, or kind words, if the word 'prayer' offends you.
"We know churches are saying prayers for the soldiers; (we're asking) if they can just take it into their everyday lives."
Karen Bushell of Guelph was
there with her family to greet her son, Pte. Jeremy Hillson, 24, as he left for his first Afghanistan tour.
"We're a very close family," Bushell said. "Christmas is not going to be easy this year. But I'm very proud of him.
"Jeremy and I have done a lot of talking about everything that could possibly happen," she said before handing out prayer cards and medals.
"I just want them to know there's a lot of support and that we're thinking of every one of them, and looking forward to them coming home.
"It helps me to deal with him going away," said Bushell. "You feel closer to the other families. You're not alone.
"I know there's a lot of Canadians that don't believe in war. But like any other war, there are reasons behind it. We have to support the guys."
Article ID# 1221905
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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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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
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Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Taliban attack injures two Canadian soldiers
Colonel Jaime Cade speaks in Kandahar on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008.
CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Sun. Sep. 28 2008 7:58 AM ET
An attack by Taliban insurgents on a combat outpost has wounded two Canadian soldiers -- one seriously -- in Afghanistan.
The attack, which took place in the Panjwai district about 30 kilometres west of Kandahar city on Saturday, "started with small arms fire, followed by rocket-propelled grenade fire," said Col. Jamie Cade, deputy commander of Canada's forces in Afghanistan.
"Shrapnel from the rocket-propelled grenades injured the soldiers."
The soldiers names will not be made public, but the military said that one of the soldiers has been released from medical care. However, the other injured soldier remains in serious but stable condition.
Cade said the attack on the outpost doesn't mark a change in Taliban tactics.
"It's pretty much a standard tactic that we've been encountering," he said.
"It's not something we would consider worrisome ... It's something we've dealt with many times before and will continue to deal with."
About 4,500 people have been killed in insurgent-related attacks in Afghanistan this year. Most of those killed were militants, but hundreds of civilians have also died. Almost 100 Canadians have died in the country since 2002.
With files from The Canadian Press
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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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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Families say goodbye at emotional deployment
Posted By Luke Hendry - Osprey News Network
Posted 21 hours ago
Smiles outnumbered tears here Friday as army moms handed out prayer medals and treats to troops headed to Afghanistan.
Close to 80 soldiers, many of them from The Royal Canadian Regiment's third battalion based in CFB Petawawa, were aboard the afternoon flight out of this base. It's one of many happening this fall as the Canadian Forces rotates its 2,500 troops through Afghanistan.
Deployments can be sad affairs as families and troops say farewell.
And while the tears appeared as two large white military buses pulled up to the passenger terminal, the deployment soon became a happy event.
As they had during other recent deployments, the Belleville-based Mothers of The Royal Canadian Regiment distributed goodwill gifts to the men and women in berets and beige desert combat fatigues.
"They need to hear how proud we are of what they're doing for Canada, because we're sending them," said Belleville's Susanne Quinlan. "It's the wish of the people, no matter how you put it."
Her son, Pte. Devin Quinlan, 24, was leaving for his first Afghanistan tour.
She said an old movie showing young women standing by wartime trains giving gift boxes to soldiers inspired the mothers' reception.
That was reinforced last summer, when she was struck by the large number of families and especially children at a Petawawa event for deploying soldiers.
"We need a lot of prayers to make sure all those dads come back to their families," Quinlan said.
Continued from page 1
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The mothers began obtaining the nickle-size Catholic medals representing St. Michael, the patron saint of paratroopers, and St. George, the patron saint of soldiers, and some more fun treats.
"We have a basket we fill full of chocolate bars, gum, the medals, and yes, even cigarettes. It's what the lads want," Quinlan said.
Beaming soldiers accepted the gifts quickly.
"I was really down when I left Petawawa, and then we got here," said Cpl. Katrina Blagdon, a supply technician from West Arichat in Cape Breton, N. S.
"For some reason I feel that much more confident," Blagdon said.
"It makes you feel really good," agreed Cpl. Jody Hearn, a mechanic from St. Mary's, Nfld.
One soldier laughed as he said some troops were so happy to be getting gifts that even those who didn't smoke accepted cigarettes. The mothers, joined by members of the 1st Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle units and others, also held a barbecue for those in uniform.
"It's awesome," said Cpl. Katie Hodges of London, Ont. "Everyone's been phenomenal."
"It's an amazing feeling," said Cpl. Roy Campbell of New Glasgow, N. S.
"We're going over there to help change a country, and we have all the support in our country."
Master Cpl. Karl Lawson, who was born in Jamaica but now calls Montreal home, smiled when told of the prayer medals.
"Nice. I could use one of those -- definitely," he said.
"In Tweed we had a huge reception," he said. "I had a chance to talk to some of the kids. It made me very happy to see that.
"It was almost overwhelming, like, 'Wow.' We're not expecting it at all. Incredible.
"We've all just left our families. We're kind of glum. Then we drive into Tweed and here as well, and people are welcoming us.
"It lifts our spirits for sure," Lawson said.
This is Lawson's second tour of Afghanistan. He said it seems there is now "more exposure, more activities in the communities" for soldiers than before his last tour.
Quinlan said the mothers didn't mind granting a few of the soldiers' wishes for parting gifts, but still denied a few.
"They also wanted chewing tobacco but we said no," she said, laughing. "You get cancer a lot quicker with that crap.
"And no girly magazines," she added, still laughing. "That was the other thing they wanted. They were just joking with me."
She said the mothers are even writing to the manufacturer of a popular kind of nicotine gum, since nighttime smoking is a security risk on the battlefield and the gum may even help a few soldiers quit the habit.
The moms now want Canadians' help for their next mission: a prayer chain.
"We want them to say a prayer at the beginning of the day, or a prayer at a meeting, or kind words, if the word 'prayer' offends you.
"We know churches are saying prayers for the soldiers; (we're asking) if they can just take it into their everyday lives."
Karen Bushell of Guelph was there with her family to greet her son, Pte. Jeremy Hillson, 24, as he left for his first Afghanistan tour.
"We're a very close family," Bushell said. "Christmas is not going to be easy this year. But I'm very proud of him.
"Jeremy and I have done a lot of talking about everything that could possibly happen," she said before handing out prayer cards and medals.
"I just want them to know there's a lot of support and that we're thinking of every one of them, and looking forward to them coming home.
"It helps me to deal with him going away," said Bushell. "You feel closer to the other families. You're not alone.
"I know there's a lot of Canadians that don't believe in war. But like any other war, there are reasons behind it. We have to support the guys."
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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
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Wow, really nice to see.. they help each other and the country..the sacrifice that all families are making is tremendous..i hope the country will always remember, all of this sacrifice..ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Kandahar troops to get Passchendaele screening
Canadian Press
October 1, 2008 at 3:19 AM EDT
Ottawa — Canadian troops in Afghanistan are receiving a special advance screening of Paul Gross's epic First World War film Passchendaele.
Gross - who wrote, starred in and directed the tale of love and valour - said soldiers stationed in Kandahar will be among the first Canadians to see his film on Friday.
"It has taken an uncommonly long time to bring this movie to the big screen but we are finally able to present it to the Canadian public and in some small way pay homage to the sacrifice of our forefathers in the Great War of 1914-1918," Gross said in a release.
"It seems fitting that the troops who today so valiantly serve our country are among the first to see it."
Gross made the comments while he and co-stars Caroline Dhavernas, Joe Dinicol and Meredith Bailey hosted a special screening in Ottawa on Monday for dignitaries including Governor-General Michaëlle Jean and various military brass.
Passchendaele is out in theatres on Oct. 17.
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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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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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Top U.S. general says more troops needed in Afghanistan
Associated Press
October 1, 2008 at 12:24 PM EDT
WASHINGTON — The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday that he needs more troops and other aid “as quickly as possible” in a counterinsurgency battle that could get worse before it gets better.
General David McKiernan said it will take more than adding troops to stabilize Afghanistan — including efforts to strengthen the Afghan government, improve the economy and build its military and police forces.
Speaking to Pentagon reporters, the head of NATO forces in Afghanistan said there has been a significant increase in foreign fighters coming in from neighbouring Pakistan this year — including Chechens, Uzbeks, Saudis and Europeans. And he said he needs the more than 10,000 additional forces he has requested, in part, to increase his military campaigns in the south and east where violence has escalated.
“The additional military capabilities that have been asked for are needed as quickly as possible,” he said, adding that he is hoping to get units that will be able to both fight the insurgents and serve as trainers for the Afghan Army and police.
Gen. McKiernan, who is scheduled to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush late Wednesday, said he was encouraged by recent Pakistani military operations against insurgents waging cross-border attacks into Afghanistan. But he also said that it is too soon to tell how effective they have been.
He also endorsed the recent suggestion by Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak to try to create a joint force of Afghan, Pakistani and U.S. forces to secure what is a porous, mountainous, ungoverned border region.
“I think in the future I would certainly support the idea of combined patrolling along that border,” said Gen. McKiernan. If it's handled the right way, he said he believes the Pakistanis would go along with the plan.
“There are mutual border security concerns that both the Afghans and the Pakistanis have,” he said. “So the more we can work together to approach those concerns, the better off we all are.”
Officials have said that violence in Afghanistan is up about 30 per cent this year compared with 2007. The Taliban and associated militant groups like the terrorist network al-Qaeda have steadily stepped up attacks in the last several years and more U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan already this year than in any year since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion.
“We're in a very tough fight,” Gen. McKiernan said. “The idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility.”
Defence Secretary Robert Gates said last week that he may be able to send thousands more combat troops to Afghanistan starting next spring. Gen. McKiernan said he expects that some of his more urgent needs for additional helicopters and surveillance capabilities will be met in the next few months.
The general's assessment coincides with a fresh report on the situation by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who expressed dismay that attacks against aid workers have increased in 2008.
A report released by his office Tuesday said that at least 30 aid workers have been killed and 92 abducted so far this year. At least 22 World Food Program convoys have been attacked, as have 59 schools.
“Regardless of the progress made in certain areas, my overall impression is that the situation in the country has deteriorated over the past six months,” Mr. Ban said in the report. “Nevertheless, I strongly believe that the negative trend can be reversed.”
Saying that security has “deteriorated markedly,” the report noted that the number of UN-recorded security-related incidents rose to 983 in August — the highest monthly total since the Taliban's ouster in late 2001. The report did not define a security incident, but typically it refers to bombings, shootings and other violent acts.
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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!
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Its like a dang broken record.. its a good thing record players are being made again huh??? ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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In Afghanistan, waging battles of attrition
By Drew Brown, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, October 3, 2008
ZHARI DISTRICT, Afghanistan — The first firefight erupted to the south, hitting a Canadian patrol somewhere along the Arghandab River.
Then a few scattered shots hit a group of Canadian and U.S. soldiers on patrol with Afghan police about 300 meters away.
The third attack occurred when Taliban gunmen opened fire on two dozen Afghans and Canadian soldiers with Operational Mentor Liaison Team 73 Alpha.
As far as security incidents go in Afghanistan, the firefights were fairly unremarkable. No coalition soldiers or Afghan troops were killed or wounded, and it was unclear how many, if any, Taliban fighters were hit.
But the three engagements were typical of the daily skirmishes that Canadian troops, along with a handful of Americans, are fighting alongside Afghan troops here in Zhari district, about 25 kilometers west of Kandahar city.
Taking place in the heartland of the fundamentalist Taliban movement, they are short, sharp, chaotic affairs and often inconclusive.
Yet the gunbattles illustrate the kind of grinding attrition that the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and the Taliban are waging against each other in southern Afghanistan, where frequent combat appears to be less about taking and holding territory than it is about weakening the other side’s will to fight.
"What the Taliban is trying to achieve is for us to leave the outposts," said Maj. Rob McBride, commander of November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. "It would be a victory for them if we were to close them down. On the flip side of that, the message from us is that we’re here to stay, and we’re not going to leave just because you’re shooting at us every day."
Canada was one of the first countries to send troops to Afghanistan after the 2001 terrorist attacks, and its forces have been responsible for security in Kandahar province since 2005. Canada has about 2,500 soldiers serving in Afghanistan. The soldiers serving in Zhari district are spread between a firebase and a number of smaller outposts.
The outposts are manned by teams of Canadian troops who serve as advisers and mentors to Afghan army and police units. They receive fire almost daily.
The fighting that occurred near Pashmul was among a number of incidents in Zhari district that day, enough, that "I lost count," McBride said.
Canada has lost 97 soldiers since the war began nearly seven years ago. Twenty-three of its soldiers have been killed so far this year.
Insurgent attacks across Afghanistan have risen sharply in the last three years, as the Taliban and other groups have become more organized and sophisticated in their tactics. At least 236 foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan this year, the highest annual number since the war began seven years ago.
Kandahar province has suffered some of the more recent high-profile incidents. A prison break outside the provincial capital in June freed hundreds of jailed Taliban fighters. In early September, two suicide bombers struck inside a police headquarters, killing two people and wounding nearly 40. And Taliban gunmen assassinated the city’s top female police officer just last week.
"Certainly, this is one of the most violent summers we’ve encountered," Col. Jamie Cade, deputy commander for the Canada-led Task Force Kandahar, said in a recent interview. "But again, part of that is because we are imposing ourselves on the insurgents, going into areas and taking control of areas that they want."
In August, soldiers with the U.S. 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment moved into Maiwand district, an area that ISAF has identified as an important logistics hub for Taliban fighters moving between Kandahar province and neighboring Helmand, where some of the worst fighting has occurred.
Coalition strategy in southern Afghanistan is based on building up the Afghan army and police and slowly expanding their presence into areas held by the Taliban. For now, the strategy means that coalition and Afghan government forces control the roads. But out in the countryside, the Taliban still hold sway.
In Zhari district, the fear the Taliban inspire among locals was evident when a platoon of November Company soldiers patrolled last Sunday through the village of Haji Makhadem, just a few hundred meters off the main highway.
The purpose was to ask village elders why they were not attending weekly meetings with other local leaders at the district center.
Troops encountered the village chieftain walking along an irrigation ditch. The old man expressed concern about Taliban spies in the village, but he still agreed to talk for a while with Lt. Jeff Lloyd, the officer in charge.
The old man said he’d been to the district center, but was noncommittal about attending any of the councils there. He also expressed worry about the presence of foreign troops in the village.
"Now it is safe," he said.""But if you come here too many times, then the Taliban will come and they will make war in this village. They will put [bombs] here, and then you will fire your artillery."
Lloyd said that the intent of Canadian forces was to help the village.
"If you guys help us, then the Taliban will come," the old man said.
After 20 minutes of seesawing discussion, the old man said he was grateful that foreign troops had come to Afghanistan, but it was still evident that he wanted little to do with them. He ended with a plea for the soldiers not to bomb the village.
"Hopefully, we can keep the Taliban out, and we won’t have to do that," Lloyd said. "Hopefully, one day the Afghan government will be strong and we won’t have to patrol here anymore."
Things went only marginally better in the nearby village of Feyzollahkhan. The elder there told Lloyd they were all refugees from a place further south that had been destroyed by fighting. Since they were only refugees, it was not their place to attend the weekly meetings on the village’s behalf, he said. It was unclear where the other inhabitants had gone.
Still, the old man said he was glad for the soldiers’ visit and welcomed them back again.
"We want your help," he said. "But secretly, because we are afraid to be seen by [the Taliban]."
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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
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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