EvanL
06-23-2005, 03:09 PM
By KRISTEN VERNON, EDMONTON SUN
The International Red Cross compound in downtown Kandahar has come under rocket attack, and Canadian soldiers are called to evacuate three international workers.
Passions rise as local workers, clamouring for medical help for one of their own injured in the attack, hoist his limp body onto the hood of a Canadian jeep and bang frantically on the windows.
That was one scenario staged yesterday at the Edmonton Garrison as soldiers entered the final phase of training ahead of their deployment to Kandahar province, Afghanistan, next month.
Soldiers mainly from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group will be part of a 250-strong provincial reconstruction team that also includes members from Canadian International Development Agency, Foreign Affairs Canada, the RCMP and non-governmental organizations.
'READY FOR THIS MISSION'
Working on behalf of the government of Afghanistan, the Canadian soldiers' focus is "security sector reform," said Col. Steve Bowes, the military commander for the provincial reconstruction team.
They will work with coalition forces to extend the authority of the Afghan government, meet with local leaders to determine the community's most pressing needs, escort other members of the team and provide security leading up to the Afghan parliamentary election on Sept. 18, Bowes said.
He said Canada's objective is to prevent Afghanistan from relapsing into a failed state.
This will be the first overseas tour for a lot of the soldiers, but section commanders and leaders have been to Kandahar before, Bowes said.
There's an active insurgency in the region, he said.
When asked about concerns for the safety of the soldiers, Bowes said they are well-trained.
"They are ready for this mission," he said. "They don't take a back seat to any soldiers in NATO. Tragedy can strike anywhere, but right now they have a mission focus."
Operation Archer will be Sgt. Joe Brink's second tour to Afghanistan and fourth overseas.
"Basically, we're preparing for any situation that we could run into. The guys are doing a really good job," he said. "I think we're well prepared to deploy."
Brink, who has been at the Edmonton Garrison for 10 years and is with the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, counts on strong family support.
"My wife is very used to me deploying. This is going to be our fourth deployment. She has all her family here and the family support we've been getting on past tours has been really good."
The International Red Cross compound in downtown Kandahar has come under rocket attack, and Canadian soldiers are called to evacuate three international workers.
Passions rise as local workers, clamouring for medical help for one of their own injured in the attack, hoist his limp body onto the hood of a Canadian jeep and bang frantically on the windows.
That was one scenario staged yesterday at the Edmonton Garrison as soldiers entered the final phase of training ahead of their deployment to Kandahar province, Afghanistan, next month.
Soldiers mainly from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group will be part of a 250-strong provincial reconstruction team that also includes members from Canadian International Development Agency, Foreign Affairs Canada, the RCMP and non-governmental organizations.
'READY FOR THIS MISSION'
Working on behalf of the government of Afghanistan, the Canadian soldiers' focus is "security sector reform," said Col. Steve Bowes, the military commander for the provincial reconstruction team.
They will work with coalition forces to extend the authority of the Afghan government, meet with local leaders to determine the community's most pressing needs, escort other members of the team and provide security leading up to the Afghan parliamentary election on Sept. 18, Bowes said.
He said Canada's objective is to prevent Afghanistan from relapsing into a failed state.
This will be the first overseas tour for a lot of the soldiers, but section commanders and leaders have been to Kandahar before, Bowes said.
There's an active insurgency in the region, he said.
When asked about concerns for the safety of the soldiers, Bowes said they are well-trained.
"They are ready for this mission," he said. "They don't take a back seat to any soldiers in NATO. Tragedy can strike anywhere, but right now they have a mission focus."
Operation Archer will be Sgt. Joe Brink's second tour to Afghanistan and fourth overseas.
"Basically, we're preparing for any situation that we could run into. The guys are doing a really good job," he said. "I think we're well prepared to deploy."
Brink, who has been at the Edmonton Garrison for 10 years and is with the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, counts on strong family support.
"My wife is very used to me deploying. This is going to be our fourth deployment. She has all her family here and the family support we've been getting on past tours has been really good."