Posted on 07/23/2004 8:48:08 PM PDT by Clive
EDMONTON (CP) - Soldiers from the military unit that was mistakenly attacked in Afghanistan by a U.S. fighter jet in 2002 are heading back to the mountainous Middle Eastern country for another tour of duty.
About 40 troops from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry will be part of a task force that will start leaving Monday for the Afghan capital of Kabul.
"There is at least one individual who was on Operation Apollo, the original deployment to Afghanistan, who is going back," said Brian Hillier, a civilian public affairs officer with Land Force Western Area headquarters in Edmonton.
"Most likely several. We don't have the exact figures," he said Friday.
Military officials would not confirm whether any of the troops who are returning took part in the night training exercise near Kandahar that was bombed by an F-16 pilot, killing four Canadians and wounding eight others.
Altogether, 600 troops from across Western Canada were busy packing and spending time with loved ones as they prepared to replace a battalion from the Quebec-based Royal 22nd Regiment.
The task force of light armour, infantry and other troops is to provide reconnaissance support in Kabul and help the U.S. military train the Afghan national army.
All of the troops have been screened by the military to make sure they are physically and mentally prepared for the deployment, said Lt.-Col. Chuck Lamarre, commander of the task force's support element.
"Every one of us goes through an interview with a social worker," said Lamarre, who noted the morale of the troops is high.
"Questionnaires are there to root out folks who might have difficulties based on either previous experience, personal problems, anything of that sort."
The task force includes troops from Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), 1 PPCLI, 2 PPCLI, 3 PPCLI, 1 Combat Engineers, 1 Service Battalion and other support troops.
All the troops in the task force are to be in Kabul by Aug. 11.
Lamarre said the soldiers are well trained and have been brought up to date on the political and military situation in the region.
Most of them will be used to patrol in and around Kabul.
"They are going to be looking, essentially, for bad guys," he said. "For the al-Qaida folks and anybody who might be trying to undermine the Afghan transitional authority."
Afghanistan is planning to hold elections this fall.
Its president, Hamid Karzai, has warned the country remains endangered by the security headaches of terrorism, private militias and the narcotics trade.
The new Canadian deployment to Kabul will be smaller than previous missions to Afghanistan as the military tries to give the soldiers a bit of a break.
Earlier this year Canada had as many as 2,300 infantry and mechanized soldiers in the region.
Senior Canadian military leaders have said they expect troops will continue to serve in Afghanistan "for years" to come.
Interesting... I look forward to developing news. I could fill volumes of opinion comments, but I will save, until I see the commitment process.
There is not one story about the "Canadian Military" that does not cease to impress me.
About the lack of military that is.
Social worker interviews? Each one?
I think we're doing alright considering how the libs have decimated our military and the fact that many would have you believe we are doing nothing with respect to the WOT. A little inside info for y'all, many Canadians (predominantly Conservative Canadians) wish we could do more.
Canadian troops have been there for some time.
This is a rotation. The Patricias (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) are replacing the VanDoos (Le Royal 22e Régiment) who are rotating home following their deployment which was a replacement for the RCRs (Royal Canadian Regiment)
(VanDoos comes from how 22ieme sounds to English Canadian ears.)
The Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadian) is a cavalry unit, mounted as Coyote recce squadrons, who have accompanied other infantry deployments and have also worked with the 101st in Afghanistan and with Brit and US units in Kosovo.
What don't you understand?
He's one of the jokers that takes a shot at Canada whenever he can.
Gentle Canadians, please stay home. Deploying whats left of your military is an embarrassment to the great power you once were. To engage the few good men you have left for a cause you have no real commitment to is, at best, dishonest. Thanks, but no thanks.....
You're talking gibberish. Our Commandos, Light infantry and pilots are the finest in the world. We are totally committed to the conflict in Afghanistan. I'm never pleased to see silly libeling of the Canadian military. Especially among people who should know better.
They are among the finest, I'll give you that much. And their contributions are appreciated. Special operations people are some of the most important for AFghanistan, especially now that they have their own military to handle mundane stuff.
Forgive me. *Among* the finest is much more accurate.
My understanding is that Canada is opposed to being involved in combatting world terrorism and that your PM is out of touch with this immense issue. Correct me if I am wrong. But there is a 'sense' that Canada has essentially no military, relies on US funded NORAD to protwect the Northern Hemisphere, and that Canada has the same combat ready forces as the French. White Flags.
Deeds and commitment. The Aussies,British, and Americans would whip your buttes in a nanosecond. Parlez-vous Francais? Stay home and cuddle up to your socialism, and let the United States continue to protect you. Now that's the ticket! Another free ride for a Marxist-thinking country. Bye!
On a GNP percentage basis spent on the Canadian military, Canada sucks. Canadians freeload on the American taxpayer for defense.
I don't expect Canada to have what the US has in total militarily. I expect the same percentage effort. That does not happen anymore.
Poland puts out a better effort.
And what is up with that sky high unemployment rate? And the health care system that reduces costs by forming a waiting list in many cases? When are the majority of Canadians going to say "we ought to be doing better than the USA in unemployment and prompt, state of the art health care?
Canada is useful to the USA in one regard: HillaryCare scared people mostly because it conjured up images of Canadian styled waits for some medical services.
And that gun registry billion dollar hole that money is poured down? That is one of the world record holders on cost overruns. Just how can they have spent that much for so little to show for it? It is mindboggleing.
Canada should have a higher GDP than America. The unrealized potential is incredible. Of course, Argentina is worse though. It is the worlds leading underperformer in average intellect vs output. Yes, there are such tables.
The Canadian Forces have been done good work in Afghanistan and the Arabian Sea. This thread is not about health care, socialism, or the sorriness of the Martin regime.
Edmonton - The Third Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI) Battle Group received the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation on December 8, 2003.
More than 900 soldiers from across Canada served with the battle group which operated in Afghanistan from February 4 to July 30, 2002.
They conducted operation against an elusive enemy under the most extreme weather conditions.
Also at the ceremony, thirty U.S. Bronze Stars were presented to members of the battle group.
"On a GNP percentage basis spent on the Canadian military, Canada sucks."
I agree, thanks to the libs.
"Canadians freeload on the American taxpayer for defense."
This comment is such a mistruth, or myth if you will. I'm tired of responding to it to be honest. I can't believe the number of people who believe this. IMO, it's similar to how the followers of the libs here believe the military is unimportant. Where are the American assets guarding the Canadian border? Seriously
"My understanding is that Canada is opposed to being involved in combatting world terrorism"
As a whole, no. There may be some elements. However, we do support the WOT. It's the war in Iraq element that many here have an issue with.
"and that your PM is out of touch with this immense issue."
Very true ... along with the liberal party as a whole.
"Correct me if I am wrong. But there is a 'sense' that Canada has essentially no military"
This isn't quite true, yet. Get back to me if the libs remail in power.
"relies on US funded NORAD to protwect the Northern Hemisphere,"
We put in our share of funding and support to NORAD.
"and that Canada has the same combat ready forces as the French. White Flags."
Tell me you can do better than that.
Deeds and commitments? Like one hundred years of constant, unbroken military victory and glory? If you don't respect our military tradition, who's do you respect? Further, why would our closest allies want to whip our "buttes"? Did we "stay home" in Afghanistan? The first gulf war?
You know what? I don't care. You're a clearly a historical and political iliterate. I hope you find someone dumb enough to converse with you.
Awe-inspiring. Another fifty years and the Pats are going to have to add another ring to their emblem.:)
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