Canadian Soldier Injured In Axe Attack In Afghanistan

A Canadian soldier in Afghanistan is in critical but stable condition after being attacked by a man wielding an axe during a meeting with tribal elders today.

The reservist soldier, Lieutenant Trevor Greene, of Vancouver was initially taken to the Canadian-led multinational hospital at Kandahar airfield where he underwent treatment for head wounds. He will now be airlifted to the U.S. medical facility in Landstuhl, Germany, said CTV's Steve Chao, in Kandahar.

Early reports suggested Greene was injured in a firefight with insurgents. It was later learned that Greene was attacked during a sit-down meeting with tribal elders when a man struck him in the back of the neck with an axe.

"He was surrounded by many local tribesmen as well as Canadian soldiers," Chao told CTV Newsnet. "However as the meeting began, we understand, a man with an axe came out and attacked him. Immediately following there was chaos, Canadian soldiers opened fire, we understand, after some grenades were lobbed by some other attackers.

"The initial attacker with the axe was killed on the spot, however the other one appeared to have perhaps gotten away," Chao said.

The attack happened in Gumbad, about 70 kilometres north of Kandahar City, today.

"At this moment Lt. Trevor Greene is in hospital here at the Kandahar Airfield Base. He is critical condition, in rough shape. He was unconscious the last time we checked."

This is not the first time Greene has suffered an injury. He was hurt earlier when a convoy he was traveling with was hit by a roadside bomb, however Greene returned to duty after that attack.

Greene, who serves with the Vancouver based Seaforth Highlanders infantry unit, is also a journalist and published author.

Earlier, Chao said the Gumbad area has been the scene of many attacks on U.S. troops in recent months. It is known for its narrow, twisting roads that provide prime spots for insurgents to mount ambush attacks, making troops feel like "sitting ducks," he said.

"This area of Gumbad is well known not only to soldiers but to many people in Kandahar. It is a hotbed of insurgent activity," Chao said.

Military commanders have stressed that Canadian troops in Afghanistan will face danger and death to accomplish their purpose.

"The Canadians have been up there trying to push out the Taliban," Chao said. "From the start the Canadian commander said as soon as they took over command, which happened this week, they would begin to push out, make their presence known throughout the province of Kandahar so the Taliban could be pushed out of the area."

It has been a difficult week for Canadian troops. On Friday a suicide bomber drove his vehicle into the side of an armoured vehicle and detonated his explosives, injuring five Canadian soldiers -- one seriously.

Master Cpl. Michael Loewen, who suffered the most serious injuries in the Friday attack, will require major reconstructive surgery to save his arm, a surgeon told The Canadian Press. Loewen was taken to the U.S. combat casualty hospital at Landstuhl, Germany Friday night.

The Friday attack came as coalition forces were mourning the death of Canadian Cpl. Paul Davis, who died Thursday when his armoured vehicle rolled over.

In total, two Canadians have died and about 20 have been injured in Afghanistan this year, as the Canadian presence in Afghanistan increased to about 2,200 troops.

"It was later learned that Greene was attacked during a sit-down meeting with tribal elders when a man struck him in the back of the neck with an axe."

In multiple posts to this ping list I keep writing to say that the " Peace Corps" image and approach foisted on Canadian Soldiers will only get them killed.

To the Talibanis and many non-Talibanis, Canadians are infidel pigs who deserve to die the death of an animal. Green could have been slaughtered with his throat slit, hung up to bleed out like a pig. He was lucky, may God bless him and help him in his time of trial.

I wish the MoD of Canada would leave General Fraser alone to run a standard anti-guerrilla operation and intelligence gathering operation so that Canadian soldiers do not have to be slaughtered piecemeal.

Sadly , if the approach does not change, Harper will come under pressure from the Wing Nut Canadian Liberals to withdraw CFOR from Afghanistan

Put the Van Dooz over in Kandhahar and let them get beheaded from behind, one by one. Let the Scots ( Princess Pats) fight or bring them home!

Yeah , just trying to get along with your guys.

"U.S. Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Freakley, the coalition operational commander who asked contributing countries to lower their flags, said the international community
needs to build institutions like the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Raising the Afghan flag as frequently as possible can only help the effort.

"We're trying to make subtle transitional moves to help the people of Afghanistan fend for themselves," he said.

Freakley said some U.S.-run compounds hosting international troops fly a dozen flags from various coalition countries.

He said the U.S. has a tradition of flying only one flag at military installations.

Contributing nations will understand, according to Freakley. "In no way is it intended to suppress any nationalistic pride, commitment or investment in the nation of
Afghanistan," he said."

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/02/28/1466567-cp.html

Saw this on a thread yesterday and copied it. It is still really good advice for those serving Afghanistan.

The Young British Soldier

When the 'arf-made recruity goes out to the East, 'E acts like a babe an' 'e drinks like a beast, An' 'e wonders because 'e is frequent deceased, Ere 'e's fit for to serve as a soldier.

Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, So-oldier _of_ the Queen!

Now all you recruities what's drafted to-day, You shut up your rag-box an' 'ark to my lay, An' I'll sing you a soldier as far as I may: A soldier what's fit for a soldier.

Fit, fit, fit for a soldier . . .

First mind you steer clear o' the grog-sellers' huts, For they sell you Fixed Bay'nets that rots out your guts -- Ay, drink that 'ud eat the live steel from your butts --An' it's bad for the young British soldier.

Bad, bad, bad for the soldier . . .

When the cholera comes -- as it will past a doubt -- Keep out of the wet and don't go on the shout, For the sickness gets in as the liquor dies out, A' it crumples the young British soldier.

Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier . . .

But the worst o' your foes is the sun over'ead: You must wear your 'elmet for all that is said: If 'e finds you uncovered 'e'll knock you down dead, An' you'll die like a fool of a soldier.

Fool, fool, fool of a soldier . . .

If you're cast for fatigue by a sergeant unkind, Don't grouse like a woman nor crack on nor blind; Be handy and civil, and then you will find That it's beer for the young British soldier.

Beer, beer, beer for the soldier . . .

Now, if you must marry, take care she is old -- A troop-sergeant's widow's the nicest I'm told, For beauty won't help if your rations is cold, Nor love ain't enough for a soldier.

'Nough, 'nough, 'nough for a soldier . . .

If the wife should go wrong with a comrade, be loath To shoot when you catch 'em -- you'll swing, on my oath! -- Make 'im take 'er and keep 'er: that's Hell for them both, An' you're shut o' the curse of a soldier.

Curse, curse, curse of a soldier . . .

When first under fire an' you're wishful to duck, Don't look nor take 'eed at the man that is struck, Be thankful you're livin', and trust to your luck And march to your front like a soldier.

Front, front, front like a soldier . . .

When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

Fight, fight, fight for the soldier . . .

When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

Start-, start-, startles the soldier . . .

If your officer's dead and the sergeants look white, Remember it's ruin to run from a fight: So take open order, lie down, and sit tight, And wait for supports like a soldier.

Wait, wait, wait like a soldier . . .

When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.

Go, go, go like a soldier, Go, go, go like a soldier, Go, go, go like a soldier, So-oldier _of_ the Queen!

-- Rudyard Kipling

"As a matter of fact, I actually quite enjoy walking around and insulting all kinds of religious people for no particular reason. It is highly amusing to watch them get all bent out of after someone teases them about their personal beliefs. Great fun, don't you think?"

Clearly you missed my point. You indicate that the cartoonists are responsible for the mindless destruction carried out by Muslims. Censorship is clearly your answer, as was Hitler's. Great fun, don't you think?

Since you are sticking to an "author" like Michael Moore, I won't even bother stooping to politics at your level.

I think you may be missing my point. If you are trying to draw a correlation between axe-wielding Muslims and the display of the Candian flag, then I am happy you have no real place in leadership (or politics in general).

Removing the US or Canadian flag changes nothing, except for yielding to the PC nonsense that may ultimately lead to frustration and morale issues among military personnel.

I digress, however. Let's just give the raging Muslims whatever they want. Afterall, such appeasing moves prevent them from destroying property and senselessly murdering people, now don't they?

But don't allow the concept of critical thought to get in your way. Now, hurry up and get back to reading Michael Moore in your ivory tower, my sanctimonious friend. Does he include a chapter on how much money he makes off of suckers?

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