Preparing for Op Medusa

Maj (since promoted to LCol) Mark Gasparotto

(excerpt from the 23 Field Squadron book CLEARING THEWAY: Combat Engineers in Kandahar  - Available at Amazon.ca)

Knowing that my soldiers would soon be scattered all over the province in support of the various and far-flung elements of the Battle Group, I gathered them all together and told them this:

This is likely the last chance that I will get to address the Squadron as a whole. As such, I wanted to pass on some insights into this place and the mission but also to articulate what I see as our keys to success.

 From the beginning of our training, I’ve tried to put you in the mindset that we would be fighting a war. I’ve been here just under two weeks now; with four ramp ceremonies, incoming mortar fire and three rocket attacks later, make no mistake, we are very much in harm’s way.

A fight is shaping up west of the city in the near future. So we can’t waste any time preparing for that eventuality – equipment and vehicle preparations and becoming familiar with the area of operations. In the chaos and fog of war, it will be a section commander’s fight. So get yourself ready.

 Keys to our success defined:

This will be a marathon. We may have to sprint now and again but it will be a six-month grind. Therefore, sustainability is paramount. So prepare yourself mentally for the long haul.

Flexibility of mind, body and spirit will be essential.

Take your job seriously, never yourself. Sense of humour is a must.

Do not rush unless ordered to. Most things can wait until tomorrow. So if you have to abort a combat patrol because of external or internal circumstances then do so.

A vehicle recovery, IED strike or casualty will become the mission at the expense of the original one. So plan accordingly. Remember the enemy has a vote and wants to kill you.

Foster a bullet-proof mind – never talk yourself out of the fight. In LCol Dave Grossman’s3 words, “no pity party, no macho man and avoid a state of denial.” Do not feel sorry for yourself and seek help if required. Soldiers experience fear and I’ve seen many weep for their fallen comrades. It is not to be ashamed of. Some of us will undoubtedly see and/or experience terrible things. We will get through it together. As such, anyone involved in a critical incident will talk to the mental health folks as soon as practicable.

 I’ll sum up with the orders that General Hillier had passed on to us in Trenton.

 “Take care of yourself and take care of each other.”

 I have every confidence in each and every one of you to be professional and honourable soldiers. Chimo4.

By mid-August, the planning for Op Medusa was gathering momentum. Unfortunately, the Squadron was still incapable of offering any meaningful mobility support to the Battle Group as large quantities of our heavy equipment remained unserviceable. We continued to scrounge for equipment and hound the chain of command and the mechanics to get our vehicles repaired. I do not blame the mechanics, as they could and would work around the clock to repair our vehicles, provided they had the parts to do so. The issue was more about commanders prioritizing which fleet of vehicles to fix. LCol Lavoie understood the value of what we could offer with respect to mobility support. He accepted our concerns and threw his weight behind our efforts to get those assets back in the fight. As for the troops, the ones that had not been ‘outside the wire’ were becoming very anxious to see some action. All I could tell them was to be careful what they wished for. Their time would soon come.

August 19th marked the official Transfer of Command Authority; the 1 RCR Battle Group was formally in charge. Three hours after the ceremony, elements of A Company under the command of Major Mike Wright were involved in a vicious and protracted nine-hour battle with hundreds of insurgents in the vicinity of Ma’sum Ghar. Over seventy insurgent fighters were killed with no Canadian casualties. Along with the CO and many anxious Battle Group Headquarters staff, I followed the battle from the Battle Group Command Post at Kandahar Airfield. Situation reports (sitreps) came in over the radio and we could watch parts of the battle in real time from video feeds provided by Canadian and US Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

In the following week Taliban fighters attacked both 1 and 2 Troop as they transited through Ambush Alley on Highway 1 to improve the defences at Patrol Base Wilson. Cpl Austin, the Squadron’s storyteller and blogger, describes these events in the chapters named “Ambush Alley” and “Mortar Attack on Patrol Base Wilson.” Because of the condition of our own heavy equipment, we attempted to hire civilian contractors to perform force protection works at Patrol Base Wilson. None would accept the very lucrative contracts offered due to Taliban threats of retribution and the intense violence in the area.

As part of the planning for Op Medusa, another helicopter recce was conducted, this time focusing on Pashmul. Masters of using camouflage and concealment, no enemy was seen and there was no pattern of life detected within the entire three-kilometre-wide strip of land between Pashmul and Highway 1. Pattern of life is a term used to describe the civilian population’s activities within a certain geographic area. In the months previous, the Taliban had evicted all the civilians within that area in order to prepare defensive positions in and around the existing compounds. This action on the Taliban’s part created the unintended consequence that the coalition forces no longer had to discriminate our fire, as they were all targets. Essentially, it became a free-fire zone and if it had two legs and moved, we could and did kill it.

Formal orders for Op Medusa were received from Regional Command South Headquarters on or about August 21st, via e-mail. Curiously though, considering this was the largest NATO combat operation in its history, the only face-to-face meetings involving all force commanders occurred at the back-brief a few days later. On August 24th, I issued a Warning Order to the Squadron, detailing as much as possible the probable tasks for each field troop and specialist section. Along with the other OCs, I received orders from the CO on August 27th. Despite almost two weeks of preparation there were still substantial gaps in the engineer portion of the plan. By this time we had borrowed a D6 armoured dozer from the UK and the German made Zettelmeyer (pronounced “Z-L” for short) front end loader was finally repaired and outfitted with steel plating (ad-hoc up-armour), however, that was the extent of my “breaching” capability.

My staff continued to pursue other options, including shaming the Afghan National Army into lending us their D7 dozer and possibly renting another. Furthermore, we were waiting for word from the US if they would send two Route Clearance Packages in support of the mission. A Route Clearance Package is a suite of vehicles designed to detect and neutralize IEDs. The Battle Group still hadn’t received any real quantity of either Afghan National Army or Police personnel and we still did not have a great appreciation for the ground and the enemy disposition. The most comprehensive and accurate intelligence brief that we had received came from the Special Operations Forces community, and their bleak assessment was that in August of 2006, ISAF was losing the war in Kandahar.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

My name is Leigh Clements, and I am a civilian
that served in Afghanistan for Roto 0 and Roto 1.  I was placed at Camp
Nathan Smith, PRT from January 2006 – Aug 2006.  I was one of only two
Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency  (CFPSA) members that lived and
worked on camp for the duration of my tour.  My job was to operate a small
canteen (CANEX) for the Soldiers, however living on such a small camp in the
middle of Kandahar city, it quickly became much more than that; we became
family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was forwarded the brochure by my friend Sgt
Vanessa LARTER- SMITHERS, who I served with on Op Archer.  She suggested I
submit a poem I wrote while there, and I respectfully do so.  I wrote this
in April 2006, as the soldiers were called out yet again. This, for me, is what
it felt like to sit and wait for the troops to come back.

 sitting thinking,
silent weeping

waiting for the
news

fear of trouble,
heart rate double

there is so much
to lose.

tears are
welling, eyes are telling

clouds of stormy
hues

all this waiting,
turns to hating

a match without a
fuse.

within this
violence, an eerie silence

that echoes deep
inside

proud and stoic,
the troops heroic

they will not run
and hide.

inside this
setting, there’s no forgetting

what lies outside
the gate

there’s no
regretting, or useless fretting

while we sit and
wait.

friends are
dying, hearts are crying

real life is far
away

again tomorrow,
we’ll live this sorrow

but they all came
back today.

__________________________________________________________________________

Marion Glover

I had the opportunity of serving as a civilian in KAF from August 2006 until February 2007.  It was an eye opening experience and one that will stay with me forever.
I remember landing in KAF in the middle of the night and was greated by another member of CFPSA who took me to my tent.  I was told there was a ramp ceremony in the morning.  That was the first of many that would take place during my tour.
My days were filled with long shifts at Tim Horton’s and the other retail outlets but this did not matter as I realized what I was doing was nothing compared to what the troops were doing outside the wire.  I had a bed to lay down on at night….they would lay their heads down wherever, whenever.  I had a shower to go to in the morning……they made due with what little they had. I waited in lineups at the DFAC (dining facility) for up to 3/4 of and hour…….they ate when they could.
In spite of the “fireworks” that took place on many occasions there were many days when I could admire my surroundings and found beauty in things I would never have considered beautiful before my tour.

This is an entry from my diary from November 18, 2006

The rain here stopped yesterday and the sky was filled with the most beautiful blue colour. The scent from the eucalyptus trees was a bit stronger today and called my name as I walked beneath them. I stopped and took a few minutes to take in all its wonder. Trees that can survive drought during the hot months along with thick dust….the water they get in the rainy season must be enough to keep them going for a long time. Their bark appears to be quite loose almost like it has been peeled away by mother nature. Perhaps that is normal on these trees…. I will have to research that one day. I doubt that they could grow in Ontario but, if they could I would definitley look into planting one….in my backyard on the other side….where my hostas are. This morning I was woken by the wind as it grabbed the tent door and slammed it several times. I looked at the clock and saw it was only 4:30 am….way to early to get up so I rolled over covered myself with my blanket and instantly fell back asleep. Soon after the rain started to pelt against the tent and I realized we were once again in for a wet day. I lay in bed until 6 am then headed for the shower. I kind of like the rain here but don’t really like all the mud that comes with it. They have been putting down loads of gravel in the lower lying areas here….so hopefully it will not be as muddy as it has been. Today will tell the story. Actually the weather report is for 48 hours of rain!

_____________________________________________________

Corporal (ret) Eric HJALMARSON. CD LAV III gunner, 1 platoon, A company, OP Archer – Task Force Orion, Kandahar, Afghanistan , January 06 – August 06

It is the 9^th of February 2006 I am on my second tour of Afghanistan. We have drawn are kit and done our training for the last two weeks. Now we are  outside the wire on our first patrol. Headed to a small village called Gumbad where we will set up a patrol base.

We have been traveling down the wadi’s and dusty roads since 0800. We stop at a small village about 10 km from Gumbad to put on a show of force for the villagers. So they can see the power firepower that we carry. During this demonstration I  noticed that my night vision site for the  25 mm cannon has stopped working and will not restart.

As we are leaving the village threading our way through the narrow roads that are just wide enough for vehicles, one of our LAV III miss’s a corner and winds up on its side in the ditch against a mud wall. As a recovery team works to get the lav out of the ditch. The platoon Commander decides to split the convoy  in two and carry on to Gumbad. It is now getting dark and as my night vision site is not working. I have to stand in the turret and use my helmet mounted monocle to scan the hills for threats.

Our half of the convoy now consists of an American Humvee followed by my LAV, a G-Wagon, a second LAV and a truck of ANA behind us. As we come down a small hill and into the low ground. The LAV commander is using his night vision goggles to help direct the driver as we‘re driving in blackout mode. I’m using my night vision monocle to scan the hills on the left side.  I start to turn, to scan in front and then the right side, there’s a bright  flash, and an ear splitting explosion. The front of the LAV is lifted in the air and as it comes down, I feel my legs and knees being smashed against the controls in the turret. I am now in a crumpled lump on the gunners seat. I am also tangled up in the two belts of machine gun ammunition from the ammo bin on my left side. The concussion of the blast is knocked the wind out of me. As I gasp for air. All I can taste is cordite and dust from the explosion. The engine is died and all turret controls will not work. As the LAV Commander is yelling IED IED over the radio, I replied. I know I know. I had thought he was using the intercom, not the radio.  Hearing my reply. He knows that I have survived as well as him. Now he is just worried about the driver and people in the back. After not receiving a reply from the driver. He orders everyone to evacuate the vehicle . He heads to the front to check the driver, the three people in the crew compartment evacuate through the back door all appearing to be ok. I grab my tac vest and  rifle from the side bin and evacuated over the back of the turret down through the family hatch and out the back door. My head is foggy, my legs and elbows are stretched bruised and beat up, I find it hard to walk. I take up a fire position in the ditch on the left side and rear of the vehicle. watching as the ANA and a section from the other LAV sweep the hills looking for the perpetrators. Luckily, there is no more to this attack. The medic comes by and asked me if I‘m okay. Yes I‘ll be fine. I said, and asked how the others were. He said everyone was shaken up but will be all right.

We spent the night on the side of the road next to our vehicles and waited for the EOD to arrive by chopper the next morning to evaluate exactly what explosives were used and how it was detonated. I was later told that it was two antitank mines and a bunch of armoured piercing rounds piled on top, remotely detonated. By early afternoon with our destroyed LAV in tow we continued on to set up our patrol base. This was the first LAV III to be struck by an IED in Afghanistan. And we all survived.

_________________________________________________

Cpl (Ret) Eric Hjalmarson. CD

In 2006 I was on my second tour in Afghanistan. This was Operation Archer, Task Force Orion. In the region of Kandahar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the 17^th of May after 3 ½ months in theatre I was heading home for my mid tour leave. We flew from Kandahar Air Field to Camp Mirage arriving late at night.  The next Morning the 17^th we were informed that Captain Nichola Goddard had been killed in a fire fight in the Pangwii district. That afternoon on my 17 hour flight back to Canada, I was exhausted  and coming down from a 3 ½ month adrenalin high. Unable to sleep and with the thoughts of all that had happened over that time and the fresh news of Capt Goddards death flooding my mind, verses and lines started to emerge. The following poem is what became of that long sleepless flight.

COMRADES

I looked around and saw them,
At their faces “O” so clear.
I looked around and saw them,
As we moved across the field.

They moved with pride and valour,
Their objective was quite clear.
Not a moments hesitation,
Not the slightest sign of fear.

“O” what a band of brothers
We have gathered at this place.
And it matters not their cap badge,
Their religion or their race.

The goal was clear and common,
As we marched toward the guns.
The objective will be taken,
And the battle it will be won.

I looked around and saw them,
And their faces weren’t so clear.
I looked around and saw them,
At our numbers growing fewer.

Their faces fade in memory,
But their names are etched in stone.
And the list is ever growing,
As the missions carry on.

But we the old survivors,
The ones that made it home.
Will not forget the faces ,
Or the names upon the stone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________

Master Corporal Gordon Whitton “retired” Journal entries.

Recce platoon 1^st battalion PPCLI

Jan 26, 2006:

I hate long plane rides, I don’t mind flying but plane rides that last 20 hours really suck. Our first stop was Trenton, Ontario, the landing was so rough, I remember looking over at Dickson and saying “isn’t this the worst fucking landing ever” when the plane stopped and we exited down the stairs and on to the Tarmac, we noticed that one of the
tires on the plane was flat, that explained the rough landing. We stayed in
Trenton long enough for 12 RBC to board and we were off again, the next stop
was Glasgow, Scotland, it was a long flight over the ocean but I’m always glad
to get that leg of an overseas flight over with, we got to hang around the
airport for a couple of hours, I bought a kids Rugby ball for my boy then we
were off again. The next stop was Zagreb, Croatia for a refueling, it’s always
nice to get out of the plane and stretch the legs for an hour or so, we would
always get a fresh new flight crew and be off again. We needed to stop at Camp
Mirage for about 24 hours before we made the final flight into Afghanistan,
Camp Mirage is a secret Canadian camp within a larger Air force base somewhere
around the Persian Gulf. I know a lot about camp Mirage because three years
prior I worked there as part of the defense and security platoon to beef up
security when the Americans British and other coalition countries invaded Iraq,
I remember thinking back then that I’m missing all the fun in Iraq.

Jan28th

The final flight is from camp Mirage to Kandahar airfield Afghanistan, we flew in a CC-130 Hercules, the same planes I jump out of, except its always nice to land in one.
The flight is about 3 hours long, I’ve done it before as part of a re-supply
during my brief tour in camp Mirage three years earlier, people sometimes throw
up on the final descent because of the high altitude the plane needs to come in
from in a war zone, it feels like your doing a downward spiral for about 20
minutes, you’re just hoping it’s over before you vomit, I noticed guys handing
out Gravol at the beginning of the flight for just that reason,  as the plane banked I could see desert out the small circular window, I was happy our journey was over but the mission was really sinking in, the plane landed and we exited the aircraft, we were there
at last, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Kandahar airfield is the dirtiest military base I’ve ever seen in my
life, we walked over to the edge of the Tarmac where the QMSI of our Battalion
MWO Butters was waiting for us, he gave us the scoop on what we were to do for
the next couple of days so we can get settled in as soon as possible. I
remember the air being very cool and there were puddles all over the place, we
got on a bus which took us to a range to Zero our weapons, we then got some kit
at clothing stores and cleared in at a couple of more places. The tent we were
given was this huge white circus like tent that could hold hundreds of men, it
was only about half full and we were warned that there is no space anywhere on
the airfield so expect to be here for most of your tour, and expect this place
to fill up quickly. My buddy and I decided to take a walk around the camp once
we got some free time; this place was amazing, dirty looking troops and
equipment, units hardened by war and lots of them. The runway was lined with
choppers and planes, Hesco walls were everywhere, a reminder that this place
takes rockets from time to time, we were looking for the American PX store so I
could purchase another pair of desert boots since my issued ones were killing
my feet.

That night we went to sleep in our big white tent, there was
hundreds of us in there; we were told we could be in this thing for most of the
tour because construction on our new quarters would take months. I was just
glad to get a good night sleep, we had been traveling for days and I needed a
rest. About an hour after the lights out, we were all woken up from a series of
bangs explosions and gunfire, the camp siren went off and we all rolled off of
our beds and on to the floor, some guys were putting their body armor on and
some were just sitting there with a confused look on their face, the Company
quarter master started yelling out what we were suppose to do, he said put your
PP&E (personal protective equipment) on, and get down beside your beds
until the camp siren changes to an all clear sound. We laid on our floor for
about half an hour, we could hear the Apache take off from the runway and fly
around the camp looking for something, about half an hour later the all clear
sound came from the siren, its just another tone the siren can make, there is
even a sound for infiltration.

The next morning we got the news that an American patrol was leaving
the camp the night before, they were hit by an IED, RPG, and small arms fire,
it was at the bridge just down highway #4 a couple of kilometers, the Americans fired back at the direction of the ambush. The noise from the firefight was so loud the camp security personnel triggered the camp siren thinking we were being attacked, the good news is, the Americans got through the whole thing without any serious damage, the
bad news is this is the unit we are taking over from and that was the fourth
hit like that this week. Sully is the section 2iC, he told me that’s going to
be us in just a couple of weeks, he likes to use the term “Bad Jam” because he
plays Base guitar. Sully is one of the hardest core soldiers I know, he doesn’t
look like it but this guy can carry double his body weight with more drive and
determination than a lot of troops, and all he’ll say about it is “bad jam”.
He’s Pathfinder qualified with all the tattoos to prove it, I think he’s close
to breaking the record for consecutive years in Reconnaissance Platoon. I know
he just met the love of his life so maybe he’ll slow down soon.

All the guys can think about is leaving the wire, some want to go
out there and some are scared shitless, you can tell by the looks on their
faces when we talk about it. I really don’t blame the guys one bit if they are
scared, I’m sure every one of us have some issues over what we must face for
the next seven months. Today we walked over to the compound that held our blown
up vehicles, or vehicles where maintenance was beyond repair, as soon as we got
there we realized this may have been a mistake to see this, there was the two
G-wagons that were a mangled mess, one was hit by a suicide bomber killing Glyn
Barry, and the other was the PRT G-wagon that struck an IED, both incidents
occurred just a couple of weeks earlier. There were five of us there, just
standing with our mouths open, we couldn’t believe the damage that was done to
these vehicles, it was a wonder anyone survived at all.

From Combat Camera – AR2011-0562-004  Kandahar Airfield  17 November 2011

Propeller of the CC-130J Hercules that is part of the Tactical Airlift Unit (TAU) wakes up to its final sun rise as it will take off from Kandahar Airfield shortly for its final fight back to Canada as the TAU has ceased operations on 16 November at Kandahar Airfield.

After 10 years of CC-130 Hercules operations to support Joint Task Force Afghanistan and allied forces, the Tactical Airlift Unit, also known as Task Force Canuck, ceased operations during a sunset ceremony on November 16, 2011 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Brigadier-General Lamarre, Commander Mission Transition Task Force, Colonel Sean Friday, Wing Commander 8 Wing and Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Kiever, Commanding Officer 436 Transport Squadron attended the ceremony as Major Spencer Selhi, Commanding Officer TAU paraded his unit.

The Mission Transition Task Force is responsible to conduct mission closure of Operation ATHENA in order to enable the Canadian Forces to transition to subsequent operations as directed by the Government of Canada.

Photo by: MCpl Dan Shouinard, Senior Imaging Technician, MTTF
© 2011 DND-MDN Canada

French/Français
AR2011-0562-004
Aérodrome de Kandahar
17 novembre 2011

On aperçoit, à l’aube, l’hélice du CC130J Hercules, qui fait partie de l’Unité de transport aérien tactique (UTAT), pour la dernière fois puisque l’appareil quittera l’aérodrome de Kandahar pour rentrer au Canada. L’UTAT a terminé ses opérations le 16 novembre à l’aérodrome de Kandahar.

Après dix années d’opérations du CC130 Hercules à l’appui de la Force opérationnelle interarmées en Afghanistan et des forces alliées, l’Unité de transport aérien tactique (UTAT), aussi appelée la Force opérationnelle Canuck, a souligné la fin de ses opérations lors d’une cérémonie au coucher du soleil, le 16 novembre 2011, à l’aérodrome de Kandahar, en Afghanistan. Le Brigadier-général Lamarre, commandant de la Force opérationnelle de transition de la mission, le Colonel Sean Friday, commandant de la 8e Escadre, et le Lieutenant-colonel Colin Kiever, commandant du 436e Escadron de transport, ont assisté à la cérémonie alors que le Major Spencer Selhi, commandant de l’UTAT, a fait défiler son unité.

La Force opérationnelle de transition de la mission est chargée de mener la mission de clôture de l’opération Athena afin de permettre aux Forces canadiennes (FC) d’effectuer la transition vers d’autres opérations sous la direction du gouvernement du Canada.

Photo : Cplc Dan Shouinard, technicien en imagerie principal, FOTM, © 2011 DND-MDN Canada

_________________________________________________________________

WO Mark Finucan, Air Maintenance Superintendent

In the fall of 2006 I was promoted to Sgt and given a crew of 10 technicians to go to CampMirageand then KAF to maintain our CC130 Hercules aircraft. I was an Aviation Systems Technician and the honour of being the crew chief was awe inspiring for me at that time. I arrived in KAF in late October 2006, I worked and lived inside the wire but I worked on the flight line right beside the Role 3 medical centre.

While working on and/or waiting for our aircraft to come and go I would always see the medevac choppers coming and going. I went into work one morning and the phones and computers were down so I knew a Canadian had been killed that morning, comms blackout. As the only Herc maintenance crew in KAF we had the unfortunate pleasure of prepping the aircraft for the latest Canadian casualties. There were two men killed, CWO Girouard and his driver Cpl Storm.

I met CWO Girouard a few weeks earlier inCampMirage, we spoke briefly about a guy we both knew that was now in the Air Force. He asked me to say hello to him when I got back, which I did. Standing their on the ramp in KAF, that was all I could remember, his voice talking about a mutual friend, as CWO Girouard’s coffin was placed on the aircraft. That was not my first or last ramp ceremony, just one I seemed to remember more then the others. In my time in KAF andCampMirageI saw a lot of happy faces as they were heading home for good and a lot of concerned faces as they headed back to War.

Life inside the wire was a picnic compared to those that lived outside the wire and I salute those men and women that had to endure that hardship.

English/Anglais

AR2006-G047-0021, 30 November 2006, Kandahar, Afghanistan

On a brisk November morning, members of Canadian Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-AFG) and a delegation of the British, American, Dutch, Danes, Romanians, and the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) pay their final respects during a ramp ceremony for Cpl Albert Storm and CWO Robert Girouard before their final journey from the Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

Cpl Storm and CWO Girouard were killed by a suicide vehicle born improvised explosive device (SVBIED) on Monday morning.

Photo by: MCpl  Yves Gemus, Task Force Afghanistan Roto 2, Imagery Technician

French/Franais

AR2006-G047-0021, 30 novembre 2006, Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Par un matin frisquet de novembre, des membres de la Force operationnelle en Afghanistan (FOA), une délégation des contingents britannique, américain, néerlandais, danois et roumain ainsi que des représentants de l’Agence de soutien du personnel des Forces canadiennes (ASPFC) se sont réunis sur le tarmac du terrain d’aviation de Kandahar, en Afghanistan. Ils venaient rendre un dernier hommage au Cpl Albert Storm et ˆ l’Adjuc Robert Girouard avant qu’ils ne s’envolent pour leur dernier voyage.

Le Cpl Storm et l’Adjuc Girouard ont été tués dans un attentat-suicide ˆ la voiture piégée (SVBIED).

Photo : Cplc Yves Gemus Force opérationnelle en Afghanistan, ROTO 2 Technicien en imagerie

___________________________________________________________________________

Op Archer, Crew 21C in KAF, 07 Nov-29 Nov 2006

Mark Finucan – WO – RCAF

Written in November 2006

Sounds

As I enter AAA6, which is our tent number here in KAF, I take in all the new sights, sounds and smells. For those that have been here this will bring back memories, some good, and some bad. I stop before entering, but only for a moment. It will take a few days to actually figure out what all those new sensations are. First we have the ever-present aroma from the golden ponds, that is the open sewage system just a short few hundred meters away, this is hard on the nostrils but that is it. It is the sounds that get me the most. As I stand in that doorway a UAV motors overhead ever watching out for those of us that are asleep and unaware of what lies just outside the wire. Just down the road on the flight line two Harriers take to the night sky, and as they scream off in one-direction two attack helicopters lift off in a beating roar in yet another direction. It is late now almost midnight and this place is wide awake, ever vigilant. As I stand there choking back the dust constantly blowing around, filling your nose, mouth and lungs I wonder what this trip will be like. Once inside the tent I find my small bed space that is separated from the next with hanging sheets. There is not much separating me from the outside world meaning all those noises come blaring in. Oh did I say that AAA6 is right beside a major road! Vehicles of all types and sizes move around all night, I hope my earplugs stay in or it is going to be a long night.

We settle in for the night and hope that we get some sleep as we have a very busy first day, the first of 22 days here at the Kandahar Air Field or KAF. We drift off to sleep, which means we force ourselves to try to get some rest, very noisy, not easy. Then at about 0200 the rocket man makes his frightful visit. We don’t know where the rockets land only that the wailing siren is telling us to get to the bunkers. We await the all clear then head over to Canada House to sign in, and make sure everyone is accounted for. I find out the next day that a lot people didn’t even get out of bed, those are the ones that have been here awhile, used to the sirens. How would anyone get used to those sirens I think, after the fourth siren in a week I understand all to quickly. I am also told that the sirens usually go off after the rocket has hit the ground, can’t confirm that one but we all believe it and wind up as ones that don’t go to the bunker when the sirens wail.

The first few days go by quickly, the old crew leaves and we try and make heads or tails out of this camp. The first order of business is place of work, sleep, and eat then bathrooms. For some the order is different depending on what is the immediate requirement. We start a routine of work, rest, eat, and sleep. The aircraft is pretty good, some problems but we are a very experienced group and stay on top of things. Soon enough the weather changes from hot dry, sandy and dusty to rain, rain and more rain. It rains so much that some tents are flooded; everywhere you look all that dust is now mud. The water has no place to run and it does not sink into the ground like back inCanadait just sits there. We are of course kitted out for hot dry weather not cold wet weather. All of a sudden three of us are sick, one with pneumonia and we consider sending people back to CM for a few days to recuperate.

After a week we are in a groove, but the sounds still play in our minds. In the day there are many types of aircraft flying in and out. There are medivac choppers bringing the wounded, unfortunately too many of those. There are plane after plane of supplies coming, Il76’s and the AN12’s, then at night the C17’s show up. The C17’s don’t like to show up in the day because they are a big target of opportunity. They leave at night as well, and you do not see them only hear them, no lights at all. This is how I started this, the sounds, it is the sounds that make you think. We heard mortar’s being fired at night with the bright illumination rounds, heard attack helicopters on the range firing hundreds of rounds. All sounds we are not used to.

One day the EOD techs decided to blow up something huge on the range. Now when you are in an area of war you want to know if someone purposely blew something up right! The only thing we heard was the thunderous boom and the shock wave. It took a good 30 minutes for all of us to calm down. It sounded as if someone had blown up the building next door this was a massive explosion. I find out later that there was a warning you just can’t hear it in the building we work from. I say building, well it was once a complete building but now has a bombed out area in the center and charred ceilings. The name of the building is TLS, short for Taliban’s Last Stand. This building is just that, the last hold out of the Taliban when the coalition forces tookKandahar. You must walk through this building in order to appreciate it. The pock marked walls from bomb shrapnel, the burnt archways and ceilings, the flag pole at the center of the bombed out area with the stars and stripes fluttering in the wind.

All these sounds shape our minds and make us think about things in a different way. This is a war zone, we are inside the wire, but it is close, we are nervous people never truly sleeping sound. There are no days off here as we are here for only 22 days and those days get long two weeks in. We start to get on each other’s nerves a little, you can’t help it. You work, eat and sleep in close quarters with the same people; it’s like brothers bickering. We might argue some but we still have each other’s back should things go wrong. As the tour winds towards the end of our 22 days in KAF we are looking forward to going back toCampMirage, which seems more and more like Club Medd compared to this place.

The sounds will always be there in our heads. The sounds of war, the sounds of what it costs for peace in the world. We hear the laughter, the sirens, the roaring jets, the beating helicopter blades, the sounds of guns and artillery, the vehicles constantly moving past our tent, and in the end we all hope for different sounds. Suddenly the sounds of our children fighting or spouses arguing seems to be something we look forward to hearing again, the sounds of our lives continuing back home. For some the last sounds they ever heard were here inAfghanistan, sadness creeps in when thinking of that.

I step from the doorway of AAA6 one last time and wonder if I will ever return. This is not a place to want to make home, too many sounds.

Sounds: Part 2 – Mark Finucan

On my second last day of my tour in KAF two men were killed outside of the base, within about 10 kilometres. Their wives went to sleep married and woke up widows, lives shattered, ripped apart, everything changed in an instant. I can hear the explosion in my head, I did not hear it really just imagined. What I can hear is the voice of the RCR RSM, CWO Girouard as he spoke to me a month earlier. I hear the sound of his voice speaking of a mutual friend. A man that was once in the Army with him but changed into the Air Force a few years earlier. I can point to the spot where we spoke; I hear the sound of his voice. I remember the sound of his voice because that is all that is left of that man, sounds. Sounds make us known to people; sounds take us from the ones we love.

If I think about how I got here than I must say it is the sound of an airplane crashing into the WTC in New York. Then it was the sound of the phone ringing to say you are leaving for a far away land. The sound I heard next was that of my wife and children crying for me not to go, then to be safe that they loved me. I live in Trenton and the sounds of the planes bring home the dead heroes from a far away land. I have seen my wife weep when watching the ramp ceremonies of the coffins arriving as she knows that I am heading to that place where the sound of a bomb could take me from this world.

It is the sounds that make this world a scary place. The sounds have changed me for good, well lets hope not. If they have then I am hopeless, I will be mired in this rut of depression spiralling deeper and deeper into the abyss. Tomorrow the sound of an aircraft will take me from this place and the day after that the sound of the bugle and bag pipes will tell everyone that two more fallen heroes will start their journey home to Canada. I can say many good things about sounds. The gentle whisper of a loved ones voice in your ear, a child’s laughter, the sound of silence. It is the sounds of all things violent that takes the life from you. Maybe that sound takes your life all at once; maybe it takes it one day a time. I can only hope that those exposed to those sounds leave them behind somehow and move on with their lives.

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Warrant Officer Randie Potts, CISTM – 1 Service Battalion Edmonton.

I have done three tours in Afghanistan; all three tours were based out of Kandahar Airfield.  I would like to share some changes that I experienced over there.

2006 – The Canadian C-130 transport did stop its engines and actually parked but not over night.  The tarmac had been extended and we stopped in front of the hanger filled with holes in the roof.  Longer briefings this time and we were directed to Modular tent until the guys from Kabul vacated our quarters.  Weather havens eight guys per tent and dividers, cots with mattresses and electric power were our new quarters.  A month or so later we got air conditioners put in. Light discipline gone, light standards everywhere.  Three different mess halls to have meals.  Our work area was a MEC shelter, sea can office and only one LSVW MRT.  The PX was a building now by Role 3.  The board walk was being built and Tim Horton’s trailer arrived.  This time I brought family with me.  My eldest son Adam, with Multi National Headquarters (MNHQ) and my youngest son Ian with the Battle Group (BdGp) and I worked for National Support Element (NSE).  One of the better kept secrets from the media, I did not want too much attention directed to the family back in Canada.

 

 

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English/Anglais

From Combat Camera – AS2006-0929a  25 December 2006  Kandahar Province, Afghanistan

A soldier from A-Company 2 PPCLI uses a satellite phone to call home on Christmas Day.

Forward Operating Base Mas’um Ghar is located adjacent to Bazari Panjwai, in the Panjwai District west of Kandahar City.

Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTFA) is Canada’s military contribution to Afghanistan. Canadian operations will focus on working with Afghan authorities to improve security, governance and economic development.

The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution in Afghanistan comprises about 2,400 soldiers, most of whom serve with JTFA at Kandahar Airfield and Camp Nathan Smith, Canada’s Provincial Reconstruction Team, in Kandahar City.  Additional personnel are assigned to various military headquarters, a support base, and civilian organizations.

Photo by: Sergeant Dennis Power, Army News-Shilo

French/Français

AS2006-0929a 25 décembre 2006 Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Un soldat de la Compagnie A du 2 PPCLI utilise un téléphone satellite pour appeler chez lui le jour de Noël.

La base d’opérations avancée (FOB) de Ma’Sum Ghar est située à côté de Bazari Panjwayi, dans le district de Panjwayi, à l’ouest de Kandahar.

La Force opérationnelle interarmées en Afghanistan (FOI Afg) constitue la contribution militaire du Canada en Afghanistan. Les opérations canadiennes ont pour but premier d’aider les autorités afghanes à améliorer la sécurité, la gouvernance et le développement économique du pays.

La contribution des Forces canadiennes (FC) en Afghanistan s’élève à environ 2 400 soldats dont la majorité fait partie de la Force opérationnelle interarmées en Afghanistan (FOI Afg) et est déployée à l’aérodrome de Kandahar et au Camp Nathan Smith à Kandahar où s’est établie l’Équipe provinciale de reconstruction (EPR) de Kandahar. D’autres membres du personnel sont affectés à divers quartiers généraux militaires, à une base de soutien, et auprès d’organismes civils.

Photo: Sgt Dennis Power, Nouvelles de l’Armée à Shilo

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English/Anglais

From Combat Camera – AS2006-0934a  26 December 2006  Kandahar Province, Afghanistan

Major Mike Wright, Officer Commanding of A-Company 2 PPCLI discusses a report from an Afghan National Army Commander on the presence of Taliban in his area of operations near Howz-e Madad.

Forward Operating Base Mas’um Ghar is located adjacent to Bazari Panjwai, in the Panjwai District west of Kandahar City.

Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTFA) is Canada’s military contribution to Afghanistan. Canadian operations will focus on working with Afghan authorities to improve security, governance and economic development.

The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution in Afghanistan comprises about 2,400 soldiers, most of whom serve with JTFA at Kandahar Airfield and Camp Nathan Smith, Canada’s Provincial Reconstruction Team, in Kandahar City.  Additional personnel are assigned to various military headquarters, a support base, and civilian organizations.

Photo by: Sergeant Dennis Power, Army News-Shilo

French/Français

AS2006-0934a  26 décembre 2006  Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Le Major Mike Wright, commandant de la Compagnie A du 2 PPCLI, commente un compte rendu de l’armée nationale afghane, qui porte sur la présence des talibans dans sa zone d’opérations située près de Howz e Madad.

La base d’opérations avancée (FOB) de Ma’Sum Ghar est située à côté de Bazari Panjwayi, dans le district de Panjwayi, à l’ouest de Kandahar.

La Force opérationnelle interarmées en Afghanistan (FOI Afg) constitue la contribution militaire du Canada en Afghanistan. Les opérations canadiennes ont pour but premier d’aider les autorités afghanes à améliorer la sécurité, la gouvernance et le développement économique du pays.

La contribution des Forces canadiennes (FC) en Afghanistan s’élève à environ 2 400 soldats dont la majorité fait partie de la Force opérationnelle interarmées en Afghanistan (FOI Afg) et est déployée à l’aérodrome de Kandahar et au Camp Nathan Smith à Kandahar où s’est établie l’Équipe provinciale de reconstruction (EPR) de Kandahar.

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English/Anglais

From Combat Camera – AR2006-S002-0057 December 19, 2006 Kandahar, Afghanistan

Sergeant Nathan Ronaldson attempts to strike up a conversation with a young girl in the town of Bazaar-e-Panjwaii.  Eventually, she came closer to talk.  Sgt Ronaldson was part of a Civilian Military Cooperation (CIMIC)  Patrol through the streets of Bazaar-e-Panjwaii.  The patrol originated at the gates of Forward Operating Base Ma’Sum Ghar and ended two kilometers east at an Afghan National Army Checkpoint.  Its purpose was to gauge the mood of the town and to do quick assessments of the population.

Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) is Canada’s contribution to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The focus of this mission is to help Afghans rebuild their lives, families, communities and nation.  Canadian Forces personnel in Afghanistan are working to improve the quality of life of Afghans by providing a more secure environment in which Afghan society can recover from more than 25 years of conflict.

The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution in Afghanistan comprises about 2,500 soldiers, most of who serve in Kandahar province with a smaller number of personnel assigned to Kabul, various military headquarters, and civilian organizations.

Photo By:  Capt Edward Stewart, JTF-AFG Op ATHENA Roto 2, 1 RCR BG PAO

French/Français

AR2006-S002-0057 19 décembre 2006  Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Le Sergent Nathan Ronaldson essaie d’engager une conversation avec une fillette dans la ville de Bazaar-e-Panjwaii. La fillette a fini par s’approcher. Le Sgt Ronaldson faisait partie d’une patrouille de coopération civilo-militaire (COCIM) dans les rues de Bazaar-e-Panjwaii. La patrouille partait des barrières de la base d’opérations avancée Ma’Sum Ghar et se rendait jusqu’à un point de contrôle de l’Armée nationale afghane, situé à deux kilomètres à l’est. Elle avait pour but de jauger l’atmosphère de la ville et l’état d’esprit de la population.

La Force opérationnelle interarmées Afghanistan (FOI-Afg) est la contribution du Canada à la Force internationale d’assistance à la sécurité (FIAS) de l’OTAN en Afghanistan. Le but principal de la mission est d’aider les Afghans à rebâtir leur vie et leur famille, et à reconstruire leur communauté et leur pays. Le personnel des Forces canadiennes en Afghanistan travaille à améliorer la qualité de vie des Afghans en offrant un environnement plus sûr dans lequel la société afghane peut se remettre de plus de 25 années de conflit.

L’effectif des Forces canadiennes (FC) en Afghanistan représente environ 2 500 soldats, dont la plupart sont dans la province de Kandahar. Un petit nombre de membres du personnel sont affectés à Kaboul, dans divers quartiers généraux militaires et auprès d’organismes civils.

Photo : Capt Edward Stewart, FOI-AFG Op Athena, Roto 2

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English/Anglais

From Combat Camera – AR2006-S001-0063  December 19, 2006  Kandahar, Afghanistan

A soldier from 8 Platoon (8 Pl) Charlie Company (C Coy) 1 Battalion, The Royal 22e Regiment (R 22e R) pets a puppy that that some local children are trying to sell.  The children followed a Civilian Military Cooperation (CIMIC)  Patrol through the streets of Bazaar-e-Panjwaii trying to convince the soldiers buy the puppy.  The patrol originated at the gates of Forward Operating Base Ma’Sum Ghar and ended two kilometers east at an Afghan National Army Checkpoint.  Its purpose was to gauge the mood of the town and to do quick assessments of the population.

Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) is Canada’s contribution to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The focus of this mission is to help Afghans rebuild their lives, families, communities and nation.  Canadian Forces personnel in Afghanistan are working to improve the quality of life of Afghans by providing a more secure environment in which Afghan society can recover from more than 25 years of conflict.

The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution in Afghanistan comprises about 2,500 soldiers, most of who serve in Kandahar province with a smaller number of personnel assigned to Kabul, various military headquarters, and civilian organizations.

Photo By:  Capt Edward Stewart, JTF-AFG Op, ATHENA, Roto 2, 1 RCR BG PAO

French/Français

AR2006-S002-0063 19 décembre 2006  Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Un soldat du 8e Peloton (8 Pon), Compagnie Charlie (Cie C), 1er Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment (1 R22eR), caresse un chiot que des enfants du pays essaient de vendre. Les enfants ont suivi une patrouille de coopération civilo-militaire (COCIM) dans les rues de Bazaar-e-Panjwaii en essayant de convaincre les soldats d’acheter le chiot. La patrouille partait des barrières de la base d’opérations avancée Ma’Sum Ghar et se rendait jusqu’à un point de contrôle de l’Armée nationale afghane, situé à deux kilomètres à l’est. Elle avait pour but de jauger l’atmosphère de la ville et l’état d’esprit de la population.

La Force opérationnelle interarmées Afghanistan (FOI-Afg) est la contribution du Canada à la Force internationale d’assistance à la sécurité (FIAS) de l’OTAN en Afghanistan. Le but principal de la mission est d’aider les Afghans à rebâtir leur vie et leur famille, et à reconstruire leur communauté et leur pays. Le personnel des Forces canadiennes en Afghanistan travaille à améliorer la qualité de vie des Afghans en offrant un environnement plus sûr dans lequel la société afghane peut se remettre de plus de 25 années de conflit.

L’effectif des Forces canadiennes (FC) en Afghanistan représente environ 2 500 soldats, dont la plupart sont dans la province de Kandahar. Un petit nombre de membres du personnel sont affectés à Kaboul, dans divers quartiers généraux militaires et auprès d’organismes civils.

Photo : Capt Edward Stewart, FOI-AFG Op, Athena, Roto 2, OAP GT 1 RCR

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English/Anglais

From Combat Camera – AR2006-S003-0153  DATE: December 24, 2006 Kandahar, Afghanistan

Major Mike Wright, Officer Commanding, Alpha Company (A Coy) 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group (1 RCR BG) greets General Rick Hillier, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) upon his arrival at Forward Operating Base Ma’Sum Ghar (FOB MSG).

On December 24th, 2006 General Rick Hillier, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), arrived in the Panjwaii District to visit soldiers of 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group (1 RCR BG).  Traveling with the CDS was Brigadier General Tim Grant, Commander, Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-A), Members of Parliament John Baird, Laurie Hawn and Jay Hill and comedian Rick Mercer.

The CDS stopped at Strong Point West to enjoy Christmas Dinner with the soldiers of Bravo Company (B Coy) of 1 RCR BG, then continued on to Forward Operating Base Ma’Sum Ghar.

Photo By:  Capt Edward Stewart, JTF-AFG Op Athena Roto 2, 1 RCR BG PAO

French/Français

AR2006-S003-0153 24 décembre 2006  Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Le Major Mike Wright, commandant de la Compagnie Alpha (Cie A), Groupement tactique du 1er Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment (GT 1 RCR), accueille le Général Rick Hillier, Chef d’état-major de la Défense (CEMD), à l’arrivée de celui-ci à la base d’opérations avancée Ma’Sum Ghar (FOB MSG).

Le 24 décembre 2006, le Général Rick Hillier, Chef d’état-major de la Défense (CEMD), est arrivé dans le district de Panjwaii afin de visiter les soldats du Groupement tactique du 1er Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment (GT 1 RCR). Le CEMD était accompagné du Brigadier-général Tim Grant, commandant de la force opérationnelle interarmées Afghanistan (FOI-A), des députés John Baird, Laurie Hawn et Jay Hill, ainsi que du fantaisiste Rick Mercer.

Le CEMD s’est arrêté au centre de résistance à l’ouest afin de partager le dîner de Noël avec les soldats de la Compagnie Bravo (Cie B) du GT 1 RCR, avant de se rendre à la base d’opérations avancée Ma’Sum Ghar.

Photo: Capt Edward Stewart, FOI-AFG Op, Athena, Roto 2, OAP GT 1 RCR

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English/Anglais

From Combat Camera – AR2006-S002-0115  December 21, 2006  Kandahar, Afghanistan

Lieutenant Colonel Omer H. Lavoie (right), Commanding Office, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group (1 RCR BG) collects his mug of rum before explaining the historical significance of The Ortona Toast to the soldiers of 1 RCR BG at Forward Operating Base Ma’Sum Ghar (FOB MSG) in the Panjwaii District.

The Ortona Toast was first given on the Royal Canadian Regiment’s (RCR) 60th birthday on December 21st, 1943 during a lull in the Battle of Ortona in the course of the Italian Campaign.  Drunk from china mugs, the toast was made with the soldiers’ rum ration mixed with water and brown sugar since that was all that could be found.  Since that day the RCR celebrates its regimental birthday by giving the Ortona Toast, using the same ad hoc beverage in china mugs.

December 21st 2006, the 123rd year of the RCR, and the 63rd year since the original Ortona Toast, marks the first time since the Second World War that it has been given on the battlefield.

Photo By:  Capt Edward Stewart, JTF-AFG Op, ATHENA, Roto 2, 1 RCR BG PAO

French/Français

AR2006-S002-0115  21 décembre 2006 Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Le Lieutenant-colonel Omer H. Lavoie (à droite), commandant du Groupement tactique du 1er Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment (GT 1 RCR), prend sa petite chope de rhum, avant d’expliquer la signification historique du toast en l’honneur d’Ortona aux soldats du GT 1 RCR à la base d’opérations avancée Ma’Sum Ghar (FOB MSG) dans le district de Panjwaii.

Le toast en l’honneur d’Ortona a été porté pour la première fois le 21 décembre 1943 lors du 60e anniversaire de l’unité The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) pendant un arrêt dans la bataille d’Ortona au cours de la campagne d’Italie. Les soldats avaient préparé la boisson, qu’ils ont bue dans de petites chopes en porcelaine, en mélangeant leur ration de rhum à de l’eau et à de la cassonade – c’est tout ce qu’on avait pu trouver alors. Depuis ce jour, les soldats célèbrent l’anniversaire du RCR en portant le toast en l’honneur d’Ortona, qui consiste à boire la même boisson spéciale dans de petites chopes en porcelaine.

Le 21 décembre 2006 marque le 123e anniversaire du RCR et le 63e anniversaire du toast original porté en l’honneur d’Ortona. Pour la première fois depuis la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le toast a été porté au champ de bataille.

Photo : Capt Edward Stewart, FOI-AFG Op, Athena,  Roto 2