Another Story from Afghanistan

[Curiosity]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...0308/fraser_patrol_060308/20060309?hub=Canada

General tries to lead by example in Afghanistan
Updated Thu. Mar. 9 2006 8:12 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

In a part of the world where brave gestures earn respect, tribal elders took notice when the commander of the multi-national forces in southern Afghanistan went on patrol in Kandahar, less than week after a series of attacks on his troops.

It's dangerous beyond the borders of Kandahar Airfield, the base where soldiers rest, train and plan for their forays into the often hostile countryside that surrounds the base.

Just last Saturday, a vicious axe attack during a meeting with tribal elders left Capt. Trevor Greene in critical condition.

Before that, a suicide bombing injured three and a vehicle accident injured two others and claimed the life of a third.

But Brig.-Gen. David Fraser in Afghanistan sent a message to the Taliban Wednesday that Canadians will not be scared away from their mission of helping rebuild the communities of the war-torn nation.

In soldier's slang, the 48-year-old Fraser ventured "outside the wire," and left the protective safety of the base, joining his troops for the first time to patrol the dangerous roads of Kandahar province.

He did a turn in the gun turret of the LAV III armoured vehicle transporting him.

Fraser even held another shura, the tribal meetings designed to broker peace and goodwill with Afghans.

Despite the axe attack on one of his troops in the same setting, Fraser removed his helmet and laid down his rifle in a gesture of goodwill.

"I can't do my job sitting down .... I can't sit in an office. I've got to get out here and do this stuff," Fraser, a former infantryman who heads the Multi National Brigade for Regional Command South (MNB RC (South)), told CTV's Steve Chao in Afghanistan.

The purpose of the Canadian mission simply can't be fulfilled without taking risks and getting in harm's way, Fraser said.

"We came over here as an international community to help these people. ... You've got to put yourself at some sort of risk to go and help them."

The top general's visit got the attention of tribal elders. During the shura, they explained that they want to set up a checkpoint to increase security on the notoriously dangerous stretch of highway where Canadian soldiers have been attacked.

Fraser's courage has also earned the respect of the men who serve alongside him.

"He's a leader and he's a soldier, so actually I think it builds confidence in the other soldiers that see that," said Master Warrant Officer Shawn Walsh, who is part of the security detail that guards the commander.

On another hazardous stretch of road, Fraser and his troops made an impromptu visit with a shepherd.

His security detail scrambled to maintain his safety, but the gesture, like the others, spoke volumes both to his own troops and to the Afghans about his commitment to the region.

With a report from CTV's Steve Chao

Link has more stories from Afghanistan and the military stationed there.

 

[Jay]

Great post, WD. Thanks.


I think that should be read aloud in our House of Commons!

 

[Curiosity]

Jay

We need more of these stories. I am so proud the Canadians are being shown how to work with the Afghan people and tribes according to their customs for cooperation and understanding.

It is the best way for "invaders" to keep peace and make friends.

Glad you liked it - it's as rare as hen's teeth getting good news from the middle east! WC

 

[zoofer]

I wonder if Jacko reads these threads when he is not busy undermining Canada's war effort?

 

[Jay]

 

[JomZ]

This is what I want too hear and see in this mission.

An honest, no B.S. approach to helping the people of Afghanistan help themselves build a better society.

I feel that Brig.-Gen Fraiser will accomplish a great deal in this mission if he is allowed to approach the mission in his own way, and is not hampered by a parliment several thousands of kilometers away.

 

[Curiosity]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/02/16/1446258-cp.html

More news on Canadians in Afghanistan

March 9, 2006
Troops hunting Taliban

By LES PERREAUX
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - Canadian troops have launched a major operation deep into insurgent country in southern Afghanistan, where local authorities fear to tread and Canadians have already come under attack.

Hundreds of troops from two companies of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry moved out this week by air and road, supported by armoured vehicles, helicopter gunships and artillery.

The aim of the mission, which will last for much of the rest of March, is to show local residents and insurgents that Afghan authorities and Canadian troop can control the rural, isolated area despite the presence of Taliban insurgents.

Over the last month, Canadian troops have encountered ambushes - including rockets, roadside bombs and an axe attack that left a Canadian in critical condition - in the mountainous region north of Kandahar city.

Several small pockets of insurgents, numbering in the dozens according to departing U.S. commanders, still operate in the area. In the spring, they often gather and organize larger offensives.

Six U.S. soldiers and 18 Afghans - including police, soldiers and civilian leaders - died in operations in the area last year.

"If we meet these bad guys, we destroy them. Simple as that," said Capt. Martin Larose, the acting commander of Company A, during a briefing for platoon commanders.

Larose warned his troops to watch out for the commonly known arsenal used by insurgents: roadside bombs, AK-47 assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

It's the biggest mission so far for the Canadian contingent of 2,200 troops based in Kandahar who have arrived in the region over the past month. Smaller units have patrolled in the northern part of the province since they started arriving in early February.

The mission coincided with a big anti-narcotics operation in neighbouring Helmond province, where hundreds of Afghan police and soldiers backed up by coalition troops have been plowing under illicit poppy fields.

Canadians moved into a forward operating base near Gumbad, 60 kilometres north of Kandahar, several weeks ago. They almost immediately came under rocket-propelled grenade attack, which was answered by a barrage of Canadian howitzers.

Most recently, Capt. Trevor Greene, a civil-military co-operation officer, was attacked by an axe-wielding youth while on a visit with local elders in Shingai village.

Capt. Kevin Schamuhn, Greene's platoon commander who was among three soldiers who killed the attacker and repelled a subsequent ambush, briefed his troops for their return to the region to again meet elders and collect intelligence.

"The locals might feed you a bunch of bullshit," Schamuhn told soldiers in a briefing. "We're spending a lot of time trying to sort out the truth. Call them on it directly, it seems to get much better information."

The push into rural areas comes one week after a spate of suicide bombings and ambushes in Kandahar that injured eight Canadian soldiers.

Two others were killed and six injured in vehicle accidents around the same time.

 

[Jersay]

:roll:

I wonder if Jacko reads these threads when he is not busy undermining Canada's war effort?

 

[Mogz]

I met General Fraser back when he was Colonel and the man is stellar. He doesn't BS, regardless of your rank. I'm enlisted, and when we talked to me it was direct and to the point. He's a good man and a good choice for leadership of the Brigade.

As for stories from overseas, i'll start posting them. I have access to the DIN (Defence Information Network) and news stories that often go missed are there. I'll start posting the good ones.

 

[Curiosity]

Mogz

Good idea - I follow the Milblogs for the U.S. crew in Iraq - would love to read some Canadian news too.

 

[Sassylassie]

Mogz, that is a great idea. I look forward to reading your post.