Hillier in Afghanistan

[Curiosity]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...nada_operation_060310/20060310?hub=TopStories

Hillier whisked away after roadside bombing
Updated Fri. Mar. 10 2006 10:40 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Canada's top soldier was helping with work on the ground in Afghanistan Friday when a roadside bomb went off just 800 metres from where he was chatting with a village elder.

Gen. Rick Hillier, the chief of the defence staff, was whisked away in an armoured vehicle. A U.S. Blackhawk helicopter picked him up from the army's forward operating base in Gumbad, and took him to Kandahar.

The blast lightly damaged a Canadian Bison armoured vehicle, used as an ambulance. However, no one was hurt in the attack.

"I'm pleased to say that the occupants of the vehicle, although somewhat frightened by the whole experience, are fine," Maj. Scott Lundy, in Kandahar, told CTV Newsnet Friday.

Friday's blast comes as Canadian troops launch a large operation to increase their presence in Taliban and insurgent-held areas, such as Gumbad, which is about 10 kilometres down a road known for bombings.

CTV's Steve Chao, reporting from Kandahar, said the area is known as the heart of Taliban country. It has a lot of high mountains and ambush areas where insurgents can attack coalition forces.

"This is an area known to be a holding area, if you will, for insurgents," Chao told CTV Newsnet.

"What (Canadians) want to do eventually is take control of the rural, isolated areas that traditionally the Taliban and al Qaeda and all the insurgents have had a strong foothold in."

The mission, code-named Operation Peacemaker, is not about taking prisoners, but rather about establishing communications with Afghan communities and elders.

"The focus of this operation is actually to engage the local population, including the village elders, and speak with them about the fact that we will be patrolling more regularly in the area," said Lundy. "Show them that we mean them no harm."

The operation is commanded by Lt.-Col. Ian Hope, who leads the Canadian task force in Kandahar.

Before the bomb went off, Hillier, Hope and Capt. Kevin Schamuhn were chatting with Haji Mohammed Nabi, the village elder in Kundalan. They were trying to urge his people to abandon sympathies for Taliban insurgents.

However, Hope said Hillier was not the target of Friday's blast.

Kundulan is just a few kilometres down the road from Shingai, the scene of an axe attack last week that seriously wounded Capt. Trevor Greene.

Schamuhn was sitting beside Greene when the attack happened, and was one of three soldiers that shot the attacker dead. However, during Friday's chat he removed his helmet.

He admitted that having extra security around on Friday helped him relax during the meeting.

Canadians have increasingly been on guard for attacks, after weeks of being the targets of roadside bombings, and rocket attacks.

Despite that, Chao said every soldier he has talked to remains dedicated to the mission in Afghanistan.

"Everyone we spoke to speaks about the commitment - this belief in themselves that they are actually fighting for Canadians in Afghanistan by freeing up the livelihood of the Afghans."

"Giving them freedom. Eventually it will reduce the chance of attacks in Canada itself."

With files from The Canadian Press

 

[zoofer]

Hillier's trip was naturally unannounced and was noticeably to one of the forward firebases.
Earlier reports did not mention any attacks during his visit.

 

[Mogz]

That's why I respect the man so much. Right there on the front lines.

 

[FiveParadox]

I commend the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier; he has continued to conduct himself in an honourable manner throughout his term, and the Canadian Armed Forces, and Canada, have most certainly benefitted from his services.

:!: (Revision) : Resolved a typing exception.

 

[Jay]

He's a great guy.

See all those pretty coloured pins he gets to wear on his jacket, Five?

 

[Sassylassie]

It's nice to see a CDF who really seems to care for his men/women.

 

[Doryman]

He's a great guy.

See all those pretty coloured pins he gets to wear on his jacket, Five?

Damn impressive, especially considering the Canadian policy of giving the minimum medals possible. Were Hillier a Yankee officer, he'd look like a fruit salad by now...

Go Newfoundlanders.

 

[Mogz]

Damn impressive, especially considering the Canadian policy of giving the minimum medals possible.

Actually we just don't hand out medals for doing nothing. Furthermore every thing you see on a U.S. isn't a medal. Most are ribbons and decorations. For example a soldier receives a ribbon for completing basic training and a ribbon for each weapon he qualifys on. We, as Canadians, don't feel the need to spatter brass and coloured ribbons on our troops to make them feel special.

 

[Doryman]

Re: RE: Hillier in Afghanistan

Damn impressive, especially considering the Canadian policy of giving the minimum medals possible.

Actually we just don't hand out medals for doing nothing. Furthermore every thing you see on a U.S. isn't a medal. Most are ribbons and decorations. For example a soldier receives a ribbon for completing basic training and a ribbon for each weapon he qualifys on. We, as Canadians, don't feel the need to spatter brass and coloured ribbons on our troops to make them feel special.

That's what I was getting at, highlighting the Canadian policy as opposed to the American one. I know some PO's who've been to the Gulf four times. They get one medal for that, and three metal clasps to clip on that no-one ( no civvie, I mean) really notices. The yanks get decorated just for signing the joining papers...

Hey Mogz, have you ever seen the "Kanadean Forces Medal Catalog" that was going around a while back? Funny stuff! I'll see if I can find it again.

 

[Johnny Utah]

His going there showed support for the Troops and their mission, what more could a Soldier ask from their top commander?

 

[Mogz]

RE: Hillier in Afghanista

Hey Mogz, have you ever seen the "Kanadean Forces Medal Catalog" that was going around a while back? Funny stuff! I'll see if I can find it again.

Haha yeah that was a riot. My two favs:

1. Medal awarded for NOT being posted to Germany. An additional number is awarded per request that is shot down.

2. 20 Years in the service and I haven't been overseas to get a medal, medal.