By Captain Chuck MacKinnon

Task Force 3-09 OMLT Kandak 2

AFGHANISTAN — Salaam Alkam (peace be upon you).

Finally we completed our deployment training and have arrived in Afghanistan.

Since the beginning of February, I have been one of the 130 reservists who conducted training in Edmonton and Shilo, Manitoba prior to September and October deployment to Afghanistan with Task Force 3-09 as part of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT).

There are almost 2,800 Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen—approximately 30 reservists from The Royal Westminster Regiment—who are part of the ISAF Task Force in Kandahar. Our deployment took about 30 hours travelling from Canada to Europe to the Middle East and finally into Afghanistan.

Most of us arrived as Afghanistan was experiencing a cooling trend—it was 40-45 Celsius during the day instead of 50-60. The travel is a major shock to a soldier’s body with the long hours, jet lag and the searing heat. When we arrived we were issued additional kit and attended lectures on operational security, counter narcotics, and reviewed basic tactics and techniques in dealing with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The movement to our Forward Operating Bases took place with support by our Canadian Air Force. We travelled on airbus, C-17 and then, under the escort of Canadian Griffon helicopters, our Chinook helicopter pilots provided the airlift. We departed Kandahar Airfield and headed across the rural countryside of Afghanistan.

As we flew across the green fields of grapes and marijuana, we saw a countryside spotted with grape-drying huts and indigenous buildings. The poppy fields are now absent of crops as the harvest is over. As we continued on our flight, we saw Afghans herding sheep, an occasional camel train followed by mud straw walls and various compounds.

Passing through this scenery reminds one that this is the Silk Road of Marco Polo’s time.

Besides the blazing heat, the dusty conditions give the most striking impression about this place. The sand is so fine—it’s like talcum powder covering everything in a fine dust as well as the foundation for most of the roads and houses.

The members of the Rotation 7 OMLT, most of whom are from the province of Quebec, were there to meet me and happy to see my team. They know it signals the last few days of their tour.

Acclimatization for the members of my team includes getting used to the heat and the numerous dialects and languages (Dari, Pashto and French Canadian). It is interesting is to overhear the Canadian veterans talking about how much has changed since 2006.

“That road wasn’t there before.”

“People have moved back to this area.”

Etcetera.

All these comments are very positive about Canadian soldiers’ impact and advancements in Afghanistan, and it seems we are making a difference.

My job is supporting and mentoring the local Afghan National Army (ANA) kandak or battalion we are working and living alongside. I help provide the officer commanding with current information and other support he needs to assist in mentoring the commanding officer of 2/1/205 Kandak, as well as our ANA company mentor teams.

The war is still clearly going on—evident through the regular IED reports (we find or neutralize many more than go off, but when an incident does happen, your ear is glued to the radio transmissions). You hear about the wanton disregard for life and property by the Taliban, who are threatening the innocent people who are just trying to raise and feed their families.

My major objective is to learn to communicate with the Afghans and try to help the Afghans to help themselves. My main function to the kandak that I’m mentoring is as a liaison between them and ISAF to obtain combat enablers such as medical evacuation. I spend part of my time mentoring the ISAF forces on how to interact with the Afghans to achieve the same aim—a country with a legitimate democratically-elected government, which has both security and stability.

I’ve only just begun my time here.

There will be many challenges ahead.

I hope that it will continue to be a positive experience but with some feelings of trepidation knowing that it is all very real and that mistakes can have serious consequences.

I hope to hear from some of you at home and my thoughts will be with you this Remembrance Day.

The NewsLeader will forward any messages to Capt. Chuck MacKinnon and other Westies. Send to editor@newwestnewsleader.com.