Canada: - Our boys are ready to roll 1,000 soldiers mobilized -- next stop, Afghanistan

Canadian Press via Toronto Sun ^ | November 15, 2001

[Clive]

OTTAWA -- Canada's on the move.

About 1,000 soldiers at CFB Edmonton were told yesterday to be ready to head for Afghanistan on 48 hours' notice.

Warning orders went out to members of the 3rd battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry around dinner time.

It was not clear how soon the soldiers might set out. One source said they could be on the ground as early as the middle of next week, but little is certain because events in Afghanistan are unfolding with dizzying speed.

The force consists of three infantry rifle companies, a small engineer squadron, a headquarters detachment, a combat support company, and an administrative company.

The Canadians will likely be assigned to help stabilize the war-torn country and escort aid convoys, Defence Minister Art Eggleton said last night.

But their exact duties are still being worked out because the situation is changing rapidly since Taliban forces were unexpectedly routed in the past three days.

Plans are being worked out with the U.S. army central command in Tampa, Fla., which is coordinating the war on terrorism in response to the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Earlier yesterday, British soldiers were put on similar notice. Canadian troops will work with U.S. and British units.

It was not clear whether the Canadians would fly to the region in C-130 Hercules transports or being carried there in U.S. air force planes.

This latest commitment brings to 3,000 the number of Canadian sailors, soldiers and air personnel earmarked for the anti-terror war.

Canada earlier dispatched five warships to the region, with another to fill in with a NATO naval squadron.

There was no immediate indication of how long the Canadians will be needed in Afghanistan.

[BluH2o]

I hate their socialist tendencies and sending 1,000 men after the fact seems like symbolism over substance.

I might point out that Britain had troops (SAS) on the ground in Afghanistan before the US Special Forces arrived. It might interest you to know that Canada is part of the British Commonwealth. Further, all though deployed, regular US Army troops and Marines are still waiting orders to mount up ... it could very well be that US ground forces and Canadian troops, with quick deployment capability, will hit the ground running in Afghanistan about the same time. As I stated in an earlier post, Canadian troops are well equipped to handle severe winter weather ... they will acquit themselves well ... they're excellent troops.

[Dr. Luv]

Groovygomer is NOT representative of the view of the vast majority of conservative Americans. First of all, he's not a smart as the rest of us and secondly, he seems to not understand that Canadians long ago committed troops (JTF2 Special Forces units that may well be on the ground already) navy frigates and air support. This latest thousand is in addition to what has already been sent. Additionally, Canada may well end up having more troops on the ground and in harms way at this early stage than we do.

Any stooge that advocates the annexing of our closest ally and largest trading partner is a buffoon and bumpkin that embarrasses the entire conservative movement

[BornOnTheFourth]

An-I-love-Canada-and-have-family-in-the-RCAF-read-for-later-BUMP!

[Redcloak]

This is some sort of SCTV bit, right?

"Like, OK... eh."

[norton]

Gee, sorry.
Guess I'll have to start writing my congressladies about barricades and infantry along the northern perimeter.

On your behalf, you're right about the known 9/11 crew but it might be considered a part of being a good neighbor to at least make an effort to avoid being a conduit for all the other illegals that DO come from the north.

[Mama_Bear]

When friends reach out to help, most people are appreciative, but I guess there's no pleasing some arrogant SOB's

Well, I want you, and the other Canadians in this forum, to know that this American is appreciative.

Some of the negative comments on this thread are embarrassing, to say the least. This is not the sentiment of most FReepers here.

[norton]

I might add that those 1,000 troops would be far better utilized doing a security job on this continent than escorting yet-to-appear UN aid convoys in Afganistan.
But that would be whining.

[ST.LOUIE1]

"Making fun of socialist Canada is the essence of conservatism"

Sad proof that not all Freepers have an above-average IQ...

LOL!!!!

You're very perceptive.Go get 'em, Doc!

[xJones]

...but I see real hatred of Canada here and that makes me very sad.

Don't be sad, there's just a few wannabe (half) wits making idiot comments. Maybe we can all stop and sing a round of "Oh, Canada" which I was taught in a Texas grade school.

Your people are going in harm's way, God protect them.

[cdw19390]

Sir Keep the buggering French Frogs out, you may have a bit of an army then.

[canuckler]

It is sad to read the anti Canadian horesepucky on this thread. I assure the Canuck baiters that at Kap Yong in Korea, the US troops flanking the PPCLI were very glad that the "pansies" held thier section of the line and did not bug out thereby saving many Yankee Doodle asses. Check out the PPCLI website and find out why they recieved a Presidentialm citation. Also in Normandy, while Patton was running around shooting up German cookshacks with his pearl handled revolvers, the Canucks kicked the shit out of the cream of the German Panzer brigades at Caen and Falaise. Some of you people make me wretch with your basic stupidity.

[Mama_Bear]

You are very welcome.

[mjk19]

Supposedly during the bombing of Serbia the Canadian CF-18s did not have up-to-date communications equipment so when Canadians were in the air the NATO forces had to use unsecured communications. Hopefully, this unit is better equipped but I doubt it since Canada is more interested in sending troops to wear blue helmets than spending the money to be an integral part of NATO.