Posted on 03/05/2002 11:31:05 AM PST by Oxylus
Morale among 107 soldiers from a Winnipeg-based battalion is positive even though they are headed for what is becoming an increasingly tense situation in Afghanistan, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.
"From what I can see, their morale is very high. They are ready to go," said Sub-Lieutenant Petra Smith, a public affairs officer for the Department of National Defence, told globeandmail.com from Winnipeg where the soldiers were preparing to leave mid-month.
On Monday, it was learned that Canadian snipers from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry as well as special-forces members from Canada's elite JTF2 commando unit are involved in a military operation.
It is the first confirmation of Canadian involvement in the high-altitude fight that involves soldiers from at least seven nations, although there have been no Canadian casualties, military officials say.
SLt. Smith said there is a "general sense" that the soldiers are prepared for the mission.
Their tasks will include basic security operations, assisting in delivering humanitarian aid, and "combat activities," SLt. Smith said.
The 107 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group, are making some last-minute preparations, including ensuring dog tags and other identification is in order before they leave Winnipeg by mid-month, she said Tuesday.
They will be joined by another 23 members of the Commanding Control Information System based in Kingston, making up a contingent of 130.
When the soldiers arrive in Kandahar, they will join 750 Edmonton soldiers and will comprise a full complement of three rifle companies, SLt. Smith said.
The Canadian snipers and Joint Task Force 2 soldiers are deployed with U.S. and other allied forces to the remote, high-altitude, snow-covered mountains near Shahi Kot where some of the most intense battles of the war killed at least seven U.S. soldiers Monday. At least 40 others were injured.
But it may only be a matter of time before Canadians are injured or killed, said Dale Grant of the Defence Policy Review.
"I think it's inevitable that if we're there for six months ... but it will be the sniper or the landmine, it won't be anything, dare I say it, horribly dramatic like major battles," Mr. Grant told CBC Newsworld. "We've already seen the Kandahar base has been sniped at or mortared at. You only need one or two people or a kid with a rifle. I expect to see outbursts of this type for the next year or so.
Mr. Grant speculated that Canadian operations probably include a JTF2 squad of about 10 to 12 people probably functioning as forward air controllers to call in bombers along with the U.S. special coalition forces.
Mr. Grant said the Canadians are properly trained for the mission.
"Yes, definitely, that is their military job."
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