Canadians in Afghanistan face greater death threat than Americans in Iraq

http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=136a0596-562e-4e50-a56b-df0aeba844d2&p=1 ^

[Dixie Yooper]

They all died to preserve freedom and destroy terrorism. They did not die for statistics in an article.

[Abathar]

Perhaps they neglected to take a closer look at the training they are getting, that could be a large part of it.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Yep. They have let their military go to hell with training and equipment and they now compare their deaths to 2700 American's in Iraq not to mention over 300 in afghanistan. Give me a break.Tripe.

[Boris99]

"Perhaps they neglected to take a closer look at the training they are getting, that could be a large part of it."

I think this article is more a reflection of the smug brand of nationalism that exists in Canada, particularly on the left. A "No one does as much as Canada!!!" *chest thump* attitude. The article itself states "The report by the left-leaning Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives "

I'm not sure which leftists are more insufferable, ours or Canada's. American leftists despise their own country, while Canadian leftists are militant in their passion for the multi-cult, Euroweenie, version of Canada. The thing they both have in common is a hatred for the US.

[Tribune7]

Thank you Canada.

[TXnMA]

But when adjusted for the relative size of troop commitments, a Canadian soldier in Kandahar is nearly three times more likely to be killed in hostile action than a British soldier, and 4 1/2 times more likely than an American soldier in Afghanistan, the report said.

"Perhaps they neglected to take a closer look at the training they are getting, that could be a large part of it."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Exactly! My first thought when I saw the disproportionate ratio of Canadian to other deaths was,

"Deficient in training and tactics!"

~~~~~~~~~~~

Having said that, I honor our Canadian allies for their sacrifice -- and pray that their training and tactics will improve to the point that their casualties cease to happen...

[Dixie Yooper]

"Perhaps they neglected to take a closer look at the training they are getting, that could be a large part of it"

My comment in post #2 was more of a tribute to anyone who has died defending freedom around the world regardless of what country's military they were part of. Any country that is part of the Coalition in the Middle East should be appreciated by the citizens of the United States for helping us retaliate against those who attacked us on 9/11 or anyone that would attack us in the future.
Comments like yours only make those helping us, wonder why they would be willing to anyone in harm's way for our cause.

[recce guy]

"Deficient in training and tactics!"

I'm going to have to call you on this one. Anyone who has worked with the Canadian Forces will tell you that, while they are small, they are one of the most well trained and professional armies in the world. Ask any US commander who has had our troops working with or for him and I guarantee you he will disagree with you.

[Abathar]

"Comments like yours only make those helping us, wonder why they would be willing to anyone in harm's way for our cause."

No, that is entirely wrong. My comment was that if they are taking more causalities per ratio than other troops then there has to be a reason for it. Training and preparedness plays a huge role in those numbers.

I appreciate what Canada is doing by honoring their NATO agreements, but if budget cuts and substandard training is what is getting their guys killed then sticking your head in the sand wrapping yourself in the flag like this article does isn't going to help matters at all.

[TXnMA]

I'm going to have to call you on this one.

"Well-trained and professional" does not equate to "savvy and well-prepared for unconventional conflict".

OK... to what do you attribute this disproportionate casualty rate? Equipment? A foolhardy attitude? Selective attacks by the muzzies? Relative cowardice on the part of U.S. troops? The will of Allah? (See tagline...)

I completely agree that it is unacceptable to lose such fine troops and friends. I'm looking for root causes and a way to end this tragic loss...

Over...

[Dixie Yooper]

Instead of attacking the writer of the article who obviously has an agenda, you choose to insult the Canadian military and the citizens of Canada. Your looking a gift horse in the mouth and making crude comments about the gift.

[Abathar]

Hey, all I said was there should be a root cause to the problem. I have no problem with Canada, but if you would care to learn more about the budget cuts and condition of the equipment they use, the fact that we have to ferry their asses over there because they don't even have their own transport then you can get back to me. Learn more about what the professional soldier in Canada has to work with compared to the US or GB and then look at the death/troop ratio, then you might understand why they come up with stupid articles like this to put blame on others instead of themselves.

[recce guy]

"OK... to what do you attribute this disproportionate casualty rate? Equipment? A foolhardy attitude? Selective attacks by the muzzies? Relative cowardice on the part of U.S. troops? The will of Allah?"

- Canada is spearheading the attacks on the Talaban in Kandahar province. The area where the Soviets finally lost the battle in Afghanistan and decided to go home.
- Canadian forces are moving between several provinces helping to "Bail out" other forces who are not as heavily equipped.
- Canadians are using resupply convoys more than choppers which is dangerous but also provides more presence on the ground.
- Canada has become a target in the south because of the huge presence we hold there. We are pushing into areas where there has never been a government presence resulting in many selective retaliations.
- Canada will soon be the only country with tanks on the ground making us stand out as a target even more.
- Canada has also had some tragic friendly fire deaths.
- In short, Canada is doing disproportionately more ground fighting than any other force right now. Lot's high intensity battles leads to more casualties.

[hawkaw]

Excellent points - especially the ones about the friendly fire incidents and the moving into an area where the government has not gone!

[Dixie Yooper]

The Canadian government or military did not write this article. Some bleeding heart liberal by the name of David Pugliese with the CanWest News Service wrote it because he had to get a story out before the deadline and picked this one because he's a liberal and it fits the liberal cause.
Every time you respond to defend your comments, your comments become even more insulting to the Canadian government, military and the citizens of Canada.
Over the last few months, the Canadian military has been in the news for their efforts in Afghanistan and victorious battles against the Taliban. These victories have come at a price.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Because they're not allowed to carry guns?

[mrsmith]

Though Canada has admirably taken on a difficult new mission (unlike Germany most notably), it is not combat but operations that account for the disproportionate losses.

Out of 27 deaths in Kandahar "Thirteen soldiers have been killed on travel or
re-supply missions, while 10 have died in combat." according to the study.
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/Reports/2006/09/CanadasFallen/index.cfm?pa=BB736455


The tanks will help, maybe helicopters too.
It's sort of like they're fighting indians without a cavalry.

[exg]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/photogalleries/flash/afghan_0615.html?gallery=afghan_0615

[CaptainCanada]

Exactly! My first thought when I saw the disproportionate ratio of Canadian to other deaths was,
"Deficient in training and tactics!"

That's a pile of fuking bullshit...
A greater portion of our boys have been on the offensive against Taliban forces than any other allied force and the likelihood of combat related death or injury is therefore higher.
There's no need to disrespect our troops, their training or how they are being led.
They're doing a fine job and we're proud of them