A departure ceremony was held at CFB Valcartier, home to members of the Royal 22nd Regiment, or Van Doos. The troops then boarded a plane under a light rain at Jean Lesage Airport in Quebec City.
About 2,000 soldiers from Valcartier will be sent to the Canadian base at Kandahar throughout July and August, replacing most of the troops from across Canada who are now stationed there.
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor was in attendance on Sunday, offering encouragement and support.
"Know that you are in our hearts and in our thoughts. Know that we are proud of you," he told the troops.
Canada has 2,500 soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan. Since the war began in 2002, approximately 14,900 troops have been to the region. Troops are rotated every six to nine months.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/07/15/afghanistan-van-doos.html
Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002.
About 2,000 soldiers from Valcartier will be sent to the Canadian base at Kandahar throughout July and August, replacing most of the troops from across Canada who are now stationed there.
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor was in attendance on Sunday, offering encouragement and support.
"Know that you are in our hearts and in our thoughts. Know that we are proud of you," he told the troops.
Canada has 2,500 soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan. Since the war began in 2002, approximately 14,900 troops have been to the region. Troops are rotated every six to nine months.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/07/15/afghanistan-van-doos.html
Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002.
