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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/03/05/371007-cp.html
Canadian soldiers test new jeeps
By LES PERREAUX
A Mercedes G Wagon sits on the tarmac at the Kabul airport on Friday. (CP/Les Perreaux)
KABUL (CP) - A company of Canadian soldiers backed up by new armoured jeeps swept through southwestern Kabul on Saturday night in a major "surge patrol" designed to keep down crime in the neighbourhood.
The seven-hour mission by dozens of Canadian soldiers was among the largest operations by Canadian forces since they arrived in Afghanistan in August.
The mission was also the first for the G-Wagon, the beefy four-wheel drive vehicle that is replacing the much-criticized Iltis jeep.
While Saturday‘s sweep was completed without incident or arrest, the mission was a good proving ground for the G Wagon as it negotiated Kabul‘s rutted and sewage-filled streets.
The strengths and weaknesses of both the new and old vehicle were quickly apparent to a small group of soldiers from Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment as they launched their part of the mission.
The plan for the patrol was to have about a half-dozen soldiers on foot trailed by a pair of G Wagons for a rapid evacuation in case of trouble. However the G Wagons could not fit down a narrow street where the patrol was to start.
Two of the smaller Iltis jeeps were sent down the same street. However they soon ran into a ditch that cut off the route and the rest of the patrol was done on foot without a vehicle nearby. One Iltis became temporarily stuck in a hole. Its engine had to be revved up to a screaming pitch to move again.
"We had to have a change of plan," said Lieut. Dave Roussell, who then led his section on a quiet seven-kilometre walk.
"Each vehicle has its strengths and weaknesses," he said.
Maj. Claude Langlois, commander of Bravo Company, said he conceived the "surge patrol" after hearing from local residents and the Kabul City Police that Saturday night is a bad time for crime in his area of operation.
While the operation was completed without incident, a couple of Roussell‘s troops caused a stir when they accidentally walked into the courtyard of a house, startling a woman inside.
Soon a dozen men from the household came out to confront the troops. After an explanation and a few handshakes, the men seemed to realize the soldiers had taken a wrong turn.
A few hours later, the troops assembled at an intersection to be picked up by the G Wagons and a handful of Iltis jeeps. One rattling Iltis struggled to make it up a short incline, its driver racing the engine to move it uphill.
"Listen to that. You can hear it coming from a mile away," said Sgt. Emile Deschamps, one of Roussell‘s men. "The Iltis has done its time."
After Roussell and Deschamps returned to camp early Sunday morning, Langlois described how the new vehicle will change the way his company patrols Kabul.
He said he expects more foot patrols now, with the G Wagons following nearby in case of trouble.
"We‘re going to use it as a kind of a bunker - a mobile bunker," Langlois said.
"It (the G Wagon) offers a lot of protection and gives us added confidence," he said. "The old vehicle gave us a lot of worry because we were so exposed. The new vehicle will almost allow us to take the first hit, because we are so well protected, and then react."
The first 18 Mercedes G Wagons arrived in Kabul on Friday. Another 42 of the jeeps will arrive in Afghanistan over the next week. A total of 802 G Wagons with various types of equipment and armour are being delivered to Canadian troops over the next year.
Canadian soldiers test new jeeps
By LES PERREAUX
A Mercedes G Wagon sits on the tarmac at the Kabul airport on Friday. (CP/Les Perreaux)
KABUL (CP) - A company of Canadian soldiers backed up by new armoured jeeps swept through southwestern Kabul on Saturday night in a major "surge patrol" designed to keep down crime in the neighbourhood.
The seven-hour mission by dozens of Canadian soldiers was among the largest operations by Canadian forces since they arrived in Afghanistan in August.
The mission was also the first for the G-Wagon, the beefy four-wheel drive vehicle that is replacing the much-criticized Iltis jeep.
While Saturday‘s sweep was completed without incident or arrest, the mission was a good proving ground for the G Wagon as it negotiated Kabul‘s rutted and sewage-filled streets.
The strengths and weaknesses of both the new and old vehicle were quickly apparent to a small group of soldiers from Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment as they launched their part of the mission.
The plan for the patrol was to have about a half-dozen soldiers on foot trailed by a pair of G Wagons for a rapid evacuation in case of trouble. However the G Wagons could not fit down a narrow street where the patrol was to start.
Two of the smaller Iltis jeeps were sent down the same street. However they soon ran into a ditch that cut off the route and the rest of the patrol was done on foot without a vehicle nearby. One Iltis became temporarily stuck in a hole. Its engine had to be revved up to a screaming pitch to move again.
"We had to have a change of plan," said Lieut. Dave Roussell, who then led his section on a quiet seven-kilometre walk.
"Each vehicle has its strengths and weaknesses," he said.
Maj. Claude Langlois, commander of Bravo Company, said he conceived the "surge patrol" after hearing from local residents and the Kabul City Police that Saturday night is a bad time for crime in his area of operation.
While the operation was completed without incident, a couple of Roussell‘s troops caused a stir when they accidentally walked into the courtyard of a house, startling a woman inside.
Soon a dozen men from the household came out to confront the troops. After an explanation and a few handshakes, the men seemed to realize the soldiers had taken a wrong turn.
A few hours later, the troops assembled at an intersection to be picked up by the G Wagons and a handful of Iltis jeeps. One rattling Iltis struggled to make it up a short incline, its driver racing the engine to move it uphill.
"Listen to that. You can hear it coming from a mile away," said Sgt. Emile Deschamps, one of Roussell‘s men. "The Iltis has done its time."
After Roussell and Deschamps returned to camp early Sunday morning, Langlois described how the new vehicle will change the way his company patrols Kabul.
He said he expects more foot patrols now, with the G Wagons following nearby in case of trouble.
"We‘re going to use it as a kind of a bunker - a mobile bunker," Langlois said.
"It (the G Wagon) offers a lot of protection and gives us added confidence," he said. "The old vehicle gave us a lot of worry because we were so exposed. The new vehicle will almost allow us to take the first hit, because we are so well protected, and then react."
The first 18 Mercedes G Wagons arrived in Kabul on Friday. Another 42 of the jeeps will arrive in Afghanistan over the next week. A total of 802 G Wagons with various types of equipment and armour are being delivered to Canadian troops over the next year.
