A Squadron Hits the Ground Running!
With the end of a fast and furious first couple of weeks in theatre, the soldiers of A Sqn have taken a pause to reflect on the activities of the last couple of weeks. The Sqn arrived into Afghanistan after a very long and exhausting flight. After a brief stay in Kandahar Air Field to draw kit, conduct briefings and buy a coffee or two from Tim Horton’s on the boardwalk, the troops were quickly ferried out to Forward Operating Base Masum Ghar, which at least for the foreseeable future, will be the Sqn’s home away from home. With access to showers, laundry, fresh food and hockey the troops want for little and Squadron Sergeant Major Pichie wasted little time squaring away accommodations and a rest area for the troops. No time was wasted once soldiers arrived in the Forward Operating Base and almost as soon as they had dropped their kit off, the troops were out conducting operations with their B Sqn counterparts as part of their Area of Operation familiarization and handover. Although B Sqn had not been in the Area of Operation long, they were able to provide excellent advice and guidance as a result of their experiences which was appreciated by all in the Sqn.
After a quick but thorough handover, the Sqn saw their B Sqn counterparts off and quickly threw itself into operations, conducting Vehicle Check Points, Observation Posts and route security tasks. The Sqn was also keen to begin partnered operations with the Afghan National Army and Afghan Uniformed Police, and it did not take long to establish a good rapport with our brothers in arms. A few Sqn members even ended up with some interesting nicknames, with Sgt Townsend re-named Sgt “Tooney” by members of the Afghan National Army Weapons Company. Overall, the first few weeks for the Sqn were a success and with the first soldiers soon departing on Home Leave Travel Assistance, A Sqn is well and truly into the swing of things.
After a quick but thorough handover, the Sqn saw their B Sqn counterparts off and quickly threw itself into operations, conducting Vehicle Check Points, Observation Posts and route security tasks. The Sqn was also keen to begin partnered operations with the Afghan National Army and Afghan Uniformed Police, and it did not take long to establish a good rapport with our brothers in arms. A few Sqn members even ended up with some interesting nicknames, with Sgt Townsend re-named Sgt “Tooney” by members of the Afghan National Army Weapons Company. Overall, the first few weeks for the Sqn were a success and with the first soldiers soon departing on Home Leave Travel Assistance, A Sqn is well and truly into the swing of things.
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