My Second Tour in Afghanistan
Cpl Ovais Ahmed, Recce Sqn, SHQ
Cpl Ovais Ahmed, Recce Sqn, SHQ
My name is Cpl Ovais Ahmed and I'm a Royal Canadian Dragoon (RCD). The Dragoons is an armoured reconnaissance unit based out of CFB Petawawa and my position on this deployment is a LAV III, 25mm gunner. I’m what you call a “Front line soldier”. I'm always outside of ISAF’s main base, known as Kandahar Airfield, living in camps that are spread out throughout Kandahar province. I’m currently deployed to Afghanistan as a part of Task Force 3-09, 1 PPCLI Battle Group. This battle group is based out of CFB Edmonton and it’s a winter season deployment. I’m 24 years old and will be turning 25 during my deployment. This is my second deployment over the duration of 2 ½ years in which I will be spending my birthday yet again in Afghanistan.
Since I arrived here, a significant amount of things have changed with regards to my new mission and the area that I will be working in. I've been on the ground in Afghanistan for 5 weeks so far and have done more interaction with the Afghan people than I have throughout my entire previous deployment. Our overall mission here for the next 7 months is to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. Undergoing this mission takes a lot of patience, devotion, and strength to aid the Afghan people in changing what is an
Since I arrived here, a significant amount of things have changed with regards to my new mission and the area that I will be working in. I've been on the ground in Afghanistan for 5 weeks so far and have done more interaction with the Afghan people than I have throughout my entire previous deployment. Our overall mission here for the next 7 months is to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. Undergoing this mission takes a lot of patience, devotion, and strength to aid the Afghan people in changing what is an
MCpl Matt Scheepers watches his arcs while out during an OP
ungoverned, warlord controlled, insurgent populated land and to helping the people of Afghanistan influence a free, safe and prosperous country. There are always two sides to a story and I hope by the end of my article, my words don’t just limit you to a general understanding, but portray the true meaning of the accomplishments and sacrifices our Canadian men and women made and make.
I was gearing-up and preparing to depart on a 4 km dismount patrol. This was my first time being completely exposed to the dangers and risks since my last deployment. As we entered the village that was only 10 minutes away, the French-Canadian soldiers who we came to replace were greeting the villagers with the Afghan cultural way and were interacting with the children. The outcome was very positive and this opened my eyes on how something as simple as a smile or a hello went a long way with the local populous. One of the Sergeant’s on the patrol, who was the crew commander that mine was to replace, would remove his helmet when talking to the elders of the village. From my previous deployment, this was something that was never even thought of due to the risks of being vulnerable to attacks. The elders were very co-operative and even invited him into their homes for Chai (the Pashto word for Tea). I was all fired up on adrenalin due to my previous experiences of being in the middle of a village. I was constantly looking around outside of our position trying to scan for any people who would pose a threat to us, including ignoring all of the children who approached me just to say hello and offer me a handshake. After a while I came to feel the vibe of the people in the village and realized they were very happy that the Canadians were living next to their village and how they appreciated our presence and continued to provide us with general information. Throughout the patrol in the village and aside from being completely soaked in sweat in the 38 degree temperature, it was a very amazing feeling. It was a feeling of accomplishment, mixed with joy. To have children following you, singing songs and trying to hold your hands to attempting to make conversation with you, is a very unique type of feeling.
I'm currently still in Afghanistan now and still do the same type of patrol on average once every 10 days, all in different villages with different people. Not every village and every Afghan feels and thinks the same way, however I always see the majority of the people acknowledging our intentions to helping them and greatly appreciate us Canadians being here. I have a long way to go until my replacement arrives in Afghanistan, however, in the meantime, I’m looking at things one day at a time. This is one event of many that I have shared with you in this article and I hope it gave you an idea of what foot soldiers are really doing in the front lines in Afghanistan.
I was gearing-up and preparing to depart on a 4 km dismount patrol. This was my first time being completely exposed to the dangers and risks since my last deployment. As we entered the village that was only 10 minutes away, the French-Canadian soldiers who we came to replace were greeting the villagers with the Afghan cultural way and were interacting with the children. The outcome was very positive and this opened my eyes on how something as simple as a smile or a hello went a long way with the local populous. One of the Sergeant’s on the patrol, who was the crew commander that mine was to replace, would remove his helmet when talking to the elders of the village. From my previous deployment, this was something that was never even thought of due to the risks of being vulnerable to attacks. The elders were very co-operative and even invited him into their homes for Chai (the Pashto word for Tea). I was all fired up on adrenalin due to my previous experiences of being in the middle of a village. I was constantly looking around outside of our position trying to scan for any people who would pose a threat to us, including ignoring all of the children who approached me just to say hello and offer me a handshake. After a while I came to feel the vibe of the people in the village and realized they were very happy that the Canadians were living next to their village and how they appreciated our presence and continued to provide us with general information. Throughout the patrol in the village and aside from being completely soaked in sweat in the 38 degree temperature, it was a very amazing feeling. It was a feeling of accomplishment, mixed with joy. To have children following you, singing songs and trying to hold your hands to attempting to make conversation with you, is a very unique type of feeling.
I'm currently still in Afghanistan now and still do the same type of patrol on average once every 10 days, all in different villages with different people. Not every village and every Afghan feels and thinks the same way, however I always see the majority of the people acknowledging our intentions to helping them and greatly appreciate us Canadians being here. I have a long way to go until my replacement arrives in Afghanistan, however, in the meantime, I’m looking at things one day at a time. This is one event of many that I have shared with you in this article and I hope it gave you an idea of what foot soldiers are really doing in the front lines in Afghanistan.
A tank from the LdSH(RC) moves past our position
Some locals go about their daily business
The Air Force always likes to come out and help
Copyright 2009 Royal Canadian Dragoons, All Rights Reserved
