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3 PPCLI Troops Ensure PRT Activation Team's Safety
Article and Photos by Captain Richard Perreault
Captain Geoff Mundy, Platoon Commander of the Defence and Security Platoon (D&S Pl) of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Activation Team (PRT AT), gives convoy orders to the members of his platoon prior departing for the PRT site, July 21.
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN - Once again since Operation APOLLO , members of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) are back in Afghanistan. This time around they are here to provide security for the Provincial Reconstruction Team Activation Team (PRT AT) as they prepare for the upcoming deployment of the PRT in August as part of Operation ARCHER .
The group of about 40 infantry soldiers are from the 3 rd Battalion, PPCLI, from Edmonton, Alberta.
"Our role here is to provide security during road moves between Kandahar Airfield (KAF) and the PRT site, perform security and general duty tasks at KAF, and escort jingle trucks as they come in and out of this base," said Captain Geoff Mundy, Platoon Commander of the Defence and Security Platoon (D&S Pl) of the Op Archer AT.
Ready to roll! Members of the Defence and Security Platoon (D&S Pl) of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Activation Team (PRT AT), depart the Kandahar Airfield in their Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (LUVWs), also known as G-Wagons, for the PRT site on the outskirts of Kandahar City, July 21.
While these tasks are not a change from what these soldiers are trained to do, they did receive additional training in dealing with a threat unique to this area of operations - improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
"It is the first time we've deployed with an activation team but the tasks are similar to what we train for at our unit," added Capt Mundy. "One of the threats here is IEDs. They take many forms and are difficult to defend against. We do use a wide array of defensive measures and have received training on how to mitigate and combat the risks posed by such devices."
While some of the D&S Pl soldiers are veterans of an Afghanistan mission, this is a first for a few troops, including Private Marcel Regier.
"I have been with 3 PPCLI for three years and so far this deployment has been the most interesting," said Pte Regier. "Of course, you have to get used to the heat but we did receive a lot of briefings about that and the general threat to expect."
This group of 3PPCLI soldiers will return home when actual PRT personnel arrive and the mission of the Activation Team is completed. While their time in theatre is relatively short, they still provide a significant capability to the PRT AT and have contributed to the successful completion of the task to get the area ready for the next group of Canadian soldiers scheduled to arrive in a few short weeks.
The AT consists of specialized troops from all across Canada. Most are from the Canadian Forces Joint Headquarters (CFJHQ) and the Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment (CFJSR), at CFB Kingston, but others are drawn from the 1 st Engineer Support Unit (1 ESU) in Moncton, the 3 rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) in Edmonton, and the 3 rd Canadian Support Group (3CSG) in Montreal.
