Articles

By Lt (N) Pierrette LeDrew

One day the 8 Wing Trenton flight line is sombre with the homecoming of another Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan, while the next it's filled with soldiers kissing their loved ones goodbye as they head off to Afghanistan for their six month tour of duty.

            In an atmosphere charged with emotion, families and friends gathered at the 8 Wing passenger terminal earlier this week to bid goodbye and farewell to their loved ones as 140 Canadian Forces members boarded a CC-150 Polaris en route to Southwest Asia.  It was one of 19 flights the Canadian Air Force is conducting to deliver 2,200 Army soldiers to Afghanistan during this latest rotation of troops.  The rotation began on July 25 and is expected to finish on September 3.

While some soldiers were pacing nervously, others sat stoically, waiting for the boarding announcement that for some, could not come soon enough, and for others, would come too soon.

Many of the younger soldiers looked determined and ready to go. Many others looked thoughtful, as though they were reflecting on what the near future would bring for them and their loved ones. Most were putting on a brave face, trying to reassure someone who cares for them, and possibly themselves as well, that everything would be ok.

Soldiers played with their small children and hugged their spouses one last time; parents, whose children were leaving for the harsh reality of military service in Afghanistan, held on to them as long as they could as they accompanied them to the departure gate.

There were a lot of smiles, but also a lot tears. A lot of laughter, but also a lot of serious moments. Whether it was with a last shared cigarette, a family picture, or an extended hug and a kiss, people tried to hold on to each other and each other's memory as long as they could, in the hope that it would carry them safely through the next several months.

Finally, the call for boarding came, and with it, the last touch to a loved one. It was an emotional time for many, mostly from the crowd of family and friends left behind.

Family and friends, who had gathered along the fence outside of the terminal after the final boarding call, applauded and cheered as the soldiers walked onto the tarmac and towards the awaiting plane. Many of the soldiers turned and waved, hoping to get one last glimpse of a loving face. As they neared the aircraft, the troops were met by acting Wing Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Debbie Miller, and by the new Commanding Officer of the Land Force Doctrine and Training System, Colonel Sylvain Sirois.

With the sight of many Canadian flags hanging on the fence and flapping in the wind to spur them on, the troops stepped off Canadian soil and onto an aircraft that would take them to an uncertain, but hopefully safe future.

So far, twenty-six Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan since CF personnel were deployed there in 2002.