Air Force delivering supplies to troops in Afghanistan

By Holly Bridges

Members of 2 Air Movements Squadron loaded a container with Sears catalogues for delivery to troops in Kandahar on October 25.  The soldiers will be able to use the catalogues to order Christmas gifts for friends and loved ones while deployed to Afghanistan.  Left to right : Corporal Alex Tracey, Private Marie - Pierre Tremblay, Sergeant Bernie Langlois and Corporal Jason Arsenault. Photo: Cpl Tom Parker, 8 Wing Imaging Section

8 Wing Trenton is a hotbed of activity these days as air and ground crews are busy building, rigging and delivering loads of supplies to Canadian Forces troops in Afghanistan and southwest Asia. 

The CC-150 Polaris (Airbus A310) and the CC-130 Hercules are both being used to deliver supplies to Canadian troops serving in theatre, including Camp Mirage in southwest Asia where Air Force personnel are stationed in support of Operation Athena. 

Many of the loads have begun to arrive and will continue to be built and transported out of 8 Wing Trenton in the weeks to come.   Meanwhile, personnel from various other Air Force wings are continuing to support the CF mission in theatre as air and ground crew.

The mission of Operation Athena, Canada's contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), is to help maintain security in Kandahar and its surrounding areas so the Government of Afghanistan and UN agencies can rebuild the country.  Approximately 230 Canadian Forces members are deployed in southwest Asia in support of the mission.

The Air Force has been operating at Camp Mirage since October 2001.

	In theatre, Corporal Luc Chapdelaine (front) and Sergeant April Roach, from 2 Air Movements Squadron at 8 Wing Trenton secure a pallet with tie-down straps for shipment. Both members are deployed to Camp Mirage, in southwest Asia in support of Operation ATHENA.  Photo by Sgt Roxanne Clowe, Canadian Forces Combat Camera
	Master Corporal Rick Abram, from 8 Air Maintenance Squadron at 8 Wing Trenton de-arms a CC-130 Hercules aircraft at Camp Mirage. Photo by Sgt Roxanne Clowe, Canadian Forces Combat Camera
	Corporal Chris Campbell, from 8 Air Maintenance Squadron based at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario re-fuels a CC-130 Hercules aircraft at Camp Mirage. Photo by Sgt Roxanne Clowe, Canadian Forces Combat Camera
	Corporal Tony Russell, from 413 Squadron based at 14 Wing Greenwood checks the fuel gauges during re-fuelling of a CC-130 Hercules aircraft at Camp Mirage. Photo by Sgt Roxanne Clowe, Canadian Forces Combat Camera