Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/07/2009 (5595 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Home is in sight for the Manitoba and Alberta soldiers – and their civilian support personnel – fighting and building in Afghanistan.
It’s been a gruelling six months.
The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo and Edmonton, has had about 2,000 soldiers in Kandahar province, acknowledged as the most dangerous spot in the war–torn country. In fact, as the soldiers prepared for their trip home, three of their comrades – combat engineers attached to the PPCLI – were already on their way, their coffins loaded on a military transport that will have their bodies home in Canada tonight.
Along with the ever–present danger of death, the soldiers have endured the heat and dust of an Afghan summer.
Winnipeg Free Press photojournalist Joe Bryksa recently completed a two–week assignment in Afghanistan. Here is a sample of what he saw as he followed the Canadians in Kandahar. There are many more photos on a special web page, www.winnipegfreepress2.com/warzone/
There will be a welcome–home celebration this fall in Brandon for the veterans. For some, they will be completing their third tour in Afghanistan.
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- CAnadian soldier from 2PPCLI from Shilo, Manitoba makes his way towards meeting. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Canadian soldier from 2PPCLI from Shilo, Manitoba guards area as we arrive at meeting . Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives. Canadian military secure area before meeting as Afghanistan National Police roll by- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Sign outside on wall warns that no weapons allowed. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives. - Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- All Afgans go barefoot to shura. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan-A Canadian Forces soldier talks to Afghanistan leaders. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan-.Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- ( Note faces of those who can not be indentified have been blurred)- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- A Afghanistan Community leader listens to talk.- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan-Afghanistan community leader listens to meeting. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- A leaders weathered feet as Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- A Afghanistan National Army member keeps eye on meeting. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan-A Afghanistan community leader listens to talks- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- ( EDS note face blurred of man who can not be identified) Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan National Police cheif from area speaks tio shura . Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- A Afghanistan local leader. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives. - Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan- Afghanistan community leaders leave meeting meeting. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan-Afghanistan National Police wave to Canadian troops as they roll by. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS WINNIPEG OUT-Panjwayi District, Afghanistan-Canadian troops from Shilo, Manitoba 2nd PPCLI guard area. Afghanistan§ leaders from across the area gathered as they do each week for a shura a word for "consultation".. A guarded meeting where locals bring concerns§ to the Provincial Reconconstruction Team (PRT) and§ military representatives.- Aug 07, 2008