Outside the wire, into a war

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/08/2009 (5583 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ARGHANDAB DISTRICT, Afghanistan – With a large contingent from Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Horse Reserve unit, I witnessed first–hand what it is like to go "outside the wire" into Arghandab District. It’s a war zone.

Slipping on my battle helmet and steel–plated body armour, I joined five Canadian soldiers in one of many military vehicles that were part of a heavily–armed guard protecting a convoy of supply trucks on their way to NATO forward operating bases.

Inside a Canadian RG–31 armoured vehicle, we left the comforts of the well–protected Kandahar Airfield compound and headed toward outlying areas past Kandahar City. Strapped in by a five–point harness, squished alongside some of our country’s finest soldiers, I quickly learned how they cope with the dangers they face everyday in Afghanistan.

We were the lead vehicle in a long line of trucks and military vehicles as we rolled down the highway. When our driver saw vehicles coming towards us on the highway, he would drive straight at them, forcing them to pull over so our fleet could pass safely.

This is a survival technique, since suicide bombers here have been known to drive close to military vehicles and detonate explosives. More than cars and trucks are suspect, as there have been instances of explosives on motorcycles and bicycles.

And if that is not enough stress, there’s also the threat of Taliban ambush attacks and the well–known improvised explosive devices. There are many culverts on the highways in Afghanistan and each one could carry a deadly load of explosives.

Aside from the obvious dangers of traveling in a war zone, the trip gave me a rare view of the everyday life of Afghans. Soldiers told me that because of their efforts, the people of Afghanistan have more rights and freedoms.