WINNIPEG – Almost a dozen Manitoba-based soldiers made their way home from Afghanistan on Monday afternoon, arriving first at 17 Wing base in Winnipeg.
Most of the returnees are from Shilo; one is a reservist from Kenora.
The soldiers were in Afghanistan to train the country’s troops and police. That mission, the Canadian Forces’ final troop commitment in Afghanistan, ends in March.
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“There’s eight million school kids that can go to school now,” said Master Cpl. Nathan Cousineau, who returned from his third tour of duty. “I’d like to think that Canada had a part in it, so it’s a good feeling to be part of that legacy.”
Canadian troops first arrived in Afghanistan in 2002 and served in combat and non-combat roles in several parts of the country.
The returning soldiers were based in Kabul, where just last week two Canadian civilians were killed in a suicide bombing. Soldiers know they’re leaving during a time of instability.
“The security in Kabul is still a sort of critical point right now,” said Major Ryan Stimpon, who just completed his third tour of duty. “I think it’s going to take a long time for that security situation to quell itself.”
Altogether, 143 soldiers will return home for good this week.
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