CFB SHILO, Man. — The last deployment of Canadian soldiers to the Afghanistan conflict began at Canadian Forces Base Shilo on Monday.
“This is the end of a chapter in Canadian history,” Major Craig Butler said as he prepared to leave on his third tour to the war-ravaged country.
“This is a bit different. We’re on the NATO training mission as opposed to more combat mission … I’m looking forward to seeing some of the changes and progress.”
A total of 700 Canadian soldiers will take part in Operation Attention, which will train and mentor Afghan army troops and police. There are 350 soldiers leaving from CFB Shilo this week.
The soldiers will not take part in combat missions. They’re expected to return in March 2014.
Capt. Adam Davey is leaving his two-year-old son to take part in the mission.
“I haven’t been before,” Davey said. “It’ll be difficult for my family for sure. Six months away from daddy … They’ll be all right.”
Canada’s combat role in Afghanistan ended in 2011. The Canadian Forces have been sending troops to Afghanistan for more than a decade.
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