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Afghanistan by night

Katherine O'Neill, June 9, 2008 at 6:09 AM EST

At a ramp ceremony held Sunday night to bid farewell to Captain Jonathan Snyder, I ran into several soldiers I've met during my trip to Afghanistan. I couldn't help but think of them when Capt. Snyder's flag-draped casket finally disappeared into an awaiting Hercules that will make the long trip to Canada. The 26-year-old officer was accidentally killed during a night patrol on Saturday in the Zhari district, a dangerous rural area west of Kandahar, after he tumbled into an open well.

Night security patrols are common, and most of the soldiers I saw last night have been on countless such marches. At this time of year, soldiers generally like travelling by foot at night better because the temperature cools down considerably. They also have infra-red technology to help guide the way.

But by no means, is it easier or safer. They are weighed down by their weapon and gear often weighing more than 27 kilograms, all while trying to keep an eye out for the enemy.

I've been out on numerous night patrols with soldiers in both Zhari and Panjwai districts, and every time my biggest fear was that I would accidentally step on a homemade bomb or landmine. I never stopped staring at the ground. Neither did most of the soldiers I was with. It doesn't help that the terrain, which is already difficult to traverse by day, becomes a rural obstacle course of small waterways, farmers' fields and ditches.

If the moon isn't out, it almost feels like you are walking into a never-ending hole. Because electricity is a rare luxury in this part of Afghanistan, there are no street lights or illuminated homes to help light up the sky.

  1. jim reed from dungannon, Canada writes: It must be a very daunting experience and it makes one wonder whether we are really accomplishing enough to justify the loss of life.
  2. Bill R from waterloo, Canada writes: Of course it is worth the effort. The reason we had 911 (and several hundred Canadians killed in that), and various other terrorist issues is because the west abandoned Afghanistan after we helped them kick the Russian invaders out. That left a void the was filled by an extremist government that respected no international conventions or courtesies.

    After world war 2, the allies spent YEARS in Germany and Japan helping to stabilize the devastated countries so that a stable government, effective/good security forces (police and military), education systems, and an environment for carrying on business and getting people working was established. Abandoning Afghanistan in the late 80s/early 90s resulted in what we see now.

    You can argue to your hearts content that Iraq was . I won't argue that it was and is wrong. I'll agree. And I'll point out that it was even more wrong because it takes away from an operation that was necessary and continues to be: helping Afghanistan establish a stable government, effective/good security forces (police and military), education systems (for men AND women, boys AND girls), and an environment for carrying on business and getting people working.
  3. The Phantom from Canada writes:

    Get our troops out of Afghanistan now.
  4. The Phantom from Canada writes:

    Bill R "several hundred killed in that..." ummmmmm no thats not right.
  5. Jeff T from Canada writes: One is too many, but to Phantom Credility, one million would not be enough.

    It was an attack on our friend with whom we have a legally binding agreement, and treaty, as dictated by the NATO Charter.
  6. E Schroedr from Winnipeg, Canada writes: The comment function should not be available on any stories involving the death of a soldier. The Soldier was someone''s child, possibly a Parent, someone's Spouse, a Brother or Sister and most likely a good friend to many. A lot of the comments made, are nothing more than hurtful to those left behind. Some people would be wiser to use their right of Free Speech and direct these kind of hurtful comments to their MP.

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