Van Doos Deploy To Afghanistan For Last Mission

With Canada's mission to Afghanistan due to end in 2011, the famed Royal 22e Regiment is shipping out on its last seven month mission to the Panjway district.

Families and friends bade farewell at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier Wednesday to 145 Quebec-based soldiers deployed to Afghanistan as part of the last combat rotation before the Canadian mission ends next summer.

"It's so hard," said Krystal Siokalo, wiping away tears.

Her husband Cpl. Adam Siokalo is taking part in his first mission abroad.

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Siokalo, who lives in Gagetown with his family, was torn between the excitement of travelling overseas for his first mission and the sadness of leaving his loved ones behind.

"It's a lot of mixed emotions," he said, noting his focus as second in command of the tank squadron with the Battle Group of the Royal 22nd Regiment will be on bringing security to a part of the Panjway district.

"Because we're the last tour, we're going in hoping to make the one last big push to try and make a difference there. I know there's going to be a lot of effort put into security and development to better the Afghan people's lives," the 29 year-old said.

Over the course of the month, a total of 1,900 soldiers from CFB Valcartier, known as the Van Doo, will be deployed to the war-torn country for a seven-month mission.

By: Shelldrake