Canadian Griffons Put Fear Of Allah Into Taliban

While the Griffon is certainly no Apache, the upgraded Canadian Forces helicopter is proving to be valuable in its escort role in Afghanistan.

Civilian contractors building a road that has been described by senior NATO commanders as a dagger through the Taliban's heart are being protected from lethal harassing fire by Canadian Griffon helicopters.

The potshots stopped the instant Canada's once-maligned Griffons and their powerful Gatling guns and high-tech scopes appeared above a tongue of grey farmland that, until three months ago, was controlled by insurgents, aircrews said.

"The single biggest element that air power brings is that the Taliban is afraid of us and this weapon," said Capt. Luc Savoie, a reservist who once flew F-18 fighter jets and in the civilian world is an Air Canada pilot. "We can see a lot of sh-- from up here. When we show up, the grunts tell us the Taliban flees. In this way, the Griffon really shows its worth."

The Griffons have not only been tasked with helping to keep insurgents in check. The primary role of the small choppers, which have two pilots and two door gunners, has been to fly escort missions for Chinook transport helicopters, which are providing critical support for about 800 Canadian, American and Afghan troops fighting the Taliban in the Horn and helping to guard the new roads.

By: Shelldrake