By Karine Vachon,
Deployment Operations Coordinator/Training Officer
Deployed Operations, CFPSA, Ottawa,
(613) 996-8319, vachon.k@forces.gc.ca

Forty-four brave souls left for Afghanistan in early August 2003 to join deployed troops serving on Op ATHENA. Exuding energy and having a desire to experience a unique adventure, these hard workers won’t be keeping track of their hours nor the efforts spent in achieving CFPSA’s mission, “Serving Those Who Serve”. Almost a third of team members have experienced Bosnian territory and have gained a wide range of valuable expertise making them well equipped and ready to embark on this journey. Given the success of the current CFPSA-led welfare program in Bosnia-Herzegovina through Op PALLADIUM, the focus now shifts to Op ATHENA where personnel responsible for travel, sports, recreation, equipment and CANEX services are being deployed. Team members are well aware of the nature of this new theatre of operations, and with a six-day training at CFB St-Jean under their belt, these 44 CFPSA civilians will don beige uniforms in Afghanistan – as opposed to the black ones worn in Bosnia.

It's bloody hot here, but fortunately I love the heat. The thermometer has reached 53C. We do get strong winds by late afternoon and it cools down quite a bit by evening, so we're not suffering. It's also great that I love camping. That's exactly what I'm doing here. Cots, tents, dirt floors, dust everywhere, eating outside. I am truly enjoying my job, and thank God every day for being able to experience this. My first impression when I reached this place was the awesome beauty that surrounds our site. Mountains on all sides. The stars seem so large and so close, I almost feel like I am on top of the world. The elevation here is 6000m above sea level. Last night, I watched the moon rise from behind a mountain - a spectacular sight!