The Canadians continue their truly spectacular success against AQ and the Taliban.Quick estimated that about 15 insurgents were killed in Wednesday's battle. Other reports suggested as many as 21 insurgents died in the fighting. Operation
Afghan and Canadian troops hunkered down together several times during the mission to plot out their next steps. They relied on an interpreter to communicate and stay on the same page.
Quick said that while he commands his own soldiers, his job is also to support the Afghan commander as Afghan troops manoeuvred. "If he wants to push west or push south, I support him and I position my men to do what we need to do," he said.
Quick said Wednesday's battle was the longest his company has fought, even though it was their 12th combat mission in the last month. Troops were getting contact almost every time they go out, said Sheppard, who added that the heat of the Afghan sun was also dictating the battle. "There's no recipe for (dealing with the heat), that's why we go out early" he said. "The Taliban like to fight in the morning after their morning prayer and it works for us because it's cooler too. So it's win-win."
| "They like to die in the morning. We like killing them in the morning. Win-win. Insh'allan, baby." |