Photo By Kristina Davis | Maj. Dave Broomfield, officer commanding A Squadron, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal...... read more read more
By Kristina Davis
National Defence Canada Public Affairs
MA'SUM GHAR, Afghanistan — It's an unearthly rumble. Lined up at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ma'sum Ghar, the Leopard C2 tanks are hulking beside the other equipment. Hulking and stinking hot.
Major Dave Broomfield, officer commanding A Squadron, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), says when he first arrived in Afghanistan in late February, the weather was fairly pleasant. Now, pushing well into the 40s, it's anything but. And that's outside the tank.
Inside, of course, is another story. In an experiment, outside temperatures that rose to 50ºC resulted in 65ºC temperatures inside the tank. Water and lots of it is a necessity in these harsh conditions.
Crewed by four soldiers, there's a lot of up-close-and-personal interaction. Cramped quarters aside, the tank brings a lot of firepower to bear. Armed with a 105-mm gun that works with a computerized fire control system, thermal 'night vision', and a laser range-finder, the Leopard packs an 830 horsepower engine. Shortly after arriving in-theatre, A Squadron was hard at it. Involved in Operation Achilles—the largest NATO ground offensive in history—Op Hurricane II and Op Hoover soon followed.
During Op Achilles, and operating with Hotel Company in Helmand province, they were "out" for 36 long days. Providing a security presence, they also did screening and presence patrolling tasks.
Working with the Afghan national army and linking into the local Shura, Maj Broomfield says the local population was pleased to have an international security assistance force presence.
Despite that, he says the improvised explosive device (IED) threat is ever present. And with more time in-theatre, a routine develops. With that, comes an even greater danger. "For any soldier," he explains, "familiarity breeds complacency. If we get complacent, there's a chance for disaster." Vigilance must be constant.
The "tankers", as they call themselves, are a tight group. At the forward operating base, filthy, tired, and sunburned, they chat and play cards. They work in shifts to ensure they each get the rest they need. "The soldiers look after one another," says Maj Broomfield proudly.
Interestingly, he says about half the Squadron had no tank experience. He credits a comprehensive training cycle with bringing everyone up to speed. It's also an opportunity for those who joined the Armoured Corps to relish the experience. "We joined the Armoured Corps to be tankers," he says. "And we are getting to do 'the business' on operation."
Maj Broomfield has been to Afghanistan before. On his previous tour, he didn't get outside the wire as much; this time he's seeing far more of the countryside and the people. "It's a beautiful country," he says. "There's even a river at our front gate."
And now as a father of a four-year-old daughter, the kids who line the streets, smiling and waving, have a more profound effect. "It makes you think of home and gives you a reason for being here."
He's also got a lot to say about the tank maintainers. "They (the tanks) take a lot of TLC," he says with a grin.
Trooper Jared Suggitt is from Carberry, Man. He likens driving the Leopard to a tractor with a big gun on it. And while he is a driver, he too, is responsible for a portion of the tanks' maintenance, including checking fluids, coolants and filters. "It's a bit like the maintenance you do on your car," he says wryly, "except in bigger quantities." He estimates that "daily maintenance" can take up to two hours to complete.
Asked if he has a technique for staying cool, he says there's only one: drink water. Tpr Suggitt says that night driving is a bit of a challenge because, of course, it's not like you're driving with the lights on. And a little bump for him, sitting relatively comfortably in the driver's seat, is decidedly not a little bump for everyone else.
He, too, says the IED threat is always on his mind. "I'm always looking for pieces of ground that are just not right." Especially, he says, since he would be the one to drive over it.
He keeps in touch with his family as best he can. And did his best to prepare them for his deployment. In fact, before he left, they did a very Canadian thing— had a BBQ in the backyard. It was February in Manitoba and it was -40ºC. "They realize we are a front line unit. They are pretty supportive."
His first time in Afghanistan, Tpr Suggitt says he's surprised by just how many people want them there. "You come here thinking everyone is the Taliban and every Afghan is out to get you." He says that's simply not the case.
And even he has seen progress first-hand. One day, he noticed a female Afghan national police officer. "Think how far along that is from just a few years ago."
| Date Taken: | 07.16.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 07.16.2007 13:23 |
| Story ID: | 11300 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 505 |
| Downloads: | 404 |
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