Minister of National Defence Completes Tour in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN -- (Marketwire) -- 07/21/10 -- The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, has concluded a three-day visit to Afghanistan, where he met with the recently appointed commander of the Canadian mission, Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, and Canadian Forces members.

Minister MacKay journeyed to Kabul, Camp Nathan Smith and Canadian Forces positions in Sperwan Ghar, Dand, and Masum Ghar, as well as other locations, to talk to CF members participating in this UN-mandated, NATO-led mission.

"I am always pleased to come to Afghanistan and visit with the hard-working men and women deployed here," said Minister MacKay. "Only by being here can you truly appreciate the realities of what our troops do on behalf of their nation and their fellow Canadians."

While in theatre, Minister MacKay spoke with General David Petraeus, newly appointed Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), via video teleconference, and General Abdul Rahim Wardak, Defense Minister of Afghanistan.

He also met with Commander of Regional Command (South) Major-General Nick Carter, the Representative of Canada in Kandahar, Ben Roswell and Deputy Head of Mission Cindy Termorshuizen.

Unfortunately, Minister MacKay also had the solemn duty to attend the ramp ceremony of Sapper Brian Collier, who was killed by the explosion of an improvised explosive device July 20.

"The almost 3,000 CF members working here are working with representatives of DFAIT, CIDA and the RCMP, as well as the international community, to make Afghanistan a better place," added MacKay. "Our men and women in uniform are good at what they do and they believe in what theyre doing. Im incredibly proud of what the Canadian Forces are accomplishing here, working side-by-side with Afghans in numerous capacities."

This was Minister MacKays 11th visit to Afghanistan.