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Iain's unit ISTAR, receiving some new equipment.
7 November 03 - Camp Julien
Jen/Mom/Dad,
Hello!
It’s been a while again since I’ve written, and once again I must apologize. My last week has been very
busy and very interesting.
Last Friday we received a task at very short notice to provide security for the Security Council of the
United Nations during their visit to Kabul. On Saturday I met with several UN security officials and we
made our plans for the week. I went around to the different Battle Group HQs to coord the visit, and I
met with the Belgian company commander who secures the airport. It turns out that he is friends with my
Belgian classmate from Ft Knox. It is always good to have mutual acquaintances in situations like this.
The plane landed on Sunday, and we met them at the airport. The security detail was an interesting mix of
people from all over the world. I found myself standing on the tarmac with the other members of the
protection party. I was along to act as the on-scene military commander and link between the UN security
chief and the Coyotes. In addition, I could link in with the rest of ISAF. Since I had a carbine, pistol and
body armour, however, I was pressed into service as part of the protection party with the security
officers. Although I’m sure that the regular bodyguards would have much more useful if an assassin
attacked, having me there meant that it was also an attack on ISAF. The local warlords have learnt that
someone with a floppy hat and a radio can make really bad things happen. I did my best to look mean and
observant, although I did feel a little self-conscious.
We visited several embassies and the presidential palace. We spend hours outside of facilities providing
the outer security, and as such we had a lot of contact with the locals. It was very interesting, but also very
tiring! “How old are you?” asked on young Afghan policeman. “I am 32”, I replied. “I am 18.” I struck
up a friendship with the head doorman of the UNAMA compound. He was a refugee during the wars.
They all think that Canada would be a great place to live. I agree.
I am always nervous when the topic of family comes up, because you aren’t supposed to talk about wives,
sisters or daughters. Still, they were all happy that I had two sons, and congratulated me that I had a
daughter on the way.
The security team was a fascinating mix of people and they were all top-shelf. I was the only one in
uniform, so I kind of stuck out. I thought that we worked very well together. Everyone was experienced
at this type of op (except me) and knew their jobs. The boss was a retired Fijian Battalion Commander.
He took good care of “the boys”, and didn’t micromanage the team. A Latvian, a Trinidadian, a Kiwi, a
Brit and three Americans rounded out the UN team. Some of the delegates had their own guards, and two
Italian soldiers were with us as well. They were both good guys. One of the Italian soldiers is married to a
Glaswegian.
One morning we were exiting the convoy from a compound during rush hour. I had many local police
bosses coming to see me to complain about the traffic jam my vehicles were causing. “You are doing a
very bad thing.” I wouldn’t budge. Several people on bikes tried to break the cordon, and I had to
confront them directly to stop them. The locals are quite used to ISAF vehicles, but I do not think that
they are used to ISAF soldiers on foot telling them they can’t go through. I learned to say “stop”, and
found that the best way was to yell real loud and put your hand up in front of the person’s face. Not really
a Captain’s normal job, but the crewmen all had vehicle related jobs, and I wasn’t going to sit in an SUV
and watch chaos.
The council flew to other cities on two occasions, so we were often at the airport. We entered through the
VIP gate on the civilian side, and this was always amusing. On the first day we got into the gate but we
were soon surrounded by a host of airport officials who did not want “taanks” in their airport. I held my
ground (easy to do with three Coyotes). I’m afraid that I ignored all the negotiating techniques that we
were taught (this became a trend). On another visit, they couldn’t find the key to the gate. The convoy
was backed up and full of delegates. Not a good situation. I asked them how much they liked their gate.
They looked at the Coyote and then got a sledge-hammer and broke the lock.
The visit went well, and there were no incidents. The Coyotes were quite effective as deterrents. On our
last day we visited a mine dug in the center of town overlooked by a large hill (The King’s Tomb). As we
pulled in the security team was worried about the high ground. I pointed up and they saw the three
Coyotes that I had placed there several hours before. They looked both menacing and comforting. The
day finished with a tour of the city. I put my trust in the police LO, and he was good to his word. The
cops aren’t great at directing traffic but they sure can stop it!
I never met the delegates, although one of the senior staffers approached me with a greeting from the
Canadian ambassador to the UN. She was very friendly and took pains to thank the troops and me. One
night she had to walk from the residence to a working area (about one block). She asked us if we would
walk her over, and we happily obliged. My impression of the UN staff is that they were all excellent
people.
I rode with one of the senior UN officials in Afghanistan. I asked him when he had been posted into the
country and he answered “August 2001.” He has obviously seen a lot of changes. He said that the first
year was slow, but that the city is really progressing. He was also here during the Russian occupation.
The UN compounds here are distrustful of soldiers, and they do not want us coming into their facilities with
our “long guns.” On my recce I told the reluctant guard to call the person I was meeting and tell him that if
we couldn’t come in with our rifles we would have the meeting in the street. We got in. Guess I’m a
positional negotiator.
All in all the task was fun, although there was a lot of sitting around followed by a flurry of activity. I met
many Afghanis, and that was interesting in and of itself. The UN staff seem to live very interesting lives,
and again I was very impressed by their abilities. Don’t worry, I’m not thinking about a career change,
although I did get a business card.
Cheers,
Iain
group of four under
the wing, on the
right, in tan boots.
taken by Iain
while excorting
the visitors
on the left.
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