More than 100 families saw their sons, daughters and loved ones go off to war Wednesday as troops from Canadian Forces Base Shilo left for Afghanistan.
 
The soldiers — members of "A" Company, 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry — are deploying to Kandahar, where they will join up with other Canadian and NATO troops.
 
In total, 130 soldiers from Shilo will deploy over the next week or so. The first 103 left Wednesday.

'It's kickoff time, baby.'— Pte. Andrew Grenon

"These particular folks are extremely ready to go," said Capt. Neil Gregory, who speaks for the Shilo group, on Wednesday.

"These are probably some of the best prepared, best equipped, best-led troops I've ever seen."
 
Pte. Andrew Grenon, beginning his first tour of duty, said the deployment was the culmination of a lifetime of preparation.
 
"You can only do so many practices without playing a game," he told CBC News. "This is our turn to play the game. Let's drop the puck. Let's throw the ball. Let's start it up. It's kickoff time, baby."
 
The soldiers are expected to remain in Afghanistan for the next six to seven months. Their prescribed role is to help that country make the transition to security, self-sufficiency and democracy.

They will join about 2,300 Canadian soldiers already there.

Soldiers acknowledge danger that faces them

Since Canada began its mission in Afghanistan in 2002, 20 soldiers and one diplomat have been killed, including Edmonton-based Cpl. Christopher Jonathan Reid, who was killed by a roadside bomb on Thursday.

Two Shilo-based soldiers — Cpl. Francisco Gomez and Capt. Nicola Goddard — are also among Canada's casualties.

As an infantryman, Grenon acknowledges that his job puts him in serious danger, but the 21-year-old is still excited to leave.

"You have to prepare yourself that you might not come back," he said. "It's a hard thing to do. It's a hard thing to accept. [But] the sooner that you accept it, the sooner that you realize the fact that your life will be in danger, the sooner that you can do your job without hesitation."

Still, Grenon said he had a difficult time saying goodbye to his mother, who has also served in the military.

"She wished me good luck, told be to come home safe. She said she wished I wasn't going but she understands why," he said. "Pretty much I just gave her a hug, said I loved her, turned my back and got on the bus. I've never been a good one with goodbyes."

Grenon's group is among the second group of soldiers to deploy from Shilo since January. The group will be led by the Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa, Ont.