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Kandahar Dispatches

First convoy run

Comments (10)

Thursday, December 21, 2006 | 02:46 PM ET

By Laurie Graham

My camera operator, Al Lawrence and I have to take a convoy with the Canadian military. It’s not supposed to be a long trip, just a jaunt from A to B. I can’t tell you where A begins and B ends, but suffice it to say, we are in southern Afghanistan.

This is not Al’s first trip in a convoy, but it is mine and I’m a little anxious. When I agreed to come to Afghanistan, it was the “convoy” that made me nervous. There have been so many reports of roadside bombings that it scared me to think of driving in one, but there really is no other way to get around.

As we get into our vehicle, we’re told the trip will take only an hour and a half. We get in the back with four soldiers: Corporal Jason Walter, Corporal Lee Willcocks, Corporal Billy Kerr and Corporal John Makela. They’re a Force Protection Unit and their job is to protect convoys. They’ve driven in dozens. In fact, they told me that by the end of their tour in February, they think they’ll hit the hundred mark. I’m thrilled. I figure if I have to take a convoy, these are the guys I want protecting me.

Force Protection Unit members Cpl. Jason Walter, Cpl. Lee Willcocks, Cpl. Billy Kerr, Cpl. John Makela

They immediately put me at ease. We start talking about life in the military. They tell me they are reservists which means they don’t actually have to be here, and yet here they are. We talk about the things they miss from home, food and how nice it would be to have a cold beer. "Just one," they say. (Canada runs a "dry" camp which means soldiers go months without a drink.) The conversation is easy and it really helps take my mind off where I am… cramped into the back of a Light Armoured Vehicle.

Then, out of nowhere, we stop. I don’t say anything, but I’m thinking, did something happen up ahead? Did one of the vehicles get hit? The next thing I know, the back hatch opens and a soldier outside starts giving orders. The guys I’m chatting with suddenly jump into "soldier" mode." They get out, secure the perimeter and start yelling, "left side clear, right side clear." They seem pretty calm, Al is okay and on the outside I am too, but inside, I’m thinking… "!#%*" my worst nightmare has come true… we’re stuck on the middle of a road in southern Afghanistan, like a giant bull's-eye.

Then, soldiers start talking on their headsets and within minutes we find out that the second vehicle in our convoy has broken down: a fuel line problem. "It’s not uncommon," the soldiers say. They remain in the ready position with their weapons in hand, looking for anything suspicious, watching vehicles in the distance to make sure they’re not driving toward the convoy. We wait. And we wait. And we wait. I watch the soldiers who are standing beside the convoy of vehicles and I think, "what if something happens, what would I do?" Then, we get word that another convoy is on the way and it could take about 90-minutes before it arrives.

Waiting for military roadside assistance

Our Force Protection friends are fine. They’re pretty relaxed. They keep spelling each other off so that while we wait, there is always one of them inside with us.

In the end, it took more than 90 minutes, but after a while I stopped counting. I even stopped worrying. These four reservists from Ontario put me at ease, helped me get over my fear of driving in a convoy and more than anything else, made me feel safe. When we arrived at our destination, we all shook hands and said good-bye and I thought to myself, "I may never see them again, but I will never forget them."

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Comments (10)

Brenda & Ed Walter

How wonderful it was to see our son Jason! His family all miss him very much and are counting the days till his safe return. Jason has mentioned that the support for the troops through letters and donations has been overwhelming for all of them. We wish to thank the CBC for providing such a great article. Thank you to everyone that has shown such warmth and generosity to our troops. As parents we cannot thank you enough. We wish all of you a healthy, happy New Year!

Posted January 5, 2007 12:00 PM

Jo Caven

Is great to see John out working for his Country. Am an old friend of his from the UK and am very proud of him and glad to see he is doing what he trained to do. To all the troops - take care.

Posted January 4, 2007 04:06 AM

Linda Makela

My son was "one of the four" so it was great to see him in print. While we communicate quite often via internet and phone we (his family)miss him alot. It is most difficult in between the communications because we now know how dangerous his missiom is. He is part of the NSE as a bomber protecting the convoys. so I really cherish these surprise media communications.
Hi John. Love You. MOM.

Posted January 1, 2007 03:49 PM

Ricky

Toronto

Mr. Corprol Jason Walter - Merry christmas and a very happy new year to you and your fellow comrads.

A big thank you to you and the other soilders for doing a great job and may God keep you all safe .
God Bless you all

Ricky Bhoopaul

Posted December 28, 2006 02:13 PM

Shanna O'Brien

Just want to say that Jason is an awesome person. Thanks for giving us an update on him. We all miss him here at the office and can't wait until his safe return in the New Year.

I personally want to thank all the Troops for their commitment to the people of all countries involved.
PEACE TO THEM ALL.

Posted December 28, 2006 02:03 PM

Justin

Kitchener

I know Lee, and just wanted to say this is an excellent article...and just goes to show that canada has a reserve force that is worthy and capable of working & fighting alongside Regular Force & active army types.

Posted December 24, 2006 01:40 PM

Jerry G Hart

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Years,

All of the trops over there do have the support from my wife Denise and I. Both retired military members with 20 years each.

I worked closely with the RCR folks while I was with 2 Airborne Commando (77 to 79), SGT MAJOR Kenny Miles era haha or Ranger Rick. even though I was a PPCLI from Winnipeg while I was with the Airborne.

Go and be safe, return home soon with yours and our countrys goals accomplished.

May the good lord be with you all.
Jerry G Hart

Posted December 24, 2006 10:39 AM

chantal robert

cpl william kerr is the father of my 2 girls and them being able to see him at work in one of the most war torn countries, has been great for them.. they miss him very much and cry for him most every night.. xmas wont be the same without him there in the morning but i keep telling them that their dad will be home very soon...

dear dad we miss you very much and love you more than anything in the world.. come home safely .. zoe and abbie

Posted December 22, 2006 07:14 PM

David Holland

Ontario

Hi, I am a 28 year old, married, father of three, I live in a small town in central Ontario. I am currently considering joining the Canadian Armmed Forces, I know that it's very likely I will end up being sent over there and it's incuraging to hear good stories like yours. There's so much bad news coming out of the middle east that i enjoy any good new I hear. Thanx

Posted December 22, 2006 05:53 PM

Tracy Lachance

I just want to thank you Laurie for risking your life by doing this. Cpl Billy Kerr is my boyfriend and I do miss him very much.

Listening to your story gave me more of a visual of how the crew of guys he works with are so good. They protect each other and the convoy daily, as they protected you that day.

I think the hardest thing about this, is the time we are apart. They are all an unbelievalble bunch of guys for doing this mission (they don't have to) but they care. So many guys here have said to me."I would never do that!" Well that is one of the reasons why I love Bill Kerr so much HE CARES!!

I see couples here at home arguing,or just being rude to one another, over things that are so small. When they don't realise they really do have it well. They are taking life, love, and just caring for one another for granted.

I just miss him so much especially at this time of year. When friends and families do get together to celebrated. It won't be the same without him, that's for sure.

You all be safe over there! I am sure you [all] are missed very much as well. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! My family and friends will be thinking of all of you always.

Posted December 22, 2006 11:27 AM

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