Soldiers' Downtime

July 05-07
What are some of the things soldiers during downtime? ....

Photo Credit: MCpl Kevin Paul, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

Canadian soldiers from the Royal Canadian Dragoons play a game of Monopoly during their downtime at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. Canadian citizens have donated most of the soldiers' board games. Clockwise from foreground: Trooper Ryan Murchy, Corporal Brian Chaytor, Sergeant Tony Rusk, Master Corporal Troy Phillips, Sergeant Troy Corbett

Photo credit: MCpl Kevin Paul, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

Royal Canadian Dragoons Trooper Ryan Murchy (left) and Corporal Brian Chaytor play a game of RISK during their downtime at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.

Like my son, Trooper Jon Mulholland of the Royal Canadian Dragoons takes advantage of a break to catch up on his reading at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. Much of the Canadian soldiers' library is courtesy of the generous donations of Canadian citizens.

About 2500 members of the Canadian Forces (CF) are currently serving as part of Joint Task Force Afghanistan. Most of the soldiers are stationed at Kandahar Airfield and at Camp Nathan Smith, CanadaÕs Provincial reconstruction Team (PRT) in Kandahar City. Other personnel are assigned to various military headquarters, a support base, and civilian organizations.

They play a key role in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission whose goal is to improve the security situation in Afghanistan and assist in rebuilding the country. Photo: MCpl Kevin Paul, Canadian Forces Combat Camera