By Justin Blackwell

Canada wraps up mission in Afghanistan

Jul 6, 2011 | 6:26 AM

A lot of hard work — that's how Warrant Officer Jeff Dickson describes his time in Kandahar Province.

The Saskatchewan soldier was with the first Canadian battle group to go in there. Today, he reflects on his time in Afghanistan as the last Canadian battle group makes their way home, handing over the Kandahar battlefield to American troops.

It was January 2006. He was part of Operation Enduring Freedom — an American led operation on the war on terrorism.

“We didn’t have another battle group to take care of us,” he said.

Years later, Warrant Officer Jeff Dickson calls the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden a bit of a shock and surprise.

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“To be honest, I’m surprised it took so long. I find it really hard to believe that they really didn’t have this guy tracked a long time ago.”

Today, he has mixed emotions on the end of the war, saying it's hard to determine a clear winner or loser. But that aside, he says they've given young Afghans hope.

“In 15 years…instead of being bad guys or terrorists, they want to help their country. Then I think in the long run, we won.”

Canadian presence appreciated

As the combat mission for Canadians ends in Afghanistan, one Saskatchewan soldier is looking back on his time over there.

Corporal Johann Reimer spent a year and three months over in Afghanistan as a telecommunications lineman and says the experience was one he’ll never forget.

“Afghanistan has been a tremendous eye opener for me and my wife,” said Reimer. “I’m thankful for the training the army provided for me during my tours.”

He believes the Americans will do a good job taking over the combat mission, but says the Canadian soldiers portrayed themselves in the best way.

“You can ask most people from Afghanistan what they think of the Canadian presence and a vast majority will have appreciated what we’ve done for them,” said Reimer.

Reimer believes 100 percent the overall mission was a success and points to the creation of the Dhala Dam project, a $50 million mission by the military and the Canadian government to rebuild an irrigation system in southern Afghanistan, as one reason.