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Canada's Auditor General: Impressive Work by Mil in Afghanistan

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | January 22, 2010 at 09:27 am

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Canada's Afghanistan Mission

Canada's Afghan mission started in January 2002, when a battlegroup of 1000 personnel were send to operate under command of 10 (US) Mountain Division.near Kandahar airfield. The battle group was based on the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

The mission evolved to its present form when the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) under the command of Brigadier General David Fraser took up the newly defined mission. The Canadian contingent numbers 2200.

The mission placed emphasis on the 3D format, Defence, Development and Diplomacy. In addition to establishing Forward Operational Bases (FOBs), Canada also send an Operation Mentor Liaison Team (OMLT) to assist in the training of the Afghan National Army, Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) to build schools roads and other infrastructure. Diplomats were in place to assist with training for governance of Aghanistan.

Canada has lost 139 soldiers, 1 Diplomat and 1 Journalist in Afghanistan.

Auditor General

The Auditor General's main raison d'etre is to hold the federal government accountable for its stewardship of public funds.

With her overall mandate in mind Sheila Fraser embarked on a visit to Afghanistan to see first hand what progress is being made.

Sheila Fraser Impressed with the Work of the Military

Although Sheila Fraser did not audit the operation in Afghanistan, she came away being impressed by the work being done by Canadian Forces. The co-operation amongst various agencies received high praise from her.

She is prepared to give the mission some leeway. Once committed, Canada must provide the equipment and necessary tools to do the job (paraphrased).

Sheila Fraser voiced her concern over of how this work would continue after Canada's military mission ends in 2011.

The Canadian Parliament has voted to stop the Afghan mission in 2011.

Auditor General Sheila Fraser says she is impressed with development work Canada's military has undertaken in Afghanistan, but has concerns over what will happen to projects once the soldiers pull out.

The purpose of Fraser's five-day visit to Afghanistan was not to audit the mission, but to get an understanding of the challenges of both the military and development projects.

She said she has come away impressed with the work being done and the co-operation between different branches of the mission, but says given the nature of Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, she is prepared to give some leeway.