Canadian helicopter pilots have begun flying training missions over Afghanistan, practicing tactical manoeuvres, tricky landings and flying through enemy fire -- all scenarios they are likely to face when transporting troops in the coming months.
It is part of a new strategy, as recommended by the Manley report, to prioritize the air transport of Canadian troops and to get them off deadly Afghan roads where they are exposed to improvised explosive devices and other bombing threats.
In total, more than half of the Canadian casualties suffered in Afghanistan have resulted from roadside bombs -- including the 10 soldiers killed since the start of December.
The Canadians have been asking for these machines for years.
Before the arrival of these helicopters, when Joint Task Force (Afghanistan) Air Wing was launched last month, the Canadian Forces often had to beg or borrow similar machines from the U.S. and Britain.
As a result, the expectations are running high when it comes to their use in the field.
"It's been a long time that people have wanted our helicopters to be here and they're expecting a lot from us," said Col. Christopher Coates, the commander of Canada's air wing.
"So, we'll try as quickly as we can to meet those expectations."
Some of those in the air wing go further, saying it's about time that they be allowed to participate in the Afghan mission.
Capt. Jay Walker, a pilot who will be flying his fellow soldiers around Afghanistan's skies, said he was "very excited" to get the chance to participate in the mission.
"This is what we've been training to do," he said.
"This is what I've wanted to do since I was eight years old."
Others say they have an idea of the dangers they will face.
Maj. Jonathan Knaul, who is also a pilot, said the missions he will take part in will no doubt be dangerous.
"At the back of your head, there's that danger," he said.
"It's a harsh environment, it's aggressive and it's violent."
Cpl. Darin Gough, a gunner from Kingston, Ont., said he has been trained to "suppress" anything that threatens Canadian troops riding in the air.
"I basically keep my eyes out, keep my gun out and make sure the are no threats on the ground," he said.
"And if there is, try to suppress them."
The new air wing fleet includes six Chinooks, newly retrofitted with heavy machine guns to counter Taliban attacks, and eight hefty, even more heavily-armed, Griffons to act as backup.
It is believed to be Canada's biggest air force presence in a combat zone since the end of the Second World War.
With Afghanistan's harsh climate, as well as with the sand and dust these machines will be exposed to, it is expected that it will cost millions of dollars each year to maintain Canada's helicopter fleet.
But with so many deaths resulting from roadside bombs, the air wing personnel say it is money well spent.
Knaul said "it's just a tremendous feeling" to know that some soldiers may get home safe if the air wing does its job right.
With a report from CTV's Steve Chao and files from The Canadian Press
