Canada's first helicopter squadron deployed to Afghanistan removed troops from the line of fire by taking them off roads plagued with roadside bombs, says the mission's deputy commanding officer.
"I'm very proud of what our team has accomplished over the course of the last months," Maj. Rodger Lerminiaux, of the 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, told Canada AM Friday.
The squadron, the first-ever deployed to a war zone, returned to Canada a few days ago after spending five months in Afghanistan.
The force of six CH-47 Chinooks assisted Canadian forces stationed in Afghanistan by delivering supplies, providing aerial oversight and accompanying convoys travelling by road.
Lerminiaux's squadron, escorted by CH-146 Griffons, transported more than 6,000 troops and thousands of tonnes of cargo, avoiding roads littered with Improvised Explosive Devices, which have claimed the lives of more than half of the Canadian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan.
Still, there was danger for the team, Lerminiaux said, telling The Canadian Press that the helicopters were sometimes shot at by insurgents.
On April 22, the 408 squadron handed over command to the 430 "Silver Falcon" Tactical Helicopter Squadron based in Valcartier, Quebec.
Lerminiaux offered his advice to the team on Canada AM Friday.
"Have that quiet confidence in your abilities to get the job done," he said. "And make sure you're paying attention to detail in every mission that you're conducting out there because the situation changes very fast."
Canada purchased the second-hand helicopters from the U.S. last year in response to the Manley Commission's report. The commission recommended that the military acquire the helicopters upon extending the Afghanistan mission until 2011.
Ottawa originally had a fleet of Chinooks back in the 1990s, but sold them to the Dutch to save money.
Rick Hillier, the former chief of defence staff, said the 1993 decision to sell the helicopters made the mission in Afghanistan more difficult.
Now, however, it looks as though the Chinooks will be staying around.
Last week, the Air Force Association of Canada recommended to the Defence Department to keep the helicopters in Afghanistan until Canada's NATO military mission ends in 2011.
The Chinooks can carry up to 12,270 kilograms of cargo, or 33 troops plus their equipment.
Canada also has eight Griffon helicopters, which are used for reconnaissance and surveillance.
With files from The Canadian Press
