Germany, home or Afghanistan ?

By: Capt Marie-Noelle Blanchet, Canadian Public Affairs Officer

We've been here a couple weeks already. As the time goes by, I often have to remind myself that since the 11th of September, I've been living in Germany. We, the Canadians, along with the Aussies, the Kiwis, the Brits and the Americans are all based out of the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Albertshof, in Hohenfels. But in my mind, beside the fact that I see 5 different types of uniforms, strange last names, weird accents, a huge amount of uniforms with varying types of camouflage patterns, and HUMVEE vehicles -- this feels just like home.

It should not be surprising that Canada has military bases of its own, with endless training areas with tank tracks, trees, hills, valleys, dirt and sand. But, just as I was comparing my homeland to this U.S. military base here in Germany, and as I was escorting a reporter down a tank trail into a training area... I was hit with a flash of Deja Vu that I can only describe the feeling in one word: surreal! I AM SUDDENLY BACK IN AFGHANISTAN when I was there in 2004.

Because the focus of Cooperation Spirit 2008 is based on an Afghanistan environment, the Joint Multinational Readiness Center has remodeled the area into a replica of the country. As we drive along the first village we cross is Asadabad, a small hub located South West of Kaboul in the Kunar Province. An Afghan Flag is floating on a post, villagers (role-players), are hanging around, living their every-day lives. Afghan women are walking down the street wearing blue burkas that cover their faces, little shops are opens, houses -- dirt-wall-type -- are packed tight one beside the other surrounded by high walls for their own security. The mayor, along with his senior local police officer are sitting in the middle watching over their village.

As I look around, I have to keep reminding myself that this is all "FAKE". Oh my God ! Looking to my fellow American, MAJ Jaunita Chang, who has been to Afghanistan before... we both agreed that the reality of the village is mind-boggling. It is like being there -- for real.

As we traveled around the JMRC training area we passed through the villages of Nari, Kanday, Jalalabad and other training sites. Near Kanday, as we walked up a hill, we could clearly see some hilly ground. As we approached, I was astonished that there is even a big cave complex... like the ones we encountered in Afghanistan.

All I can say is...WOW!

Finally, as we return to our FOB in Albertshof, I'm telling myself how the whole experience of Cooperative Spirit 2008 is much more than a Canadian coming to Germany to train with the ABCA nations... it's almost a world tour with a bit of Canada thrown in.