Winnipeg Free Press

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1. • Time to stand down

     Home is in sight for the Manitoba and Alberta soldiers -- and their civilian support personnel -- fighting and building in Afghanistan. Updated at 11:00 AM

2. • Outside the wire, into a war

     ARGHANDAB DISTRICT, Afghanistan -- With a large contingent from Winnipeg's Fort Garry Horse Reserve unit, I witnessed first-hand what it is like to go "outside the wire" into Arghandab District. It's a war zone. Updated at 1:44 PM

3. • Hot, dusty, noisy -- Afghan luxury

     Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan -- Imagine being in a hot, hot, 47-degree-C hot sauna, full of choking dust.
     Welcome to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Updated at 4:42 PM

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Home is in sight for the Manitoba and Alberta soldiers -- and their civilian support personnel -- fighting and building in Afghanistan.

It's been a gruelling six months.

The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo and Edmonton, has had about 2,000 soldiers in Kandahar province, acknowledged as the most dangerous spot in the war-torn country. In fact, as the soldiers prepared for their trip home, three of their comrades -- combat engineers attached to the PPCLI -- were already on their way, their coffins loaded on a military transport that will have their bodies home in Canada tonight.

Along with the ever-present danger of death, the soldiers have endured the heat and dust of an Afghan summer.

Winnipeg Free Press photojournalist Joe Bryksa recently completed a two-week assignment in Afghanistan. Here is a sample of what he saw as he followed the Canadians in Kandahar. There are many more photos on a special web page, www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/warzone

There will be a welcome-home celebration this fall in Brandon for the veterans. For some, they will be completing their third tour in Afghanistan.