Media advisory - From Kandahar to Quebec City - Commander of 2nd Battalion,<br>Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group to return home

VALCARTIER GARRISON, QC, Oct. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Media representatives are invited to be present for the return from Afghanistan of Lieutenant-Colonel Jocelyn Paul, Commander of 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group (2 R22eR BG), accompanied by approximately 120 other soldiers based in Valcartier, this Tuesday, October 20.

    
      Who:    Lieutenant-Colonel Jocelyn Paul, Commander of 2 R22eR BG
      When:   Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at 7:00 pm (flight scheduled to land
              at 7:45 pm)
      Where:  Jean-Lesage International Airport, Quebec City
    

In compliance with airport regulations, no media representatives will be allowed in secure areas or on the tarmac. However, journalists will be allowed to talk to the families before the soldiers' arrival, and to Lieutenant-Colonel Paul and the other soldiers after they clear customs. Soldiers and their families will not travel to Valcartier Garrison after leaving the airport.

The 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group is part of the Multi-National Brigade in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Regional Command (South). Like the battle groups on previous rotations of OPERATION ATHENA, the 2 R22eR BG was formed in Canada and prepared for this deployment through months of individual and collective training. Its duties include patrolling the RC (South) area of responsibility, suppressing hostile activity, and escorting road convoys.

This group of about 120 soldiers is the thirteenth from a contingent of approximately 1,640 troops from Valcartier, all of whom are scheduled to return home by mid-November 2009. They have been participating in the Canadian mission in Afghanistan since mid-March 2009.

Media representatives who would like to attend this returning flight on October 20 are requested to contact 5 CMBG Public Affairs at their earliest convenience.

    
    Note: No interviews will be given by soldiers during their post-
    deployment leave. Requests for interviews will be considered only after
    the soldiers return to work in mid-January 2010. This will allow the
    soldiers to fully enjoy a well-deserved rest and spend as much time as
    possible with their loved ones.
    

For further information: Captain Lyne Poirier, 5 CMBG Public Affairs Officer, [phone], ext 4688, Pager: [phone]; Information about return flights: [phone], ext 4429