Media advisory - Kandahar to Quebec City - Valcartier troops to return home

VALCARTIER GARRISON, QC, Sept. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Media representatives are invited to attend the first return flight from Afghanistan of approximately 40 troops based in Valcartier as they will be reunited with their families in Quebec City this Saturday, September 26 .

    
    When:     Saturday, September 26, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.
              (flight is scheduled to arrive at 7:45 p.m.)

    Where:    Jean-Lesage International Airport (Quebec City)
    

In accordance with current airport regulations, no media representative will be granted access to the secured zones to include the apron. Nevertheless, journalists and reporters will have the opportunity to meet the families before the arrival of the troops, then the soldiers themselves upon arrival and following customs clearance. As opposed to the procedure used in the previous year return flights, military personnel and their relatives will leave the airport with no transit via Valcartier Garrison.

This group of approximately 40 soldiers will be the first of a 1640 contingent from Valcartier to return home before mid November 2009 . They were deployed on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan since mid March 2009 .

Media representatives who wish to attend this gathering are kindly requested to communicate as soon as possible with 5 CMBG Public Affairs Office.

Notice: There will be no interview given by the military personnel during their post-deployment leave period. Requests for interviews will rather be considered once the troops have returned to work around mid January 2010 . This special requirement allows the soldiers to fully enjoy a well deserved rest and to spend as much quality time with their loved ones as possible.

For further information: General Information: Captain Lyne Poirier, 5 CMBG Public Affairs Officer, [phone] ext 4688, Pager: [phone]; Return Flights Information Hotline: [phone] ext 4429