To soldiers, family, friends, and our loved ones of Task Force MERCURY the Multi-National Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron stationed here in sunny, dusty Kandahar Afghanistan. I'm Major John Blythe the Commanding Officer.

It has been just over one month since the arrival of the main body of the unit and I take this opportunity to provide you a quick update on the Squadron's activities and reiterate our mission.

The focus of the Squadron has never deviated from providing the Commander and his staff with unparalleled Signal support required to effectively exercise command and control of the Multi-National Brigade with a view to creating a safe, secure, democratic and autonomous Afghanistan.

We certainly have had a busy and interesting time, both from the perspective of the Advance party who have been on the ground now for two months and the final arrival of the main body elements. The Advance party has done a remarkable job in installing and configuring the line infrastructure and systems required by the Brigade and Squadron staff for an initial operational capability. They also prepared the interim office accommodations for the main body, which easily facilitated our arrival. With the arrival of the main body, we focused on enhancing these capabilities to ensure all systems and functionality provided to the Brigade staff met their needs. The Squadron as a whole has done work above and beyond their normal tasks, from construction workers, vehicle antenna modifications, to headset and speaker modifications.

Our mission is a part of Canada's contribution to the international campaign against terrorism and helping the Afghan people achieve peace and security that some of us may take for granted in Canada. I would like to reiterate what has been said many times, “we are among the best trained, and most experienced soldiers in the world”. I have no doubt that we are brave, well led, well equipped, and fully prepared for this mission in Afghanistan.

I also recognize 1 CMBG HQ and Sig Sqn Rear Party, family and friends for their outstanding support we have received here in theatre. It is reassuring to know that your support has never wavered and that you're thinking of us often.

Regiment Sergeant Major Rejean Richard and I have personally talked to all Squadron soldiers and we can ensure you that the moral is high and the dedication to this mission remains strong - “there is nothing we cannot do”.