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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 11, 2010 · 12 Soldier awarded commendation medal He's a Canadian soldier whose decisions saved lives in Afghanistan and now he's been recognized at the highest level for that vital work. Major Fraser Auld recently received the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation from Canada's Chief of Defence Staff General Walter Natynczyk at a ceremony at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa. Auld, whose parents Doug and Donna Auld, live in Oakville, served as staff officer and lead tactical planner to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) during a 10month deployment to Kandahar during 2008 and 2009. His accomplishments during that deployment, which netted him the commendation, included a counter insurgency operation that targeted a number of IED (Improvised Explosive Device) factories established in Kandahar's Zhari District. Dubbed `Southern Vulture,' the November 2009 operation lasted a week and involved Canadian and British soldiers, Afghan security forces and British helicopters. The operation ended with the seizure of several hundred pounds of explosives, a motorcycle that had been rigged with explosives, mines, drugs, weapons and ammunition. Several militants were also killed during the attack. In a lesser known operation, Auld was provided security and transportation to a group of civilians on a "This is one of those missions that's not really sexy, it doesn't get on the news, there aren't planes and attack helicopters and things blowing up and all that, but in my opinion these are the more important missions," said Auld. "Enabling these people to get down there and see what they needed to see was one step in unlocking this $16 million investment in the border. These are the missions that are going to further the things that are actually going to win the war." In his commendation citation it states that, `Major Auld's dedication and planning skills contributed to advancing security, development and governance across Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.' This was Auld's second deployment to Afghanistan. During his first deployment he served as second in command of a reconnaissance squadron. AUGUST SPECIAL * MANICURE & PEDICURE $30 * FULL LEG WAX & EYEBROW WAX $25 * PEDICURE & BIKINI WAX $25 COURTESY CFB PETAWAWA HONOURED: Canada's Chief of Defence Staff General Walter Natynczyk, left, and Major Fraser Auld as Auld receives the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation. fact-finding mission to Spin Boldak, an Afghan city near the Pakistani border. Auld said the mission was important because the Afghan border is unregulated and uncontrolled with anyone and anything crossing at will. To change this, the Afghan government wanted to invest $16 million to create a modern border crossing at Spin Boldak complete with a customs house and inspection areas. Not only would this make it difficult for the Taliban to transfer supplies and people from Pakistan, but would also provide the government with revenue from tolls charged to commercial vehicles. GEHWOL & OPI PRODUCTS 416-558-7917 Empire Sandy Cruises O V E R 1 1 Y E A R S O F E X P E R I E N C E SOLD 75% Tickets Over er chance t to $1000's in gift cards ds s From Bronte Retailers ers s Come and Experience the Unique Stores and Restaurants of Bronte Live Bands Throughout Bronte Alhambra Mediterranean Fiesta Mediterranean Coach & Four Restaurant & Pub Fo Montfort by the Lake Sammy's O F Sammy's Old Fashion Chip Wagon a ammy's 's Th The Big Smoke Barbecue Presented By COM COMPASS Lakeside Grill & Lounge CJ's Café in Bronte Twisted Fork The Firehall Cool Bar Hot Grill Cucci Ristorante www.brontevillage.net