Interesting Photo

[chris_log]

Came across this photo today, at first I didn't give it much second thought until I noticed the cap badge...slip-on and who it was. For those of you who do not know, he his Colin Clansey who was the Pipe Major of the Air Command Pipes and Drums (not sure what he does now). Ranked 2nc best in the world last time I checked, in other words, to pipers like me (albeit having not played for almost two years...but I'm getting back into it as soon as I retrieve my bagpipes from my parent's house) the closest thing to a 'God'.

His cap badge is that of a musician and his slip-on has the 'Pipe Major' appointment insignia on it (which is cool enough in and of itself). So I was curious, what is a musician (by trade) doing in Afghanistan? Was he brought in just for Nov. 11th (doubtful, there are plenty of 'hobby' pipers out there already) or is here there doing a 'normal' job? He doesn't appear to have an issued pistol holster (which would indicate to me that he's there on tour). Anyone able to shed some light on this? It'd be a neat little tidbit of info, as it's been often expressed that there is no need for musicians in the CF as they never are able to deploy (it's even been argued on this site before I believe). I'm really am curious, what's a musician do in Afghanistan?

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?original=72297&site=combatcamera&catalog=photos

 

[Blakey]

I'm really am curious, what's a musician do in Afghanistan?

English/anglais
AR2008-K146-22
11 Nov 2008
Kandahar, Afghanistan

Warrant Officer Colin Clansey, a member of Task Force Kandahar Visits Cell plays the lament on the bagpipes at the Canadian fallen soldiers’ memorial in the Task Force Kandahar compound during Remembrance Day Ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

Members of Task Force Kandahar participated in Remembrance Day activities in the Canadian compound of Kandahar Airfield on November 11, 2008. This event celebrates our proud military history and commemorates the courage and dedication of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for Canada.

This Remembrance Day, Task Force Kandahar (TFK) proudly hosted the families of six Canadian soldiers killed during the Afghan mission. TFK soldiers shared this solemn time of remembrance with the families of their fallen brothers-in-arms. The Canadian Forces are committed in supporting the family members of fallen soldiers during their grieving process.

The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution in Afghanistan comprises over 2,500 soldiers, most of whom serve with JTF-Afg at Kandahar Airfield and Camp Nathan Smith, Canada’s Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), in Kandahar City.  Additional personnel are assigned to various military headquarters,  support bases, and civilian organizations.
Photo by : MCpl Karl McKay Photographer JTF-Afg

 

[chris_log]

Neato, thanks. So he's there in a generic admin position? Interesting, and that slip on is really, really cool.

I saw the photo on a site that had the link to Combat Camera for the high resolution picture, but no caption (and didn't bother to check since Combat Camera has been caption-less for months, go figure the one picture that does have a caption is the one I ask about). 

 

[Blakey]

It's embedded within the image.