Canada Rules The Night Air

February 28, 2009: "Canadian troops are now using their CH-146 helicopters for night time IED (roadside bomb) patrols in Afghanistan. The CH-146 pilots are equipped with night vision goggles (which helicopter pilots have been using for over two decades), while the helicopter carries a high resolution reconnaissance pod, that enables the operator to zoom in for a close look on anything below, and at quite a distance. The patrols examine roads used by Canadian troops, for evidence of freshly planted IEDs, and reports the locations to engineers (who will clear them after daybreak). If the choppers catch the Taliban placing a bomb, the helicopter's machine-guns will be used to attack the IED crew."

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