Inside Canadian Sniper Operations in Afghanistan

The Book: "Send It!"

• 💡 "Send It! Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan" is a book co-authored by Barry Nisbet and Mir Bamanyar, detailing Canadian sniper experiences.
• 📚 The book took 15 years to complete, with Barry and other snipers contributing their personal stories and expertise.
• 🎯 It offers a raw and honest portrayal of sniper life, training, and combat, moving beyond glorified versions.

Canadian Sniper Training & Expertise

• 🇨🇦 Canadian snipers are highly regarded due to extensive cross-training and a strong foundational infantry skill set.
• 🧠 Training involves a three-phase structure: basic, sniper detachment commander, and advanced, with a high attrition rate.
• 🌲 The stalking phase is particularly challenging, testing mental and physical strength, and is a significant part of the course.
• 🛠️ Sniper teams consist of a senior spotter (human calculator) and a shooter (marksman), with crucial cross-training and trust.
• 🤝 Canadian military structure allows sniper teams to stay together longer, fostering deep rapport and effectiveness.

Combat Deployments in Afghanistan

• 🌍 Barry Nisbet served five deployments to Afghanistan (2005, 2006, 2010) and other peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Bosnia.
• 💥 Operation Medusa (2006) was a major Canadian operation in Pangway, characterized by intense bombardment and significant casualties, including a friendly fire incident.
• ⚠️ The 2010 deployment saw a tenfold increase in IED threats and stricter Rules of Engagement (ROE), making snipers vital for precision engagements.
• 🎯 Snipers often thwarted ambushes and provided critical overwatch and fire support for infantry patrols, using radios to call in assets when direct fire wasn't possible.

The Human Element in Sniping

• 💬 The iconic communication phrase "standby, send it" encapsulates the calm, rhythmic focus of a sniper team in action.
• 🧠 The book emphasizes the mental and physical toll of sniper training and combat, highlighting the irreplaceable human element.
• 🚀 Barry Nisbet retired after 13 years of service and five deployments, feeling he had reached the pinnacle of his military career.
• 🐧 A memorable anecdote involved "Percy the Penguin," a stuffed animal used to lure Taliban attention, showcasing ingenuity in the field.