Conquist, Stefan Carlyle: my Afghanistan experiences (March 15, 2015)

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Rank: Bombardier.

Interviewee: Conquist, Stefan Carlyle, 1987-

Interviewer: Dale, Diana

An interview/narrative of Stefan Carlyle Conquist's experiences during the War in Afghanistan. Bombardier Conquist served with the Canadian Forces. Interview took place on March 15, 2015.

ABSTRACT: Military Oral History Project Interview Summary Narrator: Conquist, Stefan Carlyle, 1987 - Interviewer: Interviewed by Diana Dale Extent: 1 sound recording 1:41:29 147.6 MB Interview Date and Location: 15 March 2015 Conquist Residence, Victoria, B.C. Synopsis: 0:00 – 0:25 – Opening narratives 0:26 – 1:19 – Recruitment to the Canadian Forces 1:20 – 2:58 – Timeline of training and deployment 2:59 – 5:24 – Factors that led to deployment to Afghanistan 5:25 – 7:37 – Assignment to role of artillery gunner as a reservist 7:38 - 8:42 –Assignment to the Force Protection Platoon (FPP) 8:43 - 9:09 – Primary task in Afghanistan as a weapons operator 9:10 – 16:37 – Training for deployment to Afghanistan 16:38 – 22:50 - Issues with the LAVRWS; Story about experience with the potential negligent discharge 22:51 – 25:27 – Thoughts on training 25:28 – 34:07 – Explanation of equipment used; Browning Hi-power pistol; C7 assault rifle; C9 light machine gun (LMG); RG31 Nyala; LAVRWS; Radios 34:08 – 35:58 – Explanation of cryptography and crypto keys 36:00 – 44:46 – Duties as a vehicle crewman 44:47 – 51:13 – Convoy size and make-up 51:14 – 56:42 – Minor incidences with the enemy 56:43 – 58:10 – Explanation of the Force Protection Platoon (FPP) 58:11 – 1:07:21 – Duties as a weapons operator with the FPP 1:07:22 – 1:08:10 – Crews in the FPP 1:08:11 – 1:13:00 – Conditions at KAF versus the forward operating bases (FOBs) 1:13:01 -1:14:53 – Dand District Centre; Death of Canadian soldiers on 30th December 2009 by a roadside bomb 1:14:54 – 1:17:00 - Continued explanation of conditions at the FOB 1:17:01 – 1:19:05 – Accommodation in the FOBs 1:19:06 -1:19:33 – Recipient of General Campaign Star 1:19:34 – 1:20:48 – Naming of rotation 1:20:49 – 1:28:51 – Relationship with the Afghan civilians; Anecdote about “Obama” nickname 1:28:52 – 1:31:33 – Thoughts on the overall experience in Afghanistan 1:31:34 – 1:32:43 - Thoughts on returning to Afghanistan 1:32:44 – 1:33:57 - Transition back to life in Canada after deployment 1:33:58 – 1:38:43 - Evaluation of Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan 1:38:44 – 1:41:10 - Thoughts on decompression in Cyprus 1:41:11 – 1:41:29 - Closing Narratives Suggested Clips for Archive: 16:38 – 22:50 – Issues with the LAVRWS and the potential negative discharge story Subject Key Words: CFB Edmonton, 5th Field Regiment, DAG, Suffield, Wainwright, BMQ, Supply and Transportation, weapons operator, LAV, LAVRWS, RG31 Nyala, Tactical Casualty Combat Care (TCCC), Browning Hi-power pistol, crpytokey, cryptography, combat logistics patrol, 86-Juliet, Camp Nathan Smith (CNS), howitzer, Force Protection Platoon, GIB (Guy in Back), Dand District Centre, Obama, Sgt. Fisher, Operation Athena, Sperwan Ghar, Route Hyena, Hyena Road, Provincial Reconstruction Team, General Campaign Star, Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police (ANP), Taliban, failed states, decompression, Cyprus

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Date created Relation
  • Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage Coordinates
  • 48.4359, -123.35155
  • 33, 66
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original sound recording (M4A) also available.
Physical Repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • CSC_818
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 6, 2015
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2015. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
Rights
  • This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
DOI
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file details Conquist_S_818_01.mp3