What will be the biggest deployment of Quebec-based soldiers since the Korean War has begun as the first Van Doos stepped onto the soil of Afghanistan.

Over the next several weeks, many more planeloads of troops will arrive, most of those being members of the Royal 22nd Regiment based in Valcartier, Que.

Canadian troops serve six-month rotations in Quebec, and the rotation period is just starting.

When it's over in August, there will be about 2,500 new soldiers on the ground, with most members of the Van Doos. About 50 of them arrived Monday.

Politically, the deployment of the Van Doos comes with support in Quebec for the Afghan mission at low levels.

"I'm convinced that with the progress we make with our actions, Quebecers will better accept why we're here," said Capt. Jeremie Emond.

Sixty-six Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan since 2002. About 14,900 troops have served in the region.

The Taliban appear to be getting more effective at building roadside bombs, having killed soldiers inside both RG-31 Nyalas and LAV-III armoured carriers in the past few months.

"I expect the Taliban are well prepared. You can never underestimate your enemy but combat operations are only one portion of what we're trained for," said Capt. Patrick Hannan.

"Reconstruction and development and tying it all together, which is more complex, will be our biggest challenge."

Language issue

The Kandahar airfield hosts troops from other NATO countries too. English is generally the common language.

Interpreters used by the army to communicate with Afghans must get used to the new arrivals.

However, other Van Doos have served in the Kandahar mission. A company of 156 have worked at the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) base in Kandahar City since November.

Many of the new arrivals will also be deployed to the PRT base.

Maj. Kevin Mead, the assistant chief of staff for the current mission, said the operational tempo will be maintained over the current transition period.

Lt.-Col. Jean Trudel, chief of staff for the current mission, thought there were some cultural differences between anglophone and francophone soldiers.

"We approach problems and challenges perhaps differently. We probably want to have our poutine now and then," he said.

"However the values and the core ethics of the Canadian soldiers from Edmonton, Petawawa, or Valcartier ... remain the same."

With a report from CTV's Paul Workman and files from The Canadian Press