It was a tearful farewell as about 150 soldiers said goodbye to loved ones in a subdued send-off at CFB Petawawa in Ontario Saturday, before departing on a six-month mission in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister John McCallum was on hand and admitted to the soldiers' families the mission -- the first deployment of frontline troops Canada is sending to the Afghan capital of Kabul -- will be dangerous.

But he also said Canada has to take a role both in its own defence and to protect the government and people in Kabul.

McCallum said the international force is the only thing preventing Afghanistan from, "falling back into that failed-state status that would allow the re-emergence of the al Qaeda and the risk of further terrorist attack."

"The world as a whole cannot afford to allow that to happen and it is right that Canada step up to the plate and do its part to stop that from happening," the minister said.

Later, McCallum added he would put his own job on the line if any Canadians die because of a lack of preparation or a need for better equipment.

Media reports have persistently reminded the soldiers and their families that Kabul, where four German soldiers were recently killed, is an unstable, unsafe place.

"It will have its dangers yes, that's why we have been doing so much training for it lately," Master Cpl. Yvon Gallant told CTV News.

For many of the troops, Afghanistan will be their first overseas operation and their first taste of real combat conditions.

"I'm a little apprehensive. This is my first time going on tour," said Leading Seaman Felix Gelinas.

Earlier this week, McCallum acknowledged the Afghanistan mission is far more dangerous than a typical United Nations peacekeeping operation.

But in an interview, the minister said the rules of engagement under which Canadians will operate are flexible enough to "reflect the high level of risk, including suicide bombers."

He also said the troops have been outfitted with an unusually "robust" array of equipment, including unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, special radar units and artillery.

The soldiers -- mostly cooks, signallers, medics and other members of the Third Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment -- are part of the 29-nation International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) already operating in and around Kabul.

The security force is charged with the task of protecting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's interim government and rooting out Taliban, al Qaeda and other resistance forces.

Canada is committed to two six-month rotations of 1,800 apiece in Afghanistan -- the first of which will begin patrolling in southwest Kabul on August 21st.

During their deployment, the 5,600 NATO-led troops have come under attack weekly. About 20 have died so far.

The military estimates between five and 10 Canadians will die over the course of two deployments in the next 12 months.