A helicopter whirrs overhead and tanks roar underfoot as a Canadian convoy comes under fire.

Casualties are rushed to the medical tent where they will be treated for their injuries.

You would think you were in Camp Julien, the base for Canadian forces outside of Kabul, Afghanistan, except for a few niggling details.

The surrounding landscape is not rocky and dry. There are trees visible up ahead.

That's because this camp is built on Petawawa grounds in Ontario, and not just outside the Afghan capital.

Canadian Forces Base Petawawa recreated Camp Julien on its grounds, albeit as a smaller one, complete with its own medical tent, kitchen and security checkpoints to prepare the 700 troops, most from Petawawa, who will be shipping out to Kabul in February.

On Thursday, the soldiers took part in a mock exercise in anticipation of their six-month tour of duty in the Afghan capital.

But in Kabul, the risk will be real and the bloodshed may not be imagined.

For some troops who have never been on a mission overseas, the simulation is an opportunity to come as close to a battleground without hopping on a plane.

Even so, there is no telling what these troops will face.

"Anything could change on us at a moment's notice," Master Cpl. Darleen Massicotte told CJOH's Chris Day, "It's just unpredictable what we could run into over there."

Private Hugh Ruff is looking forward to his first mission overseas.

"I joined the forces to help people and I think this is a very good way to do it. I guess that's why I'm excited to be given the opportunity to help people," he said.

Sergeant Anthony Jones has served abroad several times already but he's still eager for his deployment.

"I'm anxious to put things into play...it's game day for us."

Just last month military ombudsman Andre Marin said Canadian troops at Camp Julien were exhausted and overworked.

He said the troops were doing double duty because of a recent decision that slashed the deployment of soldiers Afghanistan from 2,000 to 700.

With files from CJOH's Chris Day