Hundreds more Canadians could be headed to Afghanistan next year, as part of a military aid team the federal government is expected to announce today.

Citing an anonymous source, The National Post reports that between 250 and 500 soldiers will be sent to the southern half of the country to serve as

The paper reports the multidisciplinary battle group will be comprised of personnel from infantry, combat engineer and other military units across Canada.

The new troops would head to the Kandahar-area beginning next summer, to accompany the agencies, diplomats and aid workers also on the "provincial reconstruction team."

After cutting its troop deployment from 2,000 last summer, there are currently 700 Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan. They will be replaced by a fresh contingent in February.

On Thursday, the soldiers heading out for that six-month tour of duty took part in a mock exercise recreating the conditions of Kabul on the grounds of Canadian Forces Base Petawawa in Ontario.

For those who have never been on a mission overseas, the simulation was an introduction to life on Camp Julien, outside the Afghanistan capital Kabul.

But the troops concede 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.

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