In a part of the world where brave gestures earn respect, tribal elders took notice when the commander of the multi-national forces in southern Afghanistan went on patrol in Kandahar, less than week after a series of attacks on his troops.

It's dangerous beyond the borders of Kandahar Airfield, the base where soldiers rest, train and plan for their forays into the often hostile countryside that surrounds the base.

Just last Saturday, a vicious axe attack during a meeting with tribal elders left Capt. Trevor Greene in critical condition.

Before that, a suicide bombing injured three and a vehicle accident injured two others and claimed the life of a third.

But Brig.-Gen. David Fraser in Afghanistan sent a message to the Taliban Wednesday that Canadians will not be scared away from their mission of helping rebuild the communities of the war-torn nation.

In soldier's slang, the 48-year-old Fraser ventured "outside the wire," and left the protective safety of the base, joining his troops for the first time to patrol the dangerous roads of Kandahar province.

He did a turn in the gun turret of the LAV III armoured vehicle transporting him.

Fraser even held another shura, the tribal meetings designed to broker peace and goodwill with Afghans.

Despite the axe attack on one of his troops in the same setting, Fraser removed his helmet and laid down his rifle in a gesture of goodwill.

"I can't do my job sitting down .... I can't sit in an office. I've got to get out here and do this stuff," Fraser, a former infantryman who heads the Multi National Brigade for Regional Command South (MNB RC (South)), told CTV's Steve Chao in Afghanistan.

The purpose of the Canadian mission simply can't be fulfilled without taking risks and getting in harm's way, Fraser said.

"We came over here as an international community to help these people. ... You've got to put yourself at some sort of risk to go and help them."

The top general's visit got the attention of tribal elders. During the shura, they explained that they want to set up a checkpoint to increase security on the notoriously dangerous stretch of highway where Canadian soldiers have been attacked.

Fraser's courage has also earned the respect of the men who serve alongside him.

"He's a leader and he's a soldier, so actually I think it builds confidence in the other soldiers that see that," said Master Warrant Officer Shawn Walsh, who is part of the security detail that guards the commander.

On another hazardous stretch of road, Fraser and his troops made an impromptu visit with a shepherd.

His security detail scrambled to maintain his safety, but the gesture, like the others, spoke volumes both to his own troops and to the Afghans about his commitment to the region.

With a report from CTV's Steve Chao