On October 2, 2003, Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger, two soldiers with The Royal Canadian Regiment, 3rd Battalion were killed and Master Cpl. Jason Hamilton, Cpl. Thomas Stirling, Cpl. Cameron Laidlaw were injured in a landmine blast while on a routine patrol of Kabul, Afghanistan. The RCR-3rd Battalion Group are based in Petawawa, Ontario.

This project of the Peacekeepers Demining Fund cleared 120,000 square metres of residential and agricultural land in the area of Kabul, Afghanistan in recognition of the service of the 3rd Battalion Group of the Royal Canadian Regiment and in memory of Sgt. Short and Cpl. Beerenfenger. While the soldiers in Afghanistan were not serving on a peacekeeping mission, their role as part of the International Stability Force was essential to preserving peace.

The project was undertaken by Afghan Technical Consultants (ATC) which was founded in 1989 and is one of the largest and leading mine clearance organizations currently operating in Afghanistan. ATC now employs nearly 1300 Afghans. ATC-07-08 and ACT-07 - 09 funded ATC Team #7 from June to September 2004.

Major Donors to this effort include:

• Operation Hockey Heroes organized by Mike Chatwin and Maj. John Lalonde supported by the Canadian Forces personnel serving at Camp Julien in December 2003.
• Peerless Garments, Winnipeg MB
• Hon. Hilary Weston
• Senators Against Landmines, led by Senator Elisabeth Hubley.