[Alex Blair (RIP)]

John Cotter, Canadian Press
Published: Sunday, July 09, 2006 Article tools
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Font: * * * * KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - A Canadian soldier was killed and two others were wounded Sunday in a brutal firefight as coalition troops called in air strikes and heavy artillery to blast Taliban strongholds west of Kandahar City.

Cpl. Anthony Joseph Boneca, 21, a reservist from the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment based in Thunder Bay, Ont., died Sunday morning, the 17th Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan, military officials said.

Boneca, fighting as part of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battle group, was killed as troops mounted aggressive patrols near the village of Pashmol, an area that has been a hotbed of Taliban activity over the past few months.

"There has been lots of contact. But unfortunately we have suffered the tragic loss of Cpl. Boneca," said Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, the Canadian commander on the multinational brigade in Kandahar.

"We really do have to admire his professionalism and his heroic efforts to help out people less fortunate than ours. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

A member of the slain soldier's family contacted at his parent's house in Thunder Bay said Boneca had been in the reserves for about four years, having joined immediately after high school.

He wasn't married but had a "very lovely girlfriend" whom he had been seeing for well over a year, said Elizabeth Babe, 63, an aunt.

Boneca, who started out in the militia, had previously done tours that included guard duty in the United Arab Emirates that included a couple of trips to Kabul before he arrived in southern Afghanistan in February, she said.

"He was always interested in the army," Babe added. "He just came home from one tour, worked a bit around, and signed up for the second tour.

"He's just the most wonderful boy. Very loyal, very strong, very intelligent, and thrilled to be part of the services. A real angel of a person."

Statements of condolence were immediately issued by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"Our prayers are with the loved ones of Cpl. Boneca in these difficult times and we stand proudly as a nation knowing that his sacrifice was not in vain; that he laid down his life for the safety of citizens in both Canada and Afghanistan," Harper said.

Jean said Boneca's death "serves as a further reminder of the dangers faced by our Canadian Forces every day in Afghanistan and also of the steadfastness of our members who each day try to make that country a better place to live.

"Today, we honour his memory as a hero who fought for what he believed in," she said.

A few hours after Boneca was hit, two other Canadian soldiers were wounded in action in the battle. Both were flown by helicopter to hospital at the international coalition base.

Their injuries were described as non-life threatening. Two other Canadians were wounded Saturday, one seriously, in a firefight in the same general area. None of their names have been released.


Canadian soldier based in Thunder Bay, Ont., killed in Afghanistan firefight John Cotter, Canadian Press
Published: Sunday, July 09, 2006 Article tools
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Font: * * * * Troops of the battle group and the Afghan National Army slowly combed through the region of mud-hut villages and lush fields of grapes, marijuana and other crops in search of the insurgents.

Infantry and armoured vehicles soon made contact with the Taliban, sparking the firefight. Eventually the coalition called in air strikes and artillery support.

U.S. Apache assault helicopters buzzed over the area like angry dragonflies, smashing targets. A-10 Warthog jets roared in dropping bombs. A battery of Canadian heavy guns pounded the insurgents with shells.

Word of Boneca's death spread quickly among the troops back at the international coalition base.

Master Cpl. Will Emsle, a fellow reservist who trained with Boneca, said the reality of losing his friend hadn't completely sunk in yet.

"I was surprised. I was really shocked," said Emsle, who is from Calgary. "He was a real joker. He loved to joke around. He was a good guy."

No soldier ever imagines they will get hurt, let alone die, he said.

"You just don't think about it to be honest with you. You can't think about it. But it is in the back of your mind when you go out there. It is just the line of work we do and these are the risks."

That ongoing threat of danger was driven home Sunday evening when the coalition base was hit by a 107-millimetre rocket that lightly wounded two coalition soldiers.

A Canadian flag was lowered to half-mast at a small memorial that commemorates soldiers who have died in Afghanistan.

The Pashmol area has been a major gathering point for Taliban, who have been ambushing convoys and attacking Afghan National Police outposts.

Canadian troops have defeated the insurgents in every major engagement in the region since May. But when coalition activity subsides, the Taliban regroup and become more active again.

Fraser said Boneca's death will not have any impact on the joint Canadian-Afghan operation to sweep the region of Taliban.

"We are going to carry on operations as they are," the general said. "We are not pulling back at all, we are leaning into this. We are going to push right through for as long as it takes."

Coalition troops are to assemble for a ceremony Monday morning at Kandahar airfield to pay tribute to Boneca, the 17th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.

His flag-draped coffin is to be loaded onto an air transport for the flight back to Canada.

© The Canadian Press 2006