Canada in Afghanistan

[John McGillivray]

Two Canadian aid workers killed in 'cowardly' attack
Updated Wed. Aug. 13 2008 3:32 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian, British-Canadian dual-citizen and an American-Trinidadian -- all female aid workers -- were killed in a "cowardly" attack Wednesday in Afghanistan along with an Afghan driver, according to the International Rescue Committee.
A second Afghani driver was critically wounded in the attack. The 30-year-old man has been hospitalized.
"Our hearts are broken, I don't have words for the extent of sorrow and sympathy we feel for their families and we are absolutely outraged and condemn in the strongest possible terms this cowardly senseless, brutal attack," Michael Kocher, IRC's vice-president of international programs, told CTV Newsnet Wednesday.
The women were working for the New York-based IRC, a group which provides emergency relief and rehabilitation and defends human rights in countries recovering from war.
They were travelling through Logar province towards Kabul in a clearly marked IRC vehicle when they were attacked by armed militants, the organization said. Logar province is south of the Afghan capital.
Kocher said that his organization had not received any specific threats.
"Afghanistan is a dangerous place . . . and it's been getting more dangerous over the last year," he said.
Three of the victims' names have been released by the IRC.
Jacqueline Kirk, 40, of Outremont, Quebec
Nicole Dial, 32, an American-Trinidadian
Mohammad Aimal, 25, the Afghan driver
The Canadian woman's name is not being released at this time at the request of her parents. She was believed to have been about 30-years-old.
Kirk was born in Britain. She had arrived to the area to provide technical assistance but wasn't permanently based in Afghanistan, said Michael Kocher, IRC's vice-president of international programs.
Kirk had been an education program advisor for the IRC since July of 2007 and had been involved with the organization for years.
"She was utterly compassionate, she was giving, she was courageous and she was very, very good at her work," he said.
The unnamed Canadian had been in the country for less than a year, he said. Dial arrived just a few months ago.
Both women were in Afghanistan to help with education and children's programs. Kocher said they were experienced in their field of work, having worked in other parts of the world.
The slain Afghan driver had worked with the IRC for five years.
"We are stunned and profoundly saddened by this tragic loss," George Rupp, president of the IRC said in a statement.
"These extraordinary individuals were deeply committed to aiding the people of Afghanistan, especially the children who have seen so much strife. Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan."
The IRC said it has suspended humanitarian aid work in Afghanistan indefinitely following the attack. The group has been working in the country for 20 years.
Kai Eide, the United Nations' top official in Kabul, called it a "cowardly attack."
Canadian foreign affairs officials were not immediately available for comment Wednesday.
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[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Three more of our boys down... sappers all, this time. RIP.

CTV.ca News Staff

Updated: Thu. Aug. 21 2008 12:10 PM ET Three Canadian soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan's Zhari district, Canadian military officials have confirmed.

Task force commander Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson made the announcement from Kandahar Thursday, adding that a fourth soldier was also injured by the blast.

The device detonated near the soldiers' vehicle at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time Wednesday, said Thompson.

"Afghan national police and Canadian Forces responded to the scene and medical evacuation was requested," he said.

"All four soldiers were evacuated to Kandahar Air Field. Sadly, three of the soldiers were confirmed dead by medical authorities."

Sgt. Shawn Eades has been identified as one of the soldiers killed in the attack.

Eades was widely "respected by his subordinates, his peers and his superiors," said Thompson.

"He was a veteran soldier and this was his third tour in Afghanistan," he said. "He was a devoted father who liked to share stories of his children with his colleagues and friends."

Thompson said the families of the other two soldiers killed have asked that their names be withheld at this time.

He added that the injured soldier was in "serious, but stable, condition."

The three soldiers were combat engineers with 12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Edmonton, and were attached to the Second Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group.

"They were a well-trained, highly motivated crew that believed in the mission," said Thompson.

"As combat engineers they were proud, resourceful and armed with the technical knowledge that they generally used to assist the mission in helping the people of Kandahar province."

The deaths bring the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died during the Afghan mission to 93.

[John McGillivray]

All three names have being released:

Sgt. Shawn Allen Eade, Cpl. Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden, Sapper Stephan John Stock

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Dammit... my thoughts are with them and their families right now...

Three Canadian soldiers killed, 5 wounded in Zhari, Afghanistan
CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Wed. Sep. 3 2008 1:07 PM ET

Three Canadians soldiers have been killed and five wounded during an insurgent attack in Afghanistan Wednesday morning.

The soldiers from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry were on a security patrol in a light armoured vehicle (LAV) when they came under attack, said Brig. Gen. Denis Thompson.

Following are the names of those killed:

* Cpl. Andrew Grenon
* Cpl. Mike Seggie
* Pte. Chad Horn

"The brave soldiers killed today were coming to the end of their tour and it saddens me to think of their loved ones awaiting their return later this month," Thompson said.

He released few details about the attack except to say the soldiers were not killed by an improvised explosive device, but by a direct attack in Zhari district of Kandahar province.

Of the five soldiers wounded in the attack, one is in critical condition, one is in serious but stable condition, two are considered to be in good condition and one has been treated and released, Thompson said.

The Princess Pats are based in Shilo, Man.

In total, 96 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have now been killed in Afghanistan.

[rob love]

Damn. The first rotation of guys coming home to Shilo is tomorrow morning. These guys would have been within a week or two of going on their disembarkation leave then going home.

I have to head out front and lower the flag again. Hopefully this is the last time this rotation.

[John McGillivray]

Infantryman killed, 7 injured in roadside blast
Updated Sun. Sep. 7 2008 2:01 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan has killed a Canadian soldier nearing the end of his second rotation, and wounded seven others, in Kandahar province's Panjwaii district.
Sgt. Scott Shipway, an infantryman with the 2nd battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, died less than a week before he was set to go home, Brig. Gen. Denis Thompson told reporters Sunday at a new conference in Kandahar.
"Scott was a seasoned veteran ... a dedicated father and a Saskatchewan Roughriders fan," Thompson said.
He added that fellow-soldiers called him "Papa Shipway" and his motto was "never let a comrade down."
His dedication was apparent when he helped save a fellow soldier's life during a roadside bomb attack in 2006.
"At that time, he disregarded the danger to himself, secured the area of the blast and began treating the casualties, including one who had lost both his legs," Thompson said.
"Using the radio he got direction from the chief surgeon and was able to stop the bleeding, thereby saving that soldier's life.
Shipway was cited for his quick reaction.
Thompson said friends and other soldiers admired Shipway because he never "sugarcoated the truth."
"He always gave you an honest answer, whether you wanted it or not," the general said.
Shipway was based at CFB Shilo and had joined the military in 1991. He had previously completed tours of duty in Cypress, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
The injured soldiers were well enough to personally tell their loved ones they were okay, Thompson said.
Shipway's death brings the number of Canadian deaths in Afghanistan to 97. Three Canadian soldiers were killed in an incident four days ago.
Pte. Chad Horn and Cpls. Andrew Grenon and Mike Seggie were killed in an ambush while conducting a security patrol in the volatile Zhari district on Wednesday.
Five other soldiers were wounded in that attack.
The bodies of the three soldiers arrived back in Canada on Saturday evening.


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[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

God Rest Your Souls, my lads.

Three soldiers killed, one injured in Afghanistan


CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Sat. Dec. 13 2008 5:39 PM ET

Three Canadian soldiers have died west of Kandahar city, after an improvised explosive device detonated. A fourth soldier was injured in the blast.

The soldiers were responding to reports of people planting a suspicious object.

The Canadian military said Saturday that primary next-of-kin have been notified, but the soldiers will not be identified until extended family members have been contacted.

The news came as 1,000 mourners paid tribute to Cpl. Mark Robert McLaren in a Peterborough, Ont., drill hall. He was one of three soldiers killed in a roadside blast on Dec. 5, bringing Canada's troop death toll to the grim milestone of 100.

McLaren, 23, died alongside Pte. Demetrios Diplaros, 23, and Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson, 27, on Dec. 5, when the armoured truck they were travelling in struck an IED.

Saturday's deaths occurred near where the Dec. 5 attack happened, just west of Kandahar City, on the border between the Arghandab and Zhari districts, near the village of Senjaray.

"It's the same type of attack, an IED, in almost exactly the same place," Globe and Mail reporter Graeme Smith told CTV Newsnet on the phone from Kandahar.

"It's a very dangerous stretch of highway that runs west of Kandahar city, just over the bridge that leads you out to the farmland where Canadians have been fighting for the last two years."

The area was not considered a Taliban stronghold until recently, Smith said.
With the latest attack, Canada's troop death toll is now 103. A Canadian diplomat has also been killed.