Canada in Afghanistan

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, Cpl. Dany Fortin and Cpl. Kenneth O'Quinn...

March 4, 2009

Three Canadian soldiers dead

Two wounded in roadside bomb attack
By Murray Brewster, THE CANADIAN PRESS

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Three Canadian soldiers died Tuesday and two others wounded following a massive roadside bomb attack northwest of Kandahar.

Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, Cpl. Dany Fortin and Cpl. Kenneth O'Quinn were killed when the explosive detonated near their armoured vehicle in Arghandab district, a normally a quiet region.

The soldiers were part of a quick reaction team that responded to a report of roadside bomb in the district, which is often used as a transit point for Taliban fighters coming down from the mountains towards the city.

"As they were returning from a call to clear an IED found on the road, their armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb," said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

He said the casualties were evacuated to the multi-national hospital at Kandahar Airfield.

There have been 111 Canadian soldiers, one diplomat and two aid workers who've died as part of the Afghanistan mission since 2002.

The wounded are listed in fair condition, but their names will not be released.

The Canadian military, with the addition of surveillance helicopters and unmanned drones, have stepped up patrols looking for roadside bombs, which have accounted for more than half the deaths.

In the last three years, the Canadian battle group has only fought two major engagements in the Arghandab district, a lush farm valley that's divided by a river and isolated from the city by ridge of mountains.

Known as the northern gateway to Kandahar city, Taliban forces tried to take over the Arghandab in the fall of 2007 following the death of Mullah Naquib, a powerful tribal leader.

They were beaten back by Canadian troops.

And following last summer's attack on Sarpoza prison, hundreds of freed Taliban militants fled into the leafy growth and twisted laneways of the region, resulting in several pitched battles.

Vance described Brown, a reservist with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, as someone who "always had an infectious smile on his face, no matter what the challenge."

The Niagara-area native leaves behind a wife and four children. In civilian life, he served as a police special constable.

Fortin, an air force member based in Bagotville, Que., who's middle name was Olivier, was known to his comrades as Danny-O.

He was an ardent fan of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.

Vance said O'Quinn was "a proud, dedicated soldier, who had a bright future ahead of him."

Known to his friend by his middle name, Chad, O'Quinn "believed he could accomplish anything in his life and everyone had the same faith in him," the general added.

[John McGillivray]

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[John McGillivray]

1 Canadian soldier killed, 4 injured by roadside bomb in Afghanistan
Last Updated: Sunday, March 8, 2009 | 4:14 PM ET
One Canadian soldier was killed and four were injured when a roadside bomb exploded near an armoured vehicle on patrol northeast of Kandahar city in Afghanistan, the military said Sunday.
The soldiers were conducting security operations in the Sha Wali Kot District when the explosion occurred at about 1:15 p.m. local time on Sunday, the military said.
Trooper Marc Diab from the Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed. He was serving as a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, the military said.
The injured soldiers, whose names are being withheld in to adhere with military policy, were taken by helicopter to a medical facility at the Kandahar Airfield. All are in stable condition and three of them will be taken to the Landstuhl medical facility in Germany.
More to come

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/0...-soldiers.html

[Darrell Zinck]

Tpr Diab Funeral/Iterment Details

FUNERAL

Visitation: 1700 -2100 hrs Monday - 16 Mar 09
Scott's Funeral Home
420 Dundas East, Mississauga, ON
905-272-4440

Funeral: 1000 hrs Tuesday - 17 Mar 09
Our Lady of Lebanon
1515 Queen St, Mississauga, ON
416-821-7070

Interment: 1300 hrs Tuesday
Assumption Roman Catholic Cemetery
6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON
905-670-8801
Reception to follow interment

Dress: DEU 1A (Medals)

Unit Memorial Service - RCD - CFB Petawawa

Location: St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Chapel, CFB Petawawa
Date: 25 Mar 09
Timing: 1045 hrs for 1100 hrs
Dress: DEU 1A (Medals)

These are the details to date.

Please check our Regimental Website for any last minute changes at www.dragoons.ca

regards
Darrell

[John McGillivray]

Four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Updated Fri. Mar. 20 2009 5:52 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Four Canadian soldiers have been killed and another eight injured in Afghanistan in two separate improvised explosive attacks.
The dead have been identified as: Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, 22.
Vernelli and Crooks died in an early morning blast at about 6:45 a.m. local time while on foot patrol in the Zhari district west of Kandahar. Another five Canadian soldiers were injured in that attack and a local interpreter was killed.
Bouthillier and Hayes were killed about two hours later when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb attack in the Shah Wali Kot district, about 20 kilometres northeast of Kandahar city. Three others were injured.
All the deaths occurred as the Canadians were taking part in a major operation attacking Taliban command centres and supply lines.
The operation was described as the largest joint Canadian-American military operation since Korea, CTV News' Jennifer Madigan reported from Kandahar.
All the wounded soldiers were evacuated by helicopter and are listed in stable condition.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, urged Canadians in a statement to not consider the deaths a failure of any particular person or the mission.
"Success in war is costly. We are determined to succeed so that Afghan lives improve, but the insurgents are equally determined to challenge and prevent Afghanistan from flourishing as the nation it so wants to be. Remember, the deaths of these superb Canadians occurred as Canadian Forces were bringing safety to those in peril. Today, they succeeded," he said.
Vance added that the soldiers died protecting the Afghan people.
All of the soldiers were based out of CFB Petawawa.
Madigan said the news of the deaths quickly spread around the Canadian base in Kandahar.
"The mood was very somber, it was very quiet . . . people sitting around breakfast without saying a word," she said.
Vernelli was described as an experienced and well-respected soldier. He is survived by his spouse and six-month-old daughter.
Madigan said that Vernelli's tour of duty was postponed earlier so he could be home for his daughter's birth and he was a "proud father."
Crooks was described as a keen soldier, an excellent athlete who "would do anything for you without even being asked."
Madigan said Crooks was very popular and often was seen sitting with much higher ranked officers.
Both Vernelli and Crooks were of November Company, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment.
Bouthillier was known for his sense of humour, Vance said, and practiced martial arts.
Hayes was a "proud and dedicated soldier . . . who stood up for what was right," Vance said.
Both Bouthillier and Hayes were of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
The deaths bring the total number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan to 116.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Our hearts go out to her family and comrades.

Canadian killed, 4 wounded in Afghan blast

Trooper Karine Blais, with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group, was killed by a roadside bomb north of Kandahar City, Monday, April 13, 2009.

CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Tue. Apr. 14 2009 1:58 AM ET

A Canadian soldier died and four others were wounded when their armoured vehicle rolled over an improvised explosive device north of Kandahar city on Monday.

The fallen soldier has been identified as Trooper Karine Blais. She was 21 years old and began her tour of duty just two weeks ago.

Blais was with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group -- the famed Quebec regiment nicknamed the Van Doos -- based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City.

The soldiers were travelling through the Shah Wali Kowt District, when the roadside bomb detonated at about 5 p.m. local time on Monday.

In a statement released Tuesday morning in Kandahar, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance described Blais as an energetic soldier who gave "100 per cent to every challenge she faced."

Vance said Blais demonstrated qualities of a future leader, adding she had a "unique sense of humour" and that she was respected by all members of her squadron.

"This young woman's life did not go to waste," said Vance. "Her life was lost in the pursuit of peace and stability."

Blais leaves behind her mother Josee, her grandmother Laurette and her brother, Billy.

The injured soldiers were airlifted to a military hospital at Kandahar airfield. Two of the soldiers were being treated by medical personnel and two have been released. The wounded soldiers have not been identified.

Blais is the second female Canadian soldier to be killed as part of the Afghan mission.

Capt. Nicola Goddard of the 1st Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery died in a grenade attack in the Panjwaii district, west of Kandahar city, on May 17, 2006.

Canada has lost 117 military personnel in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002. Of that number, the majority have died from roadside bomb blasts.

"All members of Task Force Kandahar are thinking of the family and friends of our fallen comrades during this sad time," the military said in a press release Tuesday. "We will not forget their sacrifice as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar Province."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[Greg]

My wife's first cousin's husband was in the vehicle that was hit when sapper Greenfield was killed in January and survived without a scratch. Greenfield was his best friend and he escorted him home. He went back to Afganistan after a two leave and had a minor flesh wound when another vehicle was hit.
May god bless all of the troops and help them.

Cheers,
Greg