Canada in Afghanistan

[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier found dead in Kandahar Airfield
Updated Tue. Mar. 11 2008 7:27 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Military officials say a Canadian soldier has been found dead in Kandahar Airfield, but that his death is "not related to combat."
The soldier has been identified as Bombardier Jeremie Ouellet, 22, of the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, based in Shilo, Man.
Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche told reporters that the soldier was found at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday in an accommodation room.
"The Canadian Forces national investigation service has initiated an investigation to establish the details and circumstances of this tragic incident," he said. "As a result, no other details can be provided at this time."
Ouellet, born in Matane, Que, had arrived at the base within the past two weeks.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Bombadier Ouellet," said Laroche. "Our primary focus at this time is to provide the best possible support to his family and colleagues."
Canada has now lost 80 military personnel in the war-torn country since 2002, along with one diplomat and a civilian aid worker.
The latest death comes as the Canadian government prepares to decide whether to extend the mission until 2011, in a House of Commons vote expected Thursday.
More to come...
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[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP Sgt. Jason Boyes

CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Mon. Mar. 17 2008 2:01 PM ET

A Canadian soldier killed late Sunday while on a routine foot patrol in Afghanistan's turbulent Panjwaii District has been identified.

Sgt. Jason Boyes of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man., was killed after he stepped on an explosive device.

The 32-year-old was born in Lynn Lake, Man. He is the first Canadian to be killed while on foot patrol in nearly a year.

"We are devastated by this news. Jason loved his job, he loved the military, and his fellow soldiers loved him back. His world was his daughter, Mackenzie, his wife, Alison, his dogs and his family," Boyes' family said in a statement distributed by the military.

"This was his third tour in Afghanistan. We have always, and still do, support this mission."

Oliver Moore, a reporter with The Globe and Mail, told CTV's Canada AM on Monday that the soldiers were in an area known as Zangabad, which is about 35 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.

"Roadside bombs or Improvised Explosive Devices are certainly the biggest killer of Canadian soldiers here in Afghanistan," said Moore. "But for this to happen to a dismounted soldier -- a soldier on a foot patrol -- is quite rare and hasn't happened in about 10 months."

Boyes triggered the explosive device at about 8:20 p.m. He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries.

"We have lost a brother and a fine soldier," Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche said at a news conference in Kandahar Airfield.

"He answered the call of duty one last time in Afghanistan. We will honour his memory, his dedication, and his desire to make a difference in a country that has lost hope that one day its children will grow up to know the real sense of the words 'peace' and 'freedom.'"

Laroche said Boyes was part of the recent contingent that arrived in Afghanistan in the last few weeks.

Including Sunday's death, Canada has lost 81 military personnel in Afghanistan since 2002, along with one diplomat and a civilian aid worker. The majority of slain soldiers have died from Improvised Explosive Devices. NATO allies like the United States transport many of their troops by helicopter, because it's considered a safer alternative to travelling across lands infested with bombs.

Laroche said foot patrols enable soldiers to closely monitor the security situation and interact with local communities.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay has said he's working with the U.S. to acquire six battlefield helicopters for operations in Afghanistan.

Last Thursday, Parliament voted 198-77 to extend the Afghan mission until December 2011, on the condition that NATO provides Canada with an additional 1,000 soldiers.

Danish, Czech soldiers killed

In another incident in southern Afghanistan, two Danish soldiers and one Czech soldier, along with three Afghan civilians, were killed in a suicide car bombing, officials said.

A bomber attacked a convoy from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) near the village of Girishk in the southern province of Helmand.

[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan
Updated Fri. Apr. 4 2008 7:11 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan Friday after his armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.
Private Terry John Street, 24, was killed in the incident, Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche, the commander of Canadian forces in Afghanistan, confirmed Friday.
The explosion took place shortly after 6 p.m. local time, in the volatile Panjwaii district southwest of Kandahar city, long known as a hotbed for Taliban activity.
Street and his colleagues were redeploying for the evening, when the blast occurred, said Laroche.
Street, from Hull, Que., was with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man.
Laroche offered his sympathies to Street's family and said that Canada's presence in Afghanistan provides hope to future generations there.
He said he hoped that thought would bring comfort to the family and friends of the fallen soldier.
Street is the 82nd Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002.
Earlier this week, the U.S. announced it would be sending an additional 1,000 troops to assist Canada in Kandahar.
Then on Friday, U.S. President George W. Bush told NATO leaders that more troops, in addition to the announced Kandahar deployment, would be sent to Afghanistan.
At the NATO meetings, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada has extended its mission in Kandahar until 2011.

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[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP, Pte Street.

[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier dies in Afghanistan ambush
Updated Tue. May. 6 2008 4:27 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier has been killed and another wounded after their patrol was ambushed by the Taliban outside Kandahar on Tuesday.
Cpl. Michael Starker, of the 15 Field Ambulance Regiment, was pronounced dead in a military hospital on Tuesday after his patrol was ambushed during a patrol in the Pashmul region of Zhari district in Afghanistan.
CTV's Paul Workman told Newsnet on Tuesday from Kandahar that a second Canadian soldier was wounded but is in fair condition.
Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche, commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, says the wounded soldier is being treated in hospital at Kandahar Airfield and was able to call his family on his own.
The military has not released the name of the wounded soldier.
The soldiers were part of a civil-military co-operation unit that travels into villages to meet with Afghan locals and try to develop rapport.
"The intent was to exchange with the population -- something we could not do last year," said Laroche.
"We will maintain our presence there as long as we need to do so."
The Canadian soldiers came under fire at about 11:45 a.m. local time while on patrol in the Pashmul region, a hotly contested area since Canadian troops deployed in Kandahar.
Afghan security forces pursued the insurgents after the attack.
"There have been very few of these ambushes as of late. Most of the Canadians who have been killed in Afghanistan have been killed by roadside bombs," Workman said.
Laroche, who heads Canada's military mission in Afghanistan, said the army will review procedures in the wake of this incident.
"We have lost a fine soldier today and our thoughts are with his family and friends. He died helping Afghans build a better future for themselves and their children. His dedication and sacrifice will not be forgotten," the general said.
Canada's last death in Afghanistan came on April 4. Pte. Terry John Street -- of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man. -- died when a roadside bomb detonated under his vehicle in the Panjwaii district.
Tuesday's death brings Canada's total military deaths in Afghanistan to 83 since 2002.
Canada has 2,500 soldiers serving in Afghanistan. The military mission is scheduled to end in December 2011.

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[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Dammit....

[PPS]

Every time I hear or read of a service death, from whichever force, my thoughts go to those left behind - they were somebody's father/son/brother/cousin etc.

At least Canada makes a better job of saluting them than some.

May their God go with them and receive them - long may they be remembered for their sacrifice

I salute you all

Paul.