Canada in Afghanistan

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

November 17, 2007
Two Canadian soldiers die after LAV hits landmine

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The Canadian death toll in Afghanistan has risen by two.

Col. Christian Juneau said Corp. Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp of the 5th Field Ambulance in Valcartier and Pte. Michel Levesque of the Royal 22nd died early this morning.

They were riding in a Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) that hit an IED (improvised explosive device) on a road north of a Canadian forward operating base near Bazar-e Panjwaii.

An Afghan interpreter also died in the blast.

Three Canadian soldiers were transported to hospital at Kandahar Air Field with non-life threatening injuries.

RIP.

[John McGillivray]

Suicide bomber targets Canadian convoy in Panjwaii
Updated Tue. Dec. 11 2007 10:52 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A suicide car bomber attacked a Canadian convoy in southern Afghanistan today.
No Canadians were injured but a teenager and a child were evacuated to a Kandahar hospital, CTV's Murray Oliver reported from Kandahar.
The attack occurred around 3 p.m. local time as the convoy was returning to Kandahar Air Field after re-supplying Canadian troops in the field, said Oliver.
A man in a grey van parked on the side of the road detonated his explosives as the lead vehicle in the convoy pulled up beside him.
"The Canadian vehicle was a Nyala -- which is one of the newest and most impressive Canadian armoured vehicles -- it didn't sustain any damage at all," said Oliver.
Normally, Taliban activity quiets down in the winter because it's harder for the Taliban to import explosives via mountain passes from Pakistan, said Oliver.
"It's possible that there's going to be a burst of activity just prior to the winter passes being full," said Oliver. "But it's also possible that this is some kind of retaliation for the attacks the Taliban are encountering really throughout southern Afghanistan."
Provincial Police Chief Sayed Agha Saqib said the bomber died in the attack.
Saqib told The Associated Press that the Taliban also ambushed another convoy of NATO supply trucks on the main highway connecting Kandahar and Herat.
The attack provoked a two-hour battle that left five policemen and eight insurgents dead. No NATO casualties have been reported.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...1211?hub=World

Remembering our troops this Christmas ... Merry Christmas to all of you so far from home and loved ones!!!

Christmas packages for troops flood Kandahar
Updated Tue. Dec. 18 2007 10:11 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Canadians by the thousands are sending Christmas cheer to the 2,500 troops from this country serving in Afghanistan.

More than 6,000 kilograms of letters and parcels arrived at the Kandahar Air Field on Tuesday alone.

The two-week total is 43,000 kg. That represents about one-third of the mail received since August, when the current battle group arrived.

For the second consecutive year, Canada Post has shipped parcels to the troops from friends and family for free during the holiday period.

While all soldiers appreciate something from home, a bit of holiday cheer is especially welcome at the forward operating bases out in Kandahar province.

"Mail time is the best time of the day," one soldier told CTV News.

In those places where there's no hot water and only rarely hot meals, treats like cookies, candies and chocolate bars are very welcome.

But the soldiers also treasure the thousands of letters they get from schoolchildren.

In one letter, a child wrote: "I would like to know if you are scared to be in Afghanistan."

Another student told the troops: "I hope that our soldiers will be safe while you're in Afghanistan and come back to your families soon."

Warrant Officer Teresa Holmes said the letters make soldiers feel closer to their own children.

"Our kids can't be with us unfortunately, but this is the next best thing," she said.

Canada Post will be delivering for free to troops in Afghanistan until Jan. 11.

People should drop the items off in person at postal outlets.

The Department of National Defence will forward the mail to troops overseas but parcels should be addressed to a specific soldier. Senders should include the soldier's rank and mission information.

With a report from CTV's Murray Oliver in Kandahar

... just watching BRAVO COMPANY KANDAHAR on History Channel ... watching and listening to some of what our troops are doing and dealing with over there. (The main guy talking sure says EFF/EFFEN a LOT throughout though )

Can only imagine the Christmas over there.

[John McGillivray]

More sad news from Kandahar,...RIP.

Canadian soldier killed on patrol in Afghanistan
Updated Sun. Dec. 30 2007 11:05 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
An explosion has killed a Canadian soldier out on routine patrol in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province.
Four others were wounded in the blast, which occurred about 9:10 a.m. local time on Sunday.
The dead soldier has been identified as Gunner Jonathan Dion of the 5th Regiment d'Artillerie legere du Canada, which is based in Valcartier, Que.
"The soldiers were carrying out a routine vehicle mounted patrol when the vehicle they were travelling in was hit by an explosion," said an ISAF news release issued Sunday.
"They were immediately evacuated for medical care, sadly, one died of wounds inflicted by the explosion."
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the soldier who was killed and those who were injured," Wing Commander Antony McCord, Regional Command South spokesperson, said in the news release.

Canada has 2,500 soldiers operating in southern Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission.
Dion's is the 74th Canadian soldier to die since 2002. A Canadian diplomat has also been killed.

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

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Jan 07, 2008 00:37 ET
DND: Two Canadian Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

Cpl Eric Labbe was killed January 6, 2008, when his Light Armoured Vehicle rolled over, during a tactical move across difficult terrain. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Kandahar time in Nalgham, in the Zhari District, 40 km South-West of Kandahar City. Cpl Labbé was 31 years old and a member of the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment, based out of Valcartier, Quebec. (MARKETWIRE PHOTO/Department of National Defence)



OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 7, 2008) - Two Canadian soldiers were killed at approximately 6:30 p.m. Kandahar time on January 6, when their Light Armoured Vehicle rolled over, during a tactical move across difficult terrain.

The incident occurred in Nalgham, in the Zhari District, 40 km South-West of Kandahar City during Operation TENG AZEM (Steadfast Decision), a joint ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces operation, aimed at disrupting insurgent activities in the region and establishing a permanent coalition presence in the area. This incident was not the result of enemy activity.

The identity of one of the fallen is:

- Cpl Eric Labbe, age 31, 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, based out of Valcartier, Quebec.

At the request of the family of the second fallen soldier, the name will be withheld until tomorrow morning.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photograph of Cpl Labbe is available upon request at the Media Liaison Office and will be available on the Combat Camera Website (search under last name) at: http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/ in the morning of 7 Jan 08.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/em/2856

[Wayne McGee]

Stand Easy

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Jan 15, 2008 12:46 ET
Canadian Soldier Killed-One Other Wounded in Afghanistan

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 15, 2008) - At approximately 7:15 a.m. local time (in Kandahar) on January 15th, one Canadian soldier was killed when the armoured vehicle he was in struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED). One Canadian soldier was also injured.

The identity of the deceased soldier is Trooper Richard Renaud, 26 years old, of the 12e Regiment blinde du Canada based in Valcartier, Quebec.

The incident occurred during a presence patrol in the Arghandab District, approximately 10 km North of Kandahar city. The injured soldier was evacuated to the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield. The injured soldier is in good condition, has notified his family and is expected to be released from the hospital shortly.

The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Canadian Forces go out to the family and friends of Trooper Renaud.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Photograph of the fallen soldier will be forthcoming shortly at: www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca

As per normal procedure the identity of the injured soldier will not be released.

[John McGillivray]

Seven Canadian soldiers injured in two IED attacks
Updated Thu. Jan. 17 2008 9:41 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Seven Canadian soldiers suffered minor injuries in two incidents Wednesday, both involving suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The incidents mark the latest in a string of roadside bomb attacks against Canadian soldiers.
The first incident Wednesday occurred at 12:05 p.m. local time in the Panjwaii district, about 35 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.
The second incident took place at 2:45 p.m. local time in the same area, during the patrol operation called Teng Azem (Steadfast).
The soldiers were evacuated by chopper to hospital and six of the seven injured have since been released.
On Tuesday, Trooper Richard Renaud, of Alma, Que., was killed in southern Afghanistan when his Coyote armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb. Another soldier was injured in the incident.
On Monday, another IED blast rocked Panjwaii district but resulted only in property damage.
Last weekend, four soldiers were injured southwest of Kandahar city when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb.
Since 2002, 78 Canadian military personnel have died in Afghanistan, along with a Canadian diplomat. Most of the deaths have been the result of IED attacks.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...=SEAfghanistan

[John McGillivray]

R.I.P.

Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan, 2 injured
Updated Wed. Jan. 23 2008 10:29 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier was killed and two others slightly injured Wednesday when their light armoured vehicle triggered a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
The slain soldier's identity has been withheld at the request of the family.
The group was driving through the volatile Panjwaii district Wednesday afternoon on a road clearance operation, officials said.
They struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) about 35 kilometres southeast of Kandahar City at 1:40 p.m. local time.
The two injured soldiers have since been released from hospital.
The Manley panel report released Tuesday recommended that NATO provide troops with medium-lift helicopters. Analysts consider travelling by air much safer than by ground in southern Afghanistan, where the majority of Canadian casualties have been caused by roadside bombs.
Including Wednesday's death, 78 Canadian military personnel and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan since 2002.
More to come...

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

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

RIP...

Department of National Defence

Jan 23, 2008 23:18 ET
DND: Canadian Soldier Killed-Two Others Wounded in Afghanistan

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2008) - At approximately 1:40 p.m. local time (in Kandahar) today, one Canadian soldier who was part of a convoy was killed when the armoured vehicle he was in struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED), 35 km South-West of Kandahar City. Two Canadian soldiers were also injured.

The family of the deceased soldier have been advised but at their request, the name of the soldier is being temporarily withheld.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield. They are in good condition and have returned to duty. They have completed next of kin self-notification.

As we have seen in recent weeks, Joint Operations in Panjwayi are re-asserting coalition presence and disrupting insurgents' activities in areas known to be insurgent strongholds. This activity is generating a response from the Taliban mostly in the form of their weapon of choice - Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

We have lost a fine Canadian today, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this brave soldier.

NOTE TO EDITORS: As per normal procedure the identity of the injured soldiers will not be released.

For more information, please contact
Information: 613-996-2353/54
After hours: 613-792-2973
www.dnd.ca

[John McGillivray]

Here is an interesting slide presentation from the CBC showing the type of operations now being conducted in Afghanistan.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/photogallerie...ine/index.html

[sapper740]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
Here is an interesting slide presentation from the CBC showing the type of operations now being conducted in Afghanistan.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/photogallerie...ine/index.html

I thoroughly enjoyed watching our boys in action, God bless them all. Thanks for the link John. I wonder if logistics are a problem over there? There wouldn't be a problem with the Canadians and Ghurkas sharing ammunition should the need arise but I noticed the A.N.A. soldiers carrying belts of 7.62X54R, presumably for their DPM's and their AK's (didn't notice if they were 47's or 74's) fire another round altogether. At least the Canadian C7/C8/C9 all fire the same round.