Canada in Afghanistan

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

For those that can get out to the highway of hero's to pay there respects,here is the timetable...Get there early...25 below zero or not there is standing room only..
RIP brother..

Department of National Defence

Jan 09, 2009 12:54 ET
DND: Our Fallen Soldier Returns Home

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 9, 2008) - Our fallen soldier, Trooper Brian Richard Good, will return home to Canada on Saturday, January 10, 2009.

Where: 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario.

When: Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.

What: At the wishes of the family, media will be permitted on the tarmac.

Present to pay their respects will be Her Excellency The Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Minister of National Defence, The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Chief of Defence Staff, General Walt Natynczyk and other dignitaries.

Trooper Good from The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, and serving with 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, and three other Canadian soldiers were injured when their armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device approximately 35 kilometres north of Kandahar City in the Shah Wali Kowt District. The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m., Kandahar time, on January 7, 2009.

Note to Editors/News Directors:

Interested media may contact Lieutenant Annie Morin, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Public Affairs Officer, who can be reached at (613) 243-7330.

For general queries, please contact the Media Liaison Office at (866) 377-0811, or on weekends 613-792-2973. For flight information, please contact the Air Passenger Terminal at 1-800-487-1186.

For more information, please contact
Information: 1-866-377-0811/613-996-2353
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[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan
Updated Sat. Jan. 31 2009 4:27 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier was killed in Afghanistan Saturday as he participated in a major operation to locate bomb-making factories in Taliban territory.
Sapper Sean David Greenfield, 25, was killed when the armoured vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device in the Zhari district, west of Kandahar city.
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce that a Canadian soldier was killed today," Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, Canada's top military commander in Afghanistan, said.
Greenfield was killed at the tale end of a joint operation with American and British troops to root out the Taliban's bomb-making abilities.
"The mission in question was meant to go into a zone, the western part of Panjwaii and Zhari districts in order to go after specific Taliban compounds of interest, where we did find. . .bomb-making material and other weapons," Thompson said.
The incident occurred as hundreds of soldiers fanned out over 20 kilometres, looking for Taliban weapons caches.
The other soldiers in the vehicle were not hurt, Thompson said.
Greenfield was a member of 24 Field Engineer Squadron, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment based out of Petawawa, Ont., serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.
Thompson described Greenfield as exceptionally fit and said the young soldier recently completed a combat diver's course. He added that Greenfield aspired to join JTF2, Canada's elite and secretive special forces team.
Greenfield was described as having a great sense of humour and someone who loved to sing and play guitar.
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continue to plague Canadian troops in Afghanistan. IEDs are responsible for more than half of all Canadian troop deaths in the country, which now total 108.
Canadian soldiers have ramped up efforts to seek out IED materials in recent months.
In early January, Operation Shahi Tandar (Royal Thunder), a joint operation between Canadian, British and Afghan troops, seized detonators, wires and tubes, and other bomb-making materials.
Saturday's search yielded even more material that would be used to make IEDs.
"The engineers went in and found what seems to be a bit of a false wall," Platoon Commander Lieut. Aron Corey told reporters. "In behind that were some spools of wire, the same type of wire that's used in IEDs."

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

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Department of National Defence

Apr 24, 2009 05:02 ET
One Canadian Soldier Dies in Afghanistan

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 24, 2009) - At approximately 4:00 p.m. Kandahar time, 23 April 2009, a Canadian Forces member was found dead in her accommodation room, at Kandahar Airfield.

Deceased is Major Michelle Mendes, based in Ottawa, Ontario.

An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances of this incident. No further details are available at this time, although enemy action has been ruled out.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our lost comrade. Our primary focus at this time is to provide the best possible support to the family of our soldier and to her colleagues.

The immediate family of Major Mendes has no comment at this time. They are asking that the media respect their privacy and they will provide a statement in due course.

Note to Editors: A photo of the deceased Canadian Forces soldier is available on the Combat Camera website at: www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Looks like the boys in blue are going to make some new maps for the lads..(and lassies)

Department of National Defence

Department of National Defence AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS

AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS
May 08, 2009 12:19 ET
Canada's Air Force to Produce Maps for Canadian Troops in Afghanistan

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 8, 2009) - The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced that two CP-140 Auroras deployed overseas yesterday for approximately two months to produce maps for Joint Task Force-Afghanistan.

The Auroras and their two crews will produce high-resolution, colour and stereo imagery in support of Operation ATHENA, the Canadian contingent to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan. The type of imagery that will be gathered will promote interoperability and operational success since it can be shared across the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), including the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

"The deployment of the Auroras and their highly specialized sensor equipment displays our commitment to the security and effectiveness of this United Nations-mandated, NATO-led mission," said Minister MacKay. "The Aurora crews will produce valuable digital aerial imagery to improve awareness of the situation on the ground for deployed Canadian Forces and allied troops."

The maps produced will cover new ground where no detailed maps exist or be an improvement over existing out-dated maps where developments have changed the landscape. Imagery collected will be based on priority areas identified by the Canadian Forces and allies in conjunction with Joint Task Force -Afghanistan.

"The Auroras' deployment to Afghanistan to perform overland mapping represents an expansion from its long-time role of maritime patrol," said Lieutenant-General Angus Watt, Chief of the Air Staff. "This deployment will demonstrate and increase the experience levels of the CP-140 air and ground crews and be a milestone event for the Long Range Patrol community."

Canada's Air Force has played a critical role in supporting the mission in Afghanistan since 2002, contributing vital airlift; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and other mission-essential support involving approximately 20 per cent of the personnel deployed in support of the operation.

For detailed information about Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, visit: http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.c.../index-eng.asp

For more information, please contact
National Defence Media Liaison Office
Information: 1-866-377-0811 / 613-996-2353
After hours: 613-792-2973
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[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Department of National Defence
Jul 03, 2009 14:45 ET
One Canadian Soldier Killed and Five Injured in an Explosive Device Strike

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 3, 2009) - One Canadian soldier was killed and five injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Zhari District. The incident occurred south-west of Kandahar City at around 11:20 a.m., Kandahar time, on 3 July, 2009.

Killed in action was Cpl Nicholas Bulger from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Role 3 Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield. They are in good condition and under medical care.

The identities of the injured soldiers will not be released.

The soldiers were members of the Task Force Kandahar Headquarters.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time.

Members of Task Force Kandahar are committed to improving security and increasing development in Kandahar Province. Despite these cowardly attacks we are determined to continue working with our Afghan and international partners towards a better future for the people of Afghanistan.

Note to Editors:

A photograph of Cpl Bulger is available on the Combat Camera website (search under last name) at: www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca

For more information, please contact
Information: 1-866-377-0811 / 613-995-2353
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[servicepub (RIP)]

Shit! I hate seeing this thread updated in my e-mails, 'cause I know it will be another announcement of the loss of a good Canadian soldier.
RIP soldier

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP, Private Lormand.

Canadian soldier killed by IED blast in Afghanistan



Pte. Patrick Lormand, 21 of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, is seen in this image made available by the Department of National Defence.

The Canadian Press

Updated: Mon. Sep. 14 2009 5:36 AM ET

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The 'bright, clear eyes' of another young Canadian soldier were closed forever Sunday as an improvised explosive device raised Canada's death toll in this bleak and unforgiving land to 130.
Pte. Patrick Lormand, 21 of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment was killed and four others were injured in a roadside IED blast approximately 13 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.

"He did not come here as a potential victim, he came here to help and help he did. He does not need to be told his efforts are futile for he could see positive results in the communities he was protecting," said an emotional Brig. Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Task Force Kandahar.

"You need only look into those young, clear eyes to know that he was a good soul, who tried every day to do the right thing and saw in the results of his efforts a chance to succeed on a wider scale on behalf of Canadians and Afghans alike."

An opinion column that ran in several Canadian newspapers from Colin Kenny, the chair of the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, criticized the Afghan mission as being `futile' and said "It's time to retreat from Canada's Vietnam".

"He took a fatal strike where an Afghan family might have. He lived in the community so they knew the families he was protecting and they saw him as just that -- a protector," said Vance.

"Neither he nor his family benefit from uninformed opinions about what his goals were and the techniques he used to achieve them," he added. "The thousands of young, clear, determined eyes that remain wide open here in Kandahar are working hard, every day to protect and stabilize the population -- not an impossible mission as some might suggest."

Pte. Lormand was on a patrol in the volatile Panjwaii district, where Canadian soldiers have been battling the Taliban for the past few years. The injured soldiers were treated at Kandahar Airfield for minor injuries and released.

The incident happened at 1 p.m. Kandahar time on Sunday. Journalists at Kandahar Airfield were informed almost immediately but it was nearly a full 24 hours before the Canadian forces lifted the embargo.

Lormand, or "Lorm" as he was known to his friends, was well liked and his good humour and happiness was credited with raising the morale of his section and his platoon.

He had pride in his mission, said Vance, and was dedicated to his peers and to his career as an infantryman. He is survived by his parents Jacques and Sylvie Lormand.

The latest incident happened one week after another powerful blast hit an armoured vehicle in the same area, killing 36-year-old Maj. Yannick Pepin and Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin, 31.

Both men were members of the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment and were stationed in Valcartier, Que.

Lormand is the 12th soldier killed during the current rotation.
A few days ago, the Chief of Canada's Defence Staff, Gen. Walter Natynczyk had been urging soldiers here to be careful and not to let down their guard as their tour came to an end.

The IED has become the weapon of choice for the Taliban for over two years. Seventy-one of the 130 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan have died from IED strikes. Since April of 2007 - 62 of the 85 Canadian deaths were the result of improvised explosive devices which are cheap and easy to make.

Six Canadian soldiers died on April 8, 2007 - Sgt. Donald Lucas, Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, Pte. Kevin V. Kennedy, Pte. David R. Greenslade, Cpl. Christopher P. Stannix and Cpl. Brent Poland.

"His was a world where success is something won under the hardest of circumstances, where ideas are turned into action and where the Canadian forces seek to protect and stabilize," said Vance.

"Rest in peace brother Patrick."

[Mark W. Tonner]

OTTAWA – One Canadian soldier was killed and two injured by an improvised explosive device that detonated near their dismounted patrol. The incident occurred approximately 20 kilometres south-west of Kandahar City at around 9 a.m., Kandahar time, on 28 October 2009.

Killed in action was Lieutenant Justin Boyes of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, serving with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield and are in good condition. The next of kin for the injured soldiers have also been notified. The identities of the injured soldiers will not be released.

Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of our fallen comrade.

Members of Task Force Afghanistan work with Afghan security forces for the greater good of Afghanistan. We remain focused and determined to bringing peace, stability and good governance despite the challenge imposed on us by the insurgents. We remain committed to Afghanistan.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball

Just saw on Global news that there was a suicide bombing against another LAV this moring. None killed, but several wounded. The bomb blew out all the right-side tires, but it looks like the armour retained its integrity.

More to follow.

Department of National Defence


Department of National Defence
Jul 16, 2009 11:40 ET
One Canadian Soldier Killed on Operations

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 16, 2009) - One Canadian soldier died while conducting operations in the Panjwayi District. The incident occurred approximately 17 kilometres south-west from Kandahar City at around 6:00 a.m., Kandahar time, on July 16, 2009.

Killed in action was Private Sebastien Courcy from 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment based in Quebec City, Quebec. Pte Courcy was serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment Battle Group.

Pte Courcy was evacuated by helicopter to the Role 3 Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield.

Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of our fallen comrade.

Canadian soldiers and their ANSF partners work together for the greater good of Afghanistan. Security operations sometimes require a heavy price to be paid, but the challenge we face cannot deter us from our ultimate goal and commitment we have toward Afghans.

Note to Editors:

A photograph of Pte Courcy is available on the Canadian Forces Image Gallery website (search under last name) at: www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca

For more information, please contact
Information: 1-866-377-0811/613-996-2353
After hours: 613-792-2973
www.forces.gc.ca
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[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Two more good Canadian troops paid the ultimate price 1 ST August..Go with God ..Bless you..
RIP..


Department of National Defence




Aug 03, 2009 10:15 ETName of Second Canadian Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Released
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 3, 2009) - The identity of the second Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan on August 1, 2009 is as follows:

- Sapper Matthieu Allard from 5e Regiment du genie de combat serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment Battle Group based in Valcartier, Quebec.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A photograph of Sapper Matthieu Allard is available on the Combat Camera Website (search under last name) at: http://www.combatcamera.ca.



For more information, please contact

Information: 613-996-2353/54
After hours: 613-996-2353
www.forces.gc.ca Click here to see all recent news from this company

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Two more deaths of our troops and five injured,,.
God bless 'em and rest in peace..

Department of National Defence


Department of National Defence
Sep 07, 2009 08:19 ET
Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the Deaths of Major Yannick Pepin and Corporal Jean-Francois Drouin

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 7, 2009) - The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Gateway, issued the following statement today on the deaths of two Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan:

"The Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence mourn the deaths of Major Yannick Pepin and Corporal Jean-Francois Drouin, who made the ultimate sacrifice today in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their loved ones in this time of grief, and to the five other Canadian Forces members injured in this attack.

Major Pepin and Corporal Drouin died when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle in which they were travelling in the Dand District, southwest of Kandahar.

Their tragic passing illustrates some of the risks that the selfless men and women of the Canadian Forces face every day in carrying out their duties.

Canada is in Afghanistan as part of a UN-sanctioned mission to help build a stable, democratic, and self-sufficient society. Progress toward this goal cannot be made in an unstable security environment. Our Canadian Forces members are playing a key role in this NATO-led mission, helping improve the security situation in order to create the conditions necessary for Afghans to live normal lives.

Major Pepin and Corporal Drouin were helping to bring back hope to a population that has seen much hardship and turmoil.

This is a tragic loss for the Canadian Forces and all of Canada.

Major Yannick Pepin and Corporal Jean-Francois Drouin were members of 5e Regiment du genie de combat, based at CFB Valcartier.

[Lang]

Having checked on this thread from time to time it occurs to me there must be a similar American forum with ten times the depressing list of casualties in Afghanistan. Add to that the British, Australians, Dutch, Belgians etc who are being killed or wounded daily.

I feel I am of average intelligence with a long interest in the military and follow world affairs very closely. Despite this I have NEVER seen or heard anyone from any nation explaining exactly what we doing there and what we are trying to achieve.

Political clap-trap about "improving the lives of the Afghan people" seems to be the sum total of the reasons for a continuous growing list of dead soldiers.

The recent highly talked-up elections with almost no elector turnout and now the totally expected corruption cries from the losers was the publicised justification for the slaughter of our soldiers for the last two years - a total failure.

Abysmal double standards are evident when the world's prime source of heroin could be totally eradicated in a few weeks but is left to grow so the farmers will not be influenced to turn to the Taliban after losing an income (they have only had in relatively recent years anyhow). The Americans and all of us partners should rightly be listing the ruined lives and miserable deaths of thousands of our people through the use of this "agricultural" crop as casualties of the war as well.

What military aims do we have other than to drive around until unlucky enough to be killed by a remotely fired explosive placed by an enemy who seldom gathers in numbers large enough to result in any decisive or even telling battle. I don't know, none of the Generals I have seen interviewed know, can the politicians please tell us.

The British were massacred in Afghanistan over several campaigns, the might of the entire Russian military effort could make no headway despite much more relaxed rules of engagement, restrictions or ethics than now restrict our troops.

Sure, Afghan life was not the best under the Taliban but Afghanistan is a shining light of peace and freedom compared to a long list of other countries. Who cares about the Congo and Angola where 6 million (yes the same number as the entire holocaust!) have died and continue to die. Rwanda - millions, Somalia - million etc etc.

Is there anyone on the forum who can tell me (and the rest of the world) EXACTLY why we are in Afghanistan and what are the exact military aims which justify the staggering cost and dismal casualty lists.

Lang

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

One critical, three serious.

[John McGillivray]

From CBC news:

5 Canadian soldiers injured in suicide attack
Last Updated Fri, 03 Mar 2006 06:14:11 EST
CBC News
A suicide bomber drove his vehicle into a Canadian military convoy outside Kandahar Friday, injuring five Canadian soldiers, said the military.
One of the Canadians received serious injuries to his arm, while the four others are lightly wounded.
The seriously injured soldier will be flown to a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. A surgeon at the Kandahar military base said the soldier will likely undergo reconstructive surgery and should be able to keep his arm, said CBC reporter Patrick Brown.
A small Toyota truck rammed into the soldiers' armoured LAV-3 and exploded, causing a loud blast and sending plumes of smoke into the air. The soldiers had been escorting a convoy of investigators looking into a January attack that took the life of Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry.
A spokesperson for the Taliban told Associated Press it sent the bomber, who it said was an Afghan from Kandahar province.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/nation...ide060303.html

To add insult to injury: The day after George Bush’s visit to Afghanistan, an American Maj. General orders all Canadian flags taken down.

Only Afghanistan colours can fly
Soldiers angered by rule

Chris Wattie, with files from Mary Vallis, National Post
Published: Thursday, March 02, 2006
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Canadian soldiers in southern Afghanistan have been ordered, under a directive from a U.S. general, to lower the Maple Leaf from flagpoles at their two bases, from over their tents and even from the aerials atop their vehicles.
The order from Major General Benjamin Freakley states that the only flag to fly over coalition bases, facilities or vehicles will be the red, green and black Afghan flag.
"I specifically asked my commanders to think about our flags," Maj.-Gen. Freakley said this week.
"We had a plethora of flags all over the compounds ... I asked us to think about who we're serving and who we're serving with."
There are troops from dozens of different countries under his southern Afghanistan command, including 2,200 Canadians based in Kandahar Air Field and a smaller provincial reconstruction team camp in the city of Kandahar.
The flag order was applied to almost every non-Afghan flag in the Canadian section of the sprawling air field base, including regimental flags hung or flown from the soldiers' barracks, tents or rest areas.
The order has caused some hard feelings in the ranks.
"Sure, we should show the Afghan flag," said one non-commissioned officer, who had to remove a Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry flag from a makeshift patio set up by his platoon. "But this is bull----. What about soldiers' pride? What about regimental pride? No Afghans would ever have seen this where we had it."
Scott Taylor, editor of Esprit de Corps military magazine in Ottawa, said national pride is an important reason many soldiers join the Canadian Armed Forces.
"It seems a bit almost silly that they are going to see that flag and then somehow feel kindred to us in such a fractious civilian population as it is. They're all under different warlords. How many of them even recognize or respect the national flag, particularly the ones that we're going to be fighting?" Mr. Taylor asked.
"Our guys didn't join up as Afghan mercenaries.... Our guys take their oath of allegiance to the Queen. And the Governor-General is our commander-in-chief, not [Afghan President] Hamid Karzai."
The flag order also applies to U.S. soldiers, who still make up most of the coalition forces in southern Afghanistan.
Maj.-Gen. Freakley said the idea was to make it clear the foreign soldiers are there to help the Afghan government.
"I don't want us to find reasons to pull back from the people of Afghanistan and not be teammates and get behind national barriers or anything," he said.
"We're trying to make subtle, transitional moves to help the people of Afghanistan fend for themselves. In no way is it intended to suppress any national pride."
He said the soldiers of the coalition still wear their national flags on the sleeves of their uniforms and that ought to be enough.
Brigadier-General David Fraser, the Canadian general who took command of a multinational brigade based in Kandahar this week, said he supported the order.
"It goes back to the cultural sensitivity training that we did back in Canada. This is not Canada, this is the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan [and] we've got to respect their cultures and traditions," he said.

http://www.canada.com/national/natio...7-ca9a56410220

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

According to CTV News:

CTV.ca News Staff

Updated: Fri. Mar. 3 2006 7:41 AM ET

Five Canadian soldiers were injured -- one seriously -- in a suicide bomb attack Friday near Kandahar, the Canadian military said.

One soldier is in critical but stable condition, and underwent surgery for wounds to his arm. He is expected to be airlifted to the U.S. medical facility at Landstuhl in Germany.

The other four soldiers were slightly hurt in the blast, the military said. They are expected to return to duty shortly.

A man driving a white Corolla in the opposite direction turned his vehicle into the convoy that was carrying the Canadian patrol and detonated his explosives, said CTV's Steve Chao, reporting from Kandahar.

The blast left a large crater in the road, and was loud enough that it could be heard by soldiers at the provincial reconstruction team base, kilometres away.

Names of the injured have not yet been released, pending notification of kin.

This is the first time that a suicide bomber has targeted a LAV III vehicle.

The seriously injured soldier was outside of a hatch, in the air sentry position out back, where he has machine guns trained on any potential attackers.

"And this is the position that often where we see the injuries occur," said Chao.

....

[chris vickery]

Sorry guys, but here it comes. All i can say is what a bunch of F***ing B******T!!!
Once again, Canadians take a backseat to political correctness. Our men and women are fighting as Canadian soldiers under the Canadian flag. Not the Stars and Stripes, or the Afgan rag, but the maple leaf. If I were in the CF right now I'd walk in, resign my tenure and head home, or go to jail if need be. I certainly wouldn't agree to ride in a LAV, G wagen or any other mv adorned with a foreign country's flag on it. The flag of our nation is respected all around the world and to tell our tropps to remove it, cease displaying it etc is an insult. TOTAL BULLSHIT. Lets bring our boys home and let these assholes rot in their shithole country.... same goes for Iraq. To top it off, why should we take orders from some American MGen. I somehow doubt any American would listen to our request to cease from flying the Stars and Stripes...

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by chris vickery
Sorry guys, but here it comes. All i can say is what a bunch of F***ing B******T!!!
Once again, Canadians take a backseat to political correctness. Our men and women are fighting as Canadian soldiers under the Canadian flag. Not the Stars and Stripes, or the Afgan rag, but the maple leaf. If I were in the CF right now I'd walk in, resign my tenure and head home, or go to jail if need be. I certainly wouldn't agree to ride in a LAV, G wagen or any other mv adorned with a foreign country's flag on it. The flag of our nation is respected all around the world and to tell our tropps to remove it, cease displaying it etc is an insult. TOTAL BULLSHIT. Lets bring our boys home and let these assholes rot in their shithole country.... same goes for Iraq. To top it off, why should we take orders from some American MGen. I somehow doubt any American would listen to our request to cease from flying the Stars and Stripes...

Couldn't agree more. We have a fine history of fighting and dying for other peoples' freedoms... UNDER OUR OWN FLAG. We should tell the yanks to screw off and leave us to do our jobs in the best way we know how.

Just too bad we need their resources in order to do those jobs...

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
From CBC news:

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Canadian soldiers in southern Afghanistan have been ordered to lower the Maple Leaf from flagpoles at their two bases.....

Geoff, do you have any Red Ensigns you could send?

Originally posted by Tony Smith
Geoff, do you have any Red Ensigns you could send?

I think he's all out right now Tony ... but maybe he ordered some

[DaveCox]

Quoted from another forum, and attributed to 'The Star' in Calgary: "Master Cpl. Michael Loewen was seriously injured and will need major reconstructive surgery to save his arm, but he will survive, a surgeon says. Loewen was on his way Friday night to the U.S. combat casualty hospital at Landstuhl, Germany ".

Mike is a member of several modellers forums on the internet, and someone that I feel I know, although we've never met in person.
I just hope that he and his comrades get the treatment they need and then a fast flight home.

[John McGillivray]

There is a report on CBC this morning of another Canadian wounded in a firefight north of Kandahar. No details yet and nothing on line.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
There is a report on CBC this morning of another Canadian wounded in a firefight north of Kandahar. No details yet and nothing on line.

It's been on CTV Newsnet on the TV this morning. It was an ambush; the ambush was broken with one BG KIA, but this Canadian was wounded in the head. He was flown to Khandahar airport and is in surgery as we speak. Hopefully it's not serious.

Just an aside... ironic as hell, isn't it, that for all the resentment a lot of our people have for Americans, their flight crews are saving Canadian lives almost daily. At least our soldiers know what the score is... I just wish some of the slavering, anti-American idiots here would "get it".

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

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

Right out of the dark ages. This last attack was an axe attack as Lt. Trevor Greene of the Seaforth Highlanders was sitting down, uncovered, with tribal elders. Other Canadians on-scene shot the attacker dead and chased away at least one more, but it was too late. Lt. Greene had been earlier lightly wounded in a roadside bomb attack, but had returned to duty at his own insistence. I pray he survives this one, intact.



This war gets stranger and stranger every day.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

http://www.closingbigger.com/page141.htm

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
http://www.closingbigger.com/page141.htm

He sounds like an amazing guy.

Some of those houseboats at Fishermans Wharf are pretty amazing. I've been inside some of them and the owners tend to put a lot of TLC into making them very homey. They're great and a great way to live if you can "find a parking spot" for your houseboat.

"Bad Date" ... ouch. I haven't heard of his book before. I was aquainted with one of the young girls/women who ended up as DNA in the Willy Pickton case. She was from Nelson ... a really sad story

I'm praying for Mr. Greene ... and praying he recovers witthout permanant brain damage ...

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the passing of Master Corporal Timothy Wilson
OTTAWA, March 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National
Defence, issued the following statement today:
"Today, Master Corporal Timothy Wilson died from injuries he sustained in
an accident in Afghanistan on March 2nd.
I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of
Master Corporal Wilson in their hour of pain. Their loss is also Canada's
loss.
As this sad moment illustrates, there are risks to our mission in
Afghanistan. But the men and women of the Canadian Forces understand those
risks. They understand that their presence in Afghanistan is necessary to help
the Afghan people have a better future. And most of all, they understand that
it is necessary to protect Canada from the scourge of terrorism.
I know that Canadians proudly stand behind the Canadian Forces as they
work to ensure our safety and security."



For further information: (613) 996-2353-54; After hours: (613) 792-2973;
www.forces.gc.ca

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Media advisory - Repatriation of the remains of Master-Corporal Timothy Wilson and Corporal Paul Davis
OTTAWA, March 5 /CNW Telbec/ - The remains of Master-Corporal Timothy
Wilson and Corporal Paul Davis, both soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Princess
Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man., are scheduled to
return home to Canada this evening.

Where: 8 Wing Trenton, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario.
When: Sunday, March 5 at approximately 5:00 p.m.
What: This will be a photo opportunity. No interviews will be scheduled
or given.

The Minister of National Defence, Gordon O'Connor, Chief of the Defence
Staff, General Rick Hillier, Commander Canadian Expeditionary Force Command,
Major-General Michel Gauthier, and the Commander of Land Force Central Area,
Brigadier-General Guy Thibault, will attend to pay their respects.
Master-Corporal Wilson and Corporal Davis died from injuries sustained
when the light armoured vehicle (LAV III) they were travelling in was involved
in a traffic accident in Kandahar, Afghanistan on March 2, 2006.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR:

Interested media must contact Captain Nicole Meszaros, 8 Wing Public
Affairs Officer. Capt Meszaros can be reached at the following phone numbers:
(613) 392-2811 ext 2041 or mobile at (613) 391-5233.
For more information on Canadian Forces activities in Afghanistan, please
visit our Online Newsroom. For more information on the Government of Canada's
efforts to help rebuild Afghanistan, please visit the Rebuilding Afghanistan
site.
For flight information on Service Flight 3527, contact the Air Passenger
Terminal at 1-800-487-1186.



For further information: Interested media must contact Captain Nicole
Meszaros, 8 Wing Public Affairs Officer. Capt Meszaros can be reached at the
following phone numbers: (613) 392-2811 ext 2041 or mobile at (613) 391-5233

[Garry Shipton (RIP)]

As reported in this Sunday's paper,the officer,a reservist who got axed by an Afghani insurgent was from Smokey Smith's unit,the Seaforth Highlanders,on detachment to the PPCLI,while in service to the civilian rebuilding team.

[John McGillivray]

Today’s news.

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/A...taliban_060309

[John McGillivray]

More Info

Hillier flown from Afghan village after bomb blast
Last Updated Fri, 10 Mar 2006 06:05:31 EST
CBC News
Canada's top soldier was whisked away from an Afghan village Friday after a nearby Canadian convoy triggered a roadside bomb, which blew a wheel off the armoured vehicle.
Chief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier had been in southern Afghanistan to take part in a large Canadian mission in the area. Troops are fanning out north of the Kandahar city, visiting villages and tribal elders to establish a Canadian presence in the region, a former Taliban stronghold.
Hillier had been meeting with a village elder when the Canadian supply convoy, travelling about 800 metres away, triggered a roadside bomb.
No one was injured in the blast, but the wheel of the armoured Bison was damaged.
Hillier was first taken by armoured convoy to a Canadian operating base in Gumbad, about 70 kilometres north of Kandahar city, and then flown by U.S. Black Hawk helicopter. It's not clear where he was taken.
The Canadian mission, which involves several hundred soldiers, armoured vehicles, artillery and helicopters, is expected to last through March. It comes after a deadly week in the war-ravaged country that saw two Canadian soldiers killed and eleven injured in a road accident and two attacks.
Troops are pushing out from Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan into areas where the Taliban has returned after being defeated by U.S.-led coalition forces in 2001, the CBC's Kas Roussy said from the Kandahar base.
They intend to pacify the area, a necessary first step to improve local governance and people's lives.
Part of the forces' work involves opening a road from Kandahar city to the north.
"It is a dangerous mission," Roussy said. She added that the area the Canadians are moving into "is still very insecure."
U.S. officers who know the area said there are dozens of militants operating in several bands. Six U.S. soldiers and 18 Afghans, including civilians, were killed on duty in the area in 2005.
Few details are available for security reasons, but Roussy described seeing vehicles and soldiers preparing to leave the base over the previous 24 hours.
There are 2,200 Canadians in southern Afghanistan, part of a multinational force led by Canadian Brig.-Gen. David Fraser.
A battle group from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry took over front-line duties in Kandahar from a U.S. task force in late February.
Since then, two Canadians have been killed in an accident, and five have been hurt. Five more were wounded in a suicide attack, and a sixth received a severe axe wound to the head from a Taliban militant, who was shot dead by other Canadians.
That was believed to be the first engagement between Canadians and the Taliban.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/nation...ion060310.html