Canada in Afghanistan

[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
After hours: 613-792-2973
www.forces.gc.ca
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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

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by servicepub

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

Clive ..it is really sad any time one of our young warriors pays the ultimate price for us..
The sad thing this time is that they interviewed him at length on TV the day before he was killed ..

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP, MCPL Michaud.

July 5, 2009
Injured Canadian soldier dies of wounds
By Nelson Wyatt, THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL - A deadly improvised explosive device of the type that has slashed into the ranks of Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan has claimed another victim, bringing the Canadian military death toll in the war-weary country to 122.

Master Cpl. Philippe Michaud died in a Quebec City hospital from devastating injuries he sustained from a landmine while on foot patrol in the Panjwaii district on June 23, the Canadian Forces said Sunday.

Michaud's death was announced as another family prepared to receive the remains of the 121st Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

The body of Cpl. Nick Bulger, who was killed last Friday by a roadside bomb in Zhari district, is due to arrive Monday afternoon at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.

Bulger, 30, from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton, was raised near Peterborough, Ont.

Word on the repatriation of Bulger's remains came on the same day the military announced Michaud had died from his wounds.

Michaud was praised Sunday as a model soldier who worked tirelessly to season his fellow troops.

"Nicknamed 'Chuck' by his friends, Master Cpl. Michaud had an enormous presence in the field and the garrison," said Col. Jean Marc Lanthier, commander of the 5th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, as he announced Michaud's death at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City.

"Very close to his men, he looked after their well-being constantly," Lanthier said. "He was deeply involved in the development of his subordinates and was a mentor to younger soldiers."

"He remains an example to be followed by all his fellow troops. His departure leaves a huge hole in the heart of his section, his platoon and his regiment."

Michaud, who was on his third operational tour and his second in Afghanistan, was wounded southwest of Kandahar city. A member of the 2e Batallion, Royal 22e Regiment based at Valcartier, he never regained consciousness.

A helicopter raced him from the scene of the explosion to the coalition medical facility in Kandahar city. He was transferred to a military hospital in Germany before being returned to a Quebec City hospital on June 28.

He died of his injuries on Saturday afternoon.

Lanthier said Michaud is survived by his wife, his parents and a brother. The military said the family would have no immediate comment.

Tributes poured in quickly from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean and Defence Minister Peter MacKay.

Harper extended his sympathies to Michaud's family and friends and reiterated his commitment to Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

"We honour his sacrifice," Harper said in a statement. "We stand by our troops and allies in the struggle to bring Afghans a better future and make Canadians safer."

MacKay described Michaud as "valiant and courageous."

"Thanks to Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud, progress and change is taking place in Afghanistan."

In praising Michaud, Jean noted that "attacks in Afghanistan are constant and merciless."

"Our patrolling soldiers and those assigned to demining the country are acutely aware of this and yet go meet danger face to face every day," she said.

"Their courage knows no limit."

[John McGillivray]

Two Canadian soldiers killed in helicopter crash
Updated Tue. Jul. 7 2009 12:29 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Two Canadian soldiers have died in a Griffon helicopter crash in Afghanistan, along with another coalition soldier. Three other Canadians were injured.
The killed Canadians have been identified as Master Cpl. Pat Audet, 38, and Cpl. Martin Joannette, 25. Both were based in Valcartier, Que.
Audet served with the 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, and Joannette was with the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment.
Two of the injured soldiers were able to return to duty, while the third was listed in stable condition.
Military officials say the helicopter crashed at a U.S. base in Zabul province, about 80 kilometres northeast of Kandahar where the bulk of Canadian troops are based.
Insurgents were not involved in the incident, suggesting the helicopter may have suffered from mechanical failure.
"A flight-safety investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash," said Canadian commander Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance.
Griffons are used mainly to transport troops, and are part of the Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan. They have been used by the Canadian military since the start of this year.
The majority of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan have died from improvised explosive devices, buried along Kandahar's dangerous roads. Because of that, helicopters are considered a much safer method of transportation.
"With the arrival of the Griffon and Chinook helicopters in our area of operations, (Audet and Joannette) played a valuable role in reducing exposures to IEDs, and by providing aviation support to combat operations," said Vance.
Audet was on his first deployment to Afghanistan. He is survived by a wife, Katherine, and his parents. Joanette, although younger, was on his third deployment. He leaves behind a wife, Marie-Eve.
"Their contribution here in Afghanistan was incredible, and we will remember their sacrifice always," said Vance.
Canada has now lost four soldiers in as many days. Cpl. Nicholas Bulger died from an IED explosion on July 3, and Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud died the next day, succumbing to injuries he had suffered in a bomb blast the previous month.
"It has been an extremely difficult week here in Kandahar," said Vance. "We all are feeling a great sense of loss."
The latest casualties bring Canada's military death toll in Afghanistan to 124 since the mission began in 2002.
With files from The Canadian Press
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[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."

[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier killed, 11 injured in Afghan blast
Updated Thu. Sep. 17 2009 5:37 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier has died in an Afghan bomb attack, the second such death in less than a week.
The soldier has been identified as 23-year-old Pte. Jonathan Couturier of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment, based in Valcartier, Que.
Couturier, who was involved in a mission to seize weapons and control Taliban movements, was killed when an improvised explosive device exploded.
He is the 131st Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.
Eleven others were also injured in the blast, but those injuries weren't serious, said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance.
The death comes a day after the body of Pte. Patrick Lormand, 21, returned to Canada in an emotional ceremony at CFB Trenton in Ontario.
Lormand was killed by a roadside bomb on Sunday in Afghanistan's southwest near Kandahar City.
Earlier on Thursday, six Italian soldiers and 10 Afghans were killed in Kabul by a suicide car bomber.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast and it came despite massive security in the Afghan capital.
Violence has been on the rise in Afghanistan as thousands of U.S. troops have entered the country with the intention of pushing insurgents out of their strongholds.
The attacks also follow a highly contentious presidential election, which still has no clear winner.
In the weeks before Afghans went to the ballot boxes, the Taliban vowed to disrupt voting through violence and intimidation.

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

[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.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP, Lieutenant.