Canada in Afghanistan

[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.

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

[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.

[maple_leaf_eh]

http://icasualties.org/oef/

I have found this link to be instructive. The circumstances of almost all Iraq and Afghanistan casualites are listed in appropriate detail.

[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier killed in Panjwaii district attack
Updated Tue. Jun. 3 2008 3:41 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier was killed Tuesday morning in Afghanistan when his convoy came under enemy attack in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province.
Capt. Richard Steve Leary was killed during a dismounted security patrol with Afghan partners, said Colonel Jamie Cade during a Tuesday news conference.
"Captain Leary was what we in uniform are expected to be. Captain Leary was a soldier and Captain Leary was a leader," Cade said.
"In his memory and the memory of those that have gone before him we remain steadfast in our resolve to bring peace and stability to the people of Afghanistan. He will be greatly missed by his military family."
Leary, 32, was a platoon commander with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based out of Shilo, Man.
Originally from Brantford, Ont., he was on his first overseas mission. He leaves behind a wife, his parents and sister.
His repatriation ceremony is tentatively scheduled for June 6.
Leary was on a joint patrol with members of the Afghan National Security Forces in the Panjwaii region in southern Kandahar province when the group came under small arms fire from Taliban militants. The soldiers returned fire, then repositioned under Leary's leadership, when he was struck at about 9:30 a.m. local time, Cade said.
Close air support was called in and the insurgents were defeated.
Leary was airlifted to the medical facility at Kandahar Airfield where he was pronounced dead by a medical officer.
"Every death is deeply painful to us, but it is a risk that we as members of the Canadian Armed Forces understand and assume as we work to bring peace and stability to a country that has been torn apart by war," Cade said.
With the recent death, Canada's military losses in Afghanistan now total 84.
Earlier attacks
Taliban fighters have increasingly engaged NATO soldiers directly in recent weeks.
On Monday, four Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were injured in two separate Taliban attacks west of Kandahar.
One soldier was hit by gunfire while a roadside bomb blast wounded three others and their interpreter. The attacks occurred just minutes from each other in the volatile Zhari district, where Canadian forces have often come under Taliban fire.
The troops were doing foot patrols when they were attacked.
One of the soldiers was to be flown to a military hospital in German for treatment of serious injuries, while the other three were to be treated at the Kandahar base.
Recently, Canadian forces stepped up efforts to stop Taliban bomb-making operations, dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder.
Of the 84 Canadians killed in Afghanistan, 39 were killed by buried bombs.

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

[PPS]

salute:
Pass Friend
Go To Your Rest
Your Duty Is Done
Let Others Now
Take Up Your Spear


Paul.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP, Capt. Snyder...

June 8, 2008
Canadian soldier dies after falling into Afghan well on night patrol
By THE CANADIAN PRESS

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A Canadian soldier died after falling into a well during a night-time patrol Saturday west of Kandahar.

Capt. Jonathan Sutherland Snyder, of Penticton, B.C., was a member of 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton.

He was on his second tour of Afghanistan and his third overseas deployment.

"Jon was serving as a mentor and role model to members of the Afghan National Army, and his recent leadership in the field likely saved both Canadian and Afghan lives," Brig,-Gen. Denis Thompson, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, said in a prepared statement at nearby Kandahar Airfield.

"We will not forget his sacrifice as we continue our mission to bring peace and stability to the citizens of Afghanistan."

Snyder, who was helping mentor Afghan soldiers, was on foot patrol in a field in Zhari district when he tumbled into an open well that the Afghans call a 'kariz.'

Those kinds of wells dot the countryside. They are often unmarked and connect to a series of underground irrigation ditches used to soothe the parched landscape in river valleys.

Thompson estimates the well Snyder was trapped in may have been as much as 20 metres deep.

The rest of his patrol tried desperately to extract him as they radioed for help.

"Medical, engineering and search and rescue assets were rushed to the scene, and Jon was lifted from the well," said Thompson, who spoke with members of Snyder's platoon on Sunday.

Once out of the well, Snyder was rushed to the NATO military hospital at Kandahar Airfield where he was pronounced dead.

For reasons of operational security, the army refused to say where in Zhari district the joint patrol was taking place.

Snyder is the 85th Canadian soldier to die in the war-torn country, along with one diplomat, since the Afghan war started.

The last soldier to die was Capt. Richard (Steve) Leary who died of wounds following an ambush in the restive Panjwaii district on June 3.

Snyder was not married, but leaves behind a fiancee and his parents.