Canada in Afghanistan

[John McGillivray]

Canadian killed in Afghanistan; 90th death of mission
Updated Mon. Aug. 11 2008 5:09 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier has died in Afghanistan after insurgents attacked a remote outpost in the volatile Panjwaii district. It's the second death in three days.
Master Cpl. Erin Doyle was killed early Monday in the attack. He was a member of the 3rd battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based out of Edmonton.
Up to 10 gunmen attacked the outpost before 6 a.m. and Canadian soldiers returned fire, before calling in artillery and air support.
"Master Cpl. Doyle was killed while he was protecting his position and his fellow soldiers," task force commander Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson told reporters.
It was the third tour Doyle had served in Afghanistan.
"Erin was a big, tough, mountain of a man who enjoyed the outdoors," said Thompson. "He was a true warrior and just the person you would want beside you in a firefight."
A second soldier was injured and taken to the multinational hospital at Kandahar Airfield, where the bulk of Canada's troops are based.
Another Canadians soldier, Master Cpl. Josh Roberts, was killed during a firefight with insurgents on the weekend. Private security personnel were also in the area, and the Canadian military is investigating any possibility of friendly fire.
Doyle is the 90th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002. A diplomat has also been killed.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP Master Corporal Doyle.

[John McGillivray]

Two Canadian aid workers killed in 'cowardly' attack
Updated Wed. Aug. 13 2008 3:32 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian, British-Canadian dual-citizen and an American-Trinidadian -- all female aid workers -- were killed in a "cowardly" attack Wednesday in Afghanistan along with an Afghan driver, according to the International Rescue Committee.
A second Afghani driver was critically wounded in the attack. The 30-year-old man has been hospitalized.
"Our hearts are broken, I don't have words for the extent of sorrow and sympathy we feel for their families and we are absolutely outraged and condemn in the strongest possible terms this cowardly senseless, brutal attack," Michael Kocher, IRC's vice-president of international programs, told CTV Newsnet Wednesday.
The women were working for the New York-based IRC, a group which provides emergency relief and rehabilitation and defends human rights in countries recovering from war.
They were travelling through Logar province towards Kabul in a clearly marked IRC vehicle when they were attacked by armed militants, the organization said. Logar province is south of the Afghan capital.
Kocher said that his organization had not received any specific threats.
"Afghanistan is a dangerous place . . . and it's been getting more dangerous over the last year," he said.
Three of the victims' names have been released by the IRC.
Jacqueline Kirk, 40, of Outremont, Quebec
Nicole Dial, 32, an American-Trinidadian
Mohammad Aimal, 25, the Afghan driver
The Canadian woman's name is not being released at this time at the request of her parents. She was believed to have been about 30-years-old.
Kirk was born in Britain. She had arrived to the area to provide technical assistance but wasn't permanently based in Afghanistan, said Michael Kocher, IRC's vice-president of international programs.
Kirk had been an education program advisor for the IRC since July of 2007 and had been involved with the organization for years.
"She was utterly compassionate, she was giving, she was courageous and she was very, very good at her work," he said.
The unnamed Canadian had been in the country for less than a year, he said. Dial arrived just a few months ago.
Both women were in Afghanistan to help with education and children's programs. Kocher said they were experienced in their field of work, having worked in other parts of the world.
The slain Afghan driver had worked with the IRC for five years.
"We are stunned and profoundly saddened by this tragic loss," George Rupp, president of the IRC said in a statement.
"These extraordinary individuals were deeply committed to aiding the people of Afghanistan, especially the children who have seen so much strife. Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan."
The IRC said it has suspended humanitarian aid work in Afghanistan indefinitely following the attack. The group has been working in the country for 20 years.
Kai Eide, the United Nations' top official in Kabul, called it a "cowardly attack."
Canadian foreign affairs officials were not immediately available for comment Wednesday.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Three more of our boys down... sappers all, this time. RIP.

CTV.ca News Staff

Updated: Thu. Aug. 21 2008 12:10 PM ET Three Canadian soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan's Zhari district, Canadian military officials have confirmed.

Task force commander Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson made the announcement from Kandahar Thursday, adding that a fourth soldier was also injured by the blast.

The device detonated near the soldiers' vehicle at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time Wednesday, said Thompson.

"Afghan national police and Canadian Forces responded to the scene and medical evacuation was requested," he said.

"All four soldiers were evacuated to Kandahar Air Field. Sadly, three of the soldiers were confirmed dead by medical authorities."

Sgt. Shawn Eades has been identified as one of the soldiers killed in the attack.

Eades was widely "respected by his subordinates, his peers and his superiors," said Thompson.

"He was a veteran soldier and this was his third tour in Afghanistan," he said. "He was a devoted father who liked to share stories of his children with his colleagues and friends."

Thompson said the families of the other two soldiers killed have asked that their names be withheld at this time.

He added that the injured soldier was in "serious, but stable, condition."

The three soldiers were combat engineers with 12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Edmonton, and were attached to the Second Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group.

"They were a well-trained, highly motivated crew that believed in the mission," said Thompson.

"As combat engineers they were proud, resourceful and armed with the technical knowledge that they generally used to assist the mission in helping the people of Kandahar province."

The deaths bring the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died during the Afghan mission to 93.

[John McGillivray]

All three names have being released:

Sgt. Shawn Allen Eade, Cpl. Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden, Sapper Stephan John Stock

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Dammit... my thoughts are with them and their families right now...

Three Canadian soldiers killed, 5 wounded in Zhari, Afghanistan
CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Wed. Sep. 3 2008 1:07 PM ET

Three Canadians soldiers have been killed and five wounded during an insurgent attack in Afghanistan Wednesday morning.

The soldiers from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry were on a security patrol in a light armoured vehicle (LAV) when they came under attack, said Brig. Gen. Denis Thompson.

Following are the names of those killed:

* Cpl. Andrew Grenon
* Cpl. Mike Seggie
* Pte. Chad Horn

"The brave soldiers killed today were coming to the end of their tour and it saddens me to think of their loved ones awaiting their return later this month," Thompson said.

He released few details about the attack except to say the soldiers were not killed by an improvised explosive device, but by a direct attack in Zhari district of Kandahar province.

Of the five soldiers wounded in the attack, one is in critical condition, one is in serious but stable condition, two are considered to be in good condition and one has been treated and released, Thompson said.

The Princess Pats are based in Shilo, Man.

In total, 96 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have now been killed in Afghanistan.

[rob love]

Damn. The first rotation of guys coming home to Shilo is tomorrow morning. These guys would have been within a week or two of going on their disembarkation leave then going home.

I have to head out front and lower the flag again. Hopefully this is the last time this rotation.