Canada in Afghanistan

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Rest in peace, Pte. Peloquin...

June 8, 2009
IED claims life of Canadian soldier in Afghanistan

By Colin Perkel, THE CANADIAN PRESS



KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A period of relative calm for Canadian soldiers trying to bring stability to Afghanistan was shattered Monday when a makeshift bomb cut short the life of an infantryman on foot patrol in the treacherous Panjwaii district of Kandahar province.

Pte. Alexandre (Pelo) Peloquin, 20, of the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, was based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City.

"Pelo, as named by his friends, was a strong man, remarkably fit and very courageous," said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the senior commander in Kandahar province, cradle of the Taliban.

"His family and friends should be very proud of him, and so should all Canadians, for he represented the very best of Canada."

No one else was hurt in the blast.

Peloquin is survived by his mother Monique.

The incident occurred in the village of Nakhoney, about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city in an area where insurgents have stepped up their attacks on Canadian forces in the region.

Peloquin had been serving as a member of the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment Battle Group during a six-day operation to find and neutralize improvised explosive devices.

The group removed material for hundreds of IEDs, and 15 of the terror weapons were taken out of circulation on Monday, Vance said.

"The local population is extremely happy and wants us to continue," Vance said.
"Pte. Peloquin was part of a successful operation, and he contributed to that success today."

It was Canada's first death in Afghanistan since April 23, when 30-year-old Maj. Michelle Mendes, an intelligence officer based in Ottawa, was found dead in an accommodation room at Kandahar Airfield.

Canadian soldiers routinely leave the safety of their operating bases to walk city and village streets, searching for improvised explosive devices or stopping to talk to locals in an effort to bridge the vast divide between them.

It was during such a patrol that Peloquin was killed.

The death comes as Canada attempts to move away from a hard-edged combat role to a more supportive mission ahead of its scheduled military departure in 2011.

Peloquin's death brings to 119 the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died on the mission to Afghanistan since it began in 2002.

"This young man sacrificed his life for a greater cause; he believed in his role as a soldier and his dedication to the overall mission was truly outstanding," Vance said.

"Alexandre was proud to be a soldier. He will be missed."

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

RIP to a good sapper - that they know what they're dealing with every day and do it anyway amazes me.

Canadian soldier killed trying to defuse bomb
Updated Sun. Jun. 14 2009 5:08 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

A Canadian soldier was killed in Afghanistan Sunday when one of two roadside bombs he was trying to defuse exploded.

Cpl. Martin Dube, 35, was the second Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan in a week.

The explosion also killed an Afghan police officer and gravely injured a local interpreter.

Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance described Dube as "energetic" and as someone who believed in the Afghan mission. He said the combat engineer was always willing to help anyone in need.

"The IED that Martin was dismantling could have killed an entire family, as it was deliberately aimed at passing traffic," Vance, the senior Canadian solider in Kandahar, said. "His actions, his sacrifice, saved the lives of innocents."

Dube was from 5e Regiment du Genie de Combat based at CFB Valcartier near Quebec City.

The explosion occurred just after noon in the Panjwaii district, which is about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.

Last Monday, Pte. Alexandre Peloquin died in the same district when he stepped on an explosive device.

Dube was the 120th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.

Vance, seemingly addressing civilians back in Canada, said that grief over the soldier's death would not get in the way of the mission.

"The loss of a soldier is not an indication of failure, nor cause for hopelessness -- Martin Dube knew that, and so should you," Vance said. "We are determined to succeed so that Afghan lives improve; but our enemies are equally determined to challenge and prevent Afghanistan from flourishing as the nation it so wants to be."

Dube is survived by his girlfriend, Julie, his parents, Marie-Paule and Roger and his brother Vincent.

The interpreter was flown to Kandahar Airfield Hospital. His condition is not known.

With files from The Canadian Press