Canada in Afghanistan

[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.

[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan
Updated Sat. Jul. 19 2008 7:50 AM ET
The Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- A Canadian soldier has been killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
Cpl. James Hayward Arnal was struck by an explosion late Friday during a night patrol in Panjwaii district near Kandahar city.
Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan lauded him as a fearless fighter who had left a lucrative career in information technology to join the army.
"Clearly, he was a dedicated soldier with a very promising career ahead of him," said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, Canada's commander in Afghanistan.
Arnal, based out of CFB Shilo, Man., was the 88th Canadian soldier killed in the Afghan mission, and the first in two weeks.
After paying tribute to his corporal, Thompson appeared to address suggestions that the Canadian government and military have been sugar-coating the difficult realities of the Afghan mission.
He bluntly described the situation as difficult.
"Of course, soldiers are also not afraid to talk about the challenges faced here in Afghanistan," Thompson said.
"Let there be no doubt -- we do have our work cut out for us."
"This insurgency is not going to be defeated in the short term, which is why our focus is on winning the trust of the Afghan people, and building up local government and security institutions."
He said the military is determined to carry on with the mission -- and is convinced it will succeed.
Another Canadian soldier sustained injuries in the blast but was said to be in good condition and was expected to return to duty.
Suicide attacks, roadside bombs and coalition casualties have significantly increased in each of the last three years.
But the number of Afghan children going to school and the national economy has also been growing.
In a reminder of the security risk Saturday, a suicide bomber blew himself up just several hundred metres away from the main coalition base in Kandahar.
The bomber was spotted by an Afghan policeman on the main road to Kandahar Airfield, tried running away, and detonated himself with nobody close by.
One policeman and one young boy were injured, while the bomber's body was ripped to pieces by the force of the blast.

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

[John McGillivray]

Canadian soldier dies of firefight injuries
Updated Sat. Aug. 9 2008 12:46 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Saskatchewan-born soldier has died of a gunshot wound suffered in a firefight with Afghan insurgents in the volatile Zhari district.
Master Cpl. Josh Roberts belonged to 2nd Battalion, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Man.
The soldier was involved in a joint operation designed to disrupt Taliban activity in the farming area west of Kandahar City when the incident occurred early Saturday.
"Master Cpl. Roberts was moved by armoured vehicle to the closest combat outpost and was immediately evacuated by helicopter to the Role 3 Multi-National Medical Facility at Kandahar Airfield," Brig.-Gen. Dennis Thompson, commander of Task Force Afghanistan, told reporters during a briefing at the Kandahar Airfield.
Soldiers with Charlie Company administered first aid to Roberts at the scene. However, "the nature of his injuries were such that in spite of their efforts, his life could not be saved," the general said. Doctors pronounced the soldier dead on arrival.
Roberts had transferred to the Regular Forces from the North Saskatchewan Regiment in 2006. His superiors promoted him to master corporal only two weeks ago.
"His best friend describes him as 'a no-nonsense kind of guy who lived like people dreamed; he was a fun-loving and genuine individual who was totally dedicated to the Army and held his section together. He looked out for his guys in ways they probably didn't realize,'" Thompson said.
"We are deeply affected by this loss. Josh will be greatly missed by his military family."
The military is also investigating the possibility that a private security company passing by in a convoy may have accidentally fired on the Canadian soldiers.
The death is the 89th suffered by Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan since 2002. A Canadian diplomat has also died there.
With files from The Canadian Press
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[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.
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[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.