CANADA MILITARY NEWS- Remembering Afghanistan- Canada Politicians snub Afghanistan Leaders Visit because of Iraq?/ honour, respect- September 11, 2001- thank u / Canadians Remember 158 PHOTOS/Other Canada Military news -Remembering Canada Troops Killed on Canadian Soil and Iraq and our Mounties/Canada and our Flag first ...PERIOD/The Letter

Master Corporal Francis Roy Canadian Special Operations Regiment based at CFB Petawawa, Ontario
 

June 25 2011

One Canadian Forces member was found dead from non-combat related wounds at approximately 6:00 a.m. local Kandahar time on 25 June 2011 at a coalition forward operating base in Kandahar City.
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Bombardier Karl Manning, from 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec
 

May 27  2011

One Canadian Forces member was found dead from non-combat related wounds at approximately 5:30 a.m. local Kandahar time on 27 May 2011 at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Zangabad, located 45 Kilometres southwest of Kandahar Airfield.
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Corporal Yannick Scherrer, from 1er Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec serving with 1er Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group
 

March 27  2011

Corporal Yannick Scherrer was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated during a dismounted partnered patrol in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar Province at approximately 12 p.m. (noon) Kandahar time on Sunday, March 27, 2011.
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Corporal Steve Martin, from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, serving with 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec
 

December 18, 2010

Corporal Steve Martin was killed December 18th, 2010, after an improvised explosive device detonated while on operations in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar Province, at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time.
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Corporal (Cpl) Brian Pinksen from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Corner Brook Newfoundland,
 

Aug 30 2010

Corporal (Cpl) Brian Pinksen from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, based in Corner Brook Newfoundland succumbed to his injuries at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Aug 30 2010 from an IED explosion on Aug 25 2010 in Afghanistan.
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Sapper Brian Collier 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, Edmonton, Alberta
 

July 20 2010

Sapper Brian Collier was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a foot patrol in the Panjwa’i District, about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, at approximately 9:00 a.m. Kandahar time.
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Master Corporal Kristal Giesebrecht 1 Canadian Field Hospital, Petawawa, Ontario.
 

June 26 2010

Master Corporal Kristal Giesebrecht was killed when the vehicle they were travelling in as part of a convoy struck an improvised explosive device.
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Private Andrew Miller 2 Canadian Field Hospital, Petawawa, Ontario.
 

June 26 2010

Private Andrew Miller was killed when the vehicle they were travelling in as part of a convoy struck an improvised explosive device.
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Sergeant James Patrick Macneil 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, Petawawa, Ontario, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
 

June 21 2010

Sergeant James Patrick Macneil  was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a foot patrol, about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, in the Panjwa’i District, at approximately 8:00 a.m. Kandahar time on 21 June 2010.

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Sergeant Martin Goudreault 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, Edmonton, AB, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
 

June 6 2010

Sergeant Martin Goudreault was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a foot patrol, about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, in the Panjwayi District, at approximately 6:30 a.m. Kandahar time on 6 June 2010.

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Trooper Larry John Zuidema Rudd , Royal Canadian Dragoons, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ontario.
 

May 24 2010

Trooper Larry John Zuidema Rudd was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a routine security operation, about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, in the Panjwa’i District, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Kandahar time on 24 May 2010

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Colonel Geoff Parker, Royal Canadian Regiment
 

May 18 2010

Colonel Geoff Parker was killed after an insurgent detonated a vehicle borne improvised explosive device between the convoy of vehicles in Kabul at approximately 8 a.m. local Afghanistan time on 18 May 2010.
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Private Kevin Thomas McKay 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta.
 

May 13 2010

Private Kevin Thomas McKay was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated during a dismounted night patrol in the Panjwayi district, approximately 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, at 8:00 p.m. Kandahar time on May 13, 2010.
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Petty Officer Second Class Craig Blake a member of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), based in Shearwater, Nova Scotia.
 

May 3 2010

Petty Officer Second Class Craig Blake was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a dismounted operation, about 25 kilometers southwest of Kandahar City, in the Panjwayi District, at approximately 4:40 p.m. Kandahar time on 3 May 2010.
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Private Tyler William Todd from the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alberta
 

April 11 2010

Private Tyler William Todd was killed by an improvised explosive device that detonated during a dismounted security patrol in Dand district at approximately 7:30 a.m. Kandahar time on 11 April 2010.
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Cpl. Darren James Fitzpatrick 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, CFB Edmonton
 

March 20 2010

Cpl. Darren James Fitzpatrick 3rd Battalion died in an Edmonton Hospital after succoring to his injuries from a road side bomb March 6 2010 in Afghanistan.

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Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion PPCLI), Edmonton, Alberta,
 

February 12 2010

Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker was killed in a training accident on a range located approximately 4 km northeast of Kandahar City. The accident took place at about 5:00 p.m., Kandahar time

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Sergeant John Wayne Faught 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alberta
 

January 16 2010

Sergeant John Wayne Faught was killed by an improvised explosive device during a dismounted security patrol near the town of Nakhonay in the Panjwayi district, approximately 15 kilometres south-west of Kandahar City.

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Sergeant George Miok a member of 41 Combat Engineer Regiment, based in Edmonton
 

December 30, 2009

Sergeant George Miok was killed in an improvised explosive device that detonated during a patrol 4 km south of Kandahar City at approximately 4:00 p.m., Kandahar time.

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Sergeant Kirk Taylor a member of 84 Independent Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
 

December 30, 2009

Sergeant George Miok was killed in an improvised explosive device that detonated during a patrol 4 km south of Kandahar City at approximately 4:00 p.m., Kandahar time.

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Corporal Zachery McCormack Loyal Edmonton Regiment, 4th Battalion PPCLI, based in Edmonton
 

December 30, 2009

Sergeant George Miok was killed in an improvised explosive device that detonated during a patrol 4 km south of Kandahar City at approximately 4:00 p.m., Kandahar time.

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Private Garrett William Chidley 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba
 

December 30, 2009

Sergeant George Miok was killed in an improvised explosive device that detonated during a patrol 4 km south of Kandahar City at approximately 4:00 p.m., Kandahar time.

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Lieutenant Andrew Richard Nuttall, 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) Edmonton, Alberta
 

December 23, 2009

Lieutenant Andrew Richard Nuttall was killed by an improvised explosive device that detonated during a joint foot patrol near the village of Nakhonay in Panjwaii District, about 25 km southwest of Kandahar City, on December 23, 2009.
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Sapper Steven Marshall, 1st Combat Engineering Regiment based in Edmonton, Alberta
 

October 30 2009

Sapper Steven Marshall was killed by an improvised explosive device that detonated near their dismounted patrol approximately 10 km south-west of Kandahar City at approximately 4:30 p.m. Kandahar Time on 30 Oct 2009.
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Lieutenant Justin Boyes, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
 

October 28 2009

Lieutenant Justin Boyes was killed 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
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Private Jonathan Couturier, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group Valcartier, Quebec.
 

September 17 2009

Private Jonathan Couturier was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated in the vicinity of his vehicle while on patrol in Panjwai District. The incident occurred approximately 25 kilometres South-West of Kandahar City at around 10:15 a.m., Kandahar time, on 17th September, 2009.
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Private Patrick Lormand, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group Valcartier, Quebec.
 

September 13 2009

Private Patrick Lormand was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his armoured vehicle on a road in Panwjai District. The incident occurred approximately 10 kilometres South-West of Kandahar City at around 1:00 p.m., Kandahar time, on 13th September, 2009.
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Corporal Jean-François Drouin 5e Régiment du génie de combat, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group Valcartier, Quebec.
 

September 6 2009

Corporal Jean-François Drouin was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle in the vicinity of Dand District, approximately 14 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City at around 12:00 p.m., Kandahar time, on 6 September 2009.
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Major Yannick Pépin 5e Régiment du génie de combat, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group Valcartier, Quebec.
 

September 6 2009

Major Yannick Pépin was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle in the vicinity of Dand District, approximately 14 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City at around 12:00 p.m., Kandahar time, on 6 September 2009.
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Corporal Christian Bobbitt 5e Régiment du génie de combat, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group Valcartier, Quebec.
 

August 1 2009

Corporal Christian Bobbitt was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near a patrol in the Zhari District. The incident occurred approximately 15 kilometres west of Kandahar City at around 3:20 p.m., Kandahar time, on 1 August, 2009..
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Sapper Matthieu Allard 5e Régiment du génie de combat, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group Valcartier, Quebec.
 

August 1 2009

Sapper Matthieu Allard was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near a patrol in the Zhari District. The incident occurred approximately 15 kilometres west of Kandahar City at around 3:20 p.m., Kandahar time, on 1 August, 2009..
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Private Sébastien Courcy 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment based in Quebec City, Quebec
 

July 16 2009

Killed in action was Private Sébastien Courcy from 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment based in Quebec City, Quebec.  Pte Courcy was serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group.
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Master Corporal Pat Audet from 430e Escadron tactique d'hélicoptères Valcartier QUE
 

July 6 2009

Master-Corporal Pat Audet was killed when a Canadian CH-146 Griffon helicopter crashed during take-off. The incident occurred at a Forward Operating Base in Tarnak Va Jaldak, Zabul Province, northeast of Kandahar City at around 1:50 p.m., Kandahar time, on 6 July 2009..

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Corporal Martin Joannette from the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment Valcartier QUE
 

July 6 2009

Corporal Martin Joannette was killed when a Canadian CH-146 Griffon helicopter crashed during take-off. The incident occurred at a Forward Operating Base in Tarnak Va Jaldak, Zabul Province, northeast of Kandahar City at around 1:50 p.m., Kandahar time, on 6 July 2009

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Master-Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud, 2e Batallion, Royal 22e Régiment Valcartier Quebec City
 

July 4 2009

Master-Corporal Michaud succumbed to his injuries at approximately 2 p.m. EDT on July 4, 2009 in a Quebec City hospital. Master-Corporal Michaud was seriously injured June 23 2009 when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his dismounted patrol in Panjwayi District.

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Cpl Nicholas Bulger from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Edmonton
 

July 3, 2009

Corporal Nicholas Bulger was killed 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.

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Corporal Martin Dubé 5e Régiment de genie de combat CF Base Valcartier Quebec City.
 

June 14, 2009

Corporal Martin Dubé was killed as a result of an explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED). The incident occurred in the vicinity of Panjwayi District, approximately 20 km southwest of Kandahar City at around 12:30 p.m., Kandahar time, June 14, 2009.

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Private Alexandre Péloquin 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment Valcartier near Quebec City.
 

June 8, 2009

Private Alexandre Péloquin was killed when an explosive device detonated during a foot patrol in the Panjwai District. The incident took place in an area south-west of Kandahar City at around 09:20 a.m., Kandahar time, June 8, 2009

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Major Michelle Mendes, based in Ottawa, Ontario.
 

April 23, 2009

At approximately 4:00 p.m. Kandahar time, 23 April 2009, a Canadian Forces member was found dead in her accommodation room, at Kandahar Airfield.

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Trooper Karine Blais, from 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier
 

April 13, 2009

Trooper Karine Blais was killed when her armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device north of Kandahar City in the Shah Wali Kowt District. 

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Trooper Jack Bouthillier, The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
 

March 20, 2009

Trooper Jack Bouthillier was killed on March 20, 2009, when the vehicle in which he was travelling struck an improvised explosive device in Shah Wali Khot District, north-east of Kandahar City.
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Corporal Tyler Crooks, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa
 

March 20, 2009

Corporal Tyler Crooks was killed on March 20, 2009, when an improvised explosive device detonated near him during a dismounted patrol in Zhari District, west of Kandahar City.
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Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
 

March 20, 2009

Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes was killed on March 20, 2009, when the vehicle in which he was travelling struck an improvised explosive device in Shah Wali Khot District, north-east of Kandahar City.
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Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa

March 20, 2009

Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli was killed on March 20, 2009, when an improvised explosive device detonated near him during a dismounted patrol in Zhari District, west of Kandahar City.
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Trooper Marc Diab, The Royal Canadian Dragoons
 

March 8, 2009

Trooper Marc Diab was killed and four were injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Shah Wali Kot District. The incident occurred north-east from Kandahar City at around 1:15 p.m., Kandahar time, on 8 March, 2009
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Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, Lincoln and Welland Regiment
 

March 3, 2009

Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred northwest of Kandahar City at around 5:40 p.m., Kandahar time, on 3 March, 2009.
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Corporal Dany Olivier Fortin, 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing Bagotville
 

March 3, 2009

Corporal Dany Olivier Fortin was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred northwest of Kandahar City at around 5:40 p.m., Kandahar time, on 3 March, 2009..
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Corporal Kenneth Chad O’Quinn, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron
 

March 3, 2009

Corporal Kenneth Chad O’Quinn, was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred northwest of Kandahar City at around 5:40 p.m., Kandahar time, on 3 March, 2009.
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Sapper Sean Greenfield, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment based at CFB Petawawa
 

January 31, 2009

Sapper Sean Greenfield was killed when his armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device approximately 40 km west of Kandahar City in Zharey District.  The incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m., Kandahar time, on January 31, 2009.
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Trooper Brian Richard Good, The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa
 

January 7, 2009

Trooper Brian Richard Good was killed when his armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device approximately 35 kilometres north of Kandahar City in the Shah Wali Kowt District.
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Warrant Officer Gaétan Roberge, 2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada
 

December 27 2008

Warrant Officer Gaétan Roberge was killed on December 27, 2008, when an explosive device detonated in their vicinity in the Panjwayi District.
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Sergeant Gregory John Kruse, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
 

December 27 2008

Sergeant Gregory John Kruse was killed on December 27, 2008, when an explosive device detonated in their vicinity in the Panjwayi District.

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Private Michael Bruce Freeman, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Petawawa
 

December 26 2008

Private Michael Bruce Freeman died Friday afternoon when the armoured vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device during a routine security patrol in the Zhari District of Kandahar Province.
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Corporal Thomas James Hamilton, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick
 

December 13 2008

Corporal Thomas James Hamilton was killed as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred approximately 14 kilometers west of Kandahar City at about 9:00 a.m., Kandahar time, on 13 December 200
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Private John Michael Roy Curwin, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick
 

December 13 2008

Private John Michael Roy Curwinwas killed as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred approximately 14 kilometers west of Kandahar City at about 9:00 a.m., Kandahar time, on 13 December 200
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Private Justin Peter Jones, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick
 

December 13 2008

Private Justin Peter Jones was killed as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred approximately 14 kilometers west of Kandahar City at about 9:00 a.m., Kandahar time, on 13 December 200
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Private Demetrios Diplaros, First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa
 

December 5 2008

Private Demetrios Diplaros killed as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on their armoured vehicle during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred approximately 15 kilometers west of Kandahar City at about 9:00 a.m., Kandahar time on 5 December 2008

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Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa
 

December 5 2008

Corporal Mark Robert McLaren killed as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on their armoured vehicle during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred approximately 15 kilometers west of Kandahar City at about 9:00 a.m., Kandahar time on 5 December 2008

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Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson, First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa
 

December 5 2008

Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson killed as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on their armoured vehicle during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred approximately 15 kilometers west of Kandahar City at about 9:00 a.m., Kandahar time on 5 December 2008

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Sgt Prescott Shipway, Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Manitoba
 

September 7 2008

Sgt Prescott Shipway was killed after his armoured vehicle was struck an improvised explosive device (IED) during a security patrol in Panjwayii District at approximately 12:30 p.m., Kandahar time.

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Corporal Andrew Paul Grenon, Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Manitoba
 

September 3 2008

Corporal Andrew Paul Grenon was killed after an insurgent attack on his armoured vehicle while they were conducting a security patrol in Zharey district at approximately 9:30 a.m., Kandahar time.

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Cpl Michael James Alexander Seggie, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Manitoba
 

September 3 2008

Corporal Michael James Alexander Seggie was killed after an insurgent attack on his armoured vehicle while they were conducting a security patrol in Zharey district at approximately 9:30 a.m., Kandahar time.

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Private Chadwick James Horn, Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Manitoba
 

September 3 2008

Private Chadwick James Horn was killed after an insurgent attack on his armoured vehicle while they were conducting a security patrol in Zharey district at approximately 9:30 a.m., Kandahar time.

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Sergeant Shawn Eades 12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment from Edmonton, Alberta
 

August 20, 2008

Sergeant Shawn Eades was one of three soldiers killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) near their vehicle while on patrol on highway 1 in Zharey district.
 

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Corporal Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden 12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment from Edmonton, Alberta
 

August 20, 2008

Corporal Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden was one of three soldiers killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) near their vehicle while on patrol on highway 1 in Zharey district.

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Sapper Stephan John Stock 12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment from Edmonton, Alberta
 

August 20, 2008

Sapper Stephan John Stock was one of three soldiers killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) near their vehicle while on patrol on highway 1 in Zharey district.

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Master Corporal Erin Doyle 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alberta
 

August 11, 2008

Master Corporal Erin Doyle 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton was killed while protecting their combat outpost when insurgents attacked them with rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire.
 

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Master Corporal Joshua Brian Roberts 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba

August 9, 2008

Master Corporal Joshua Brian Roberts 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba was killed in a fire fight skirmish involving coalition forces, insurgents and a private firm that provides armed escorts for civilian convoys
 

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Corporal James (Jim) Hayward Arnal 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba

July 18, 2008

Corporal James (Jim) Hayward Arnal 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba was killed just before midnight Kandahar time. The soldier was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device while on a foot patrol in Panjwayi District.
 

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Private Colin William Wilmot, 2nd Battalion, PPLI, 1 Field Ambulance, Edmonton, Alberta.

July 5, 2008

Private Colin William Wilmot, 2nd Battalion, PPLI, 1 Field Ambulance succumbed to his injuries  by a road side bomb detonated near a dismounted security patrol in Panjwayi District.
 

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Corporal Brendan Anthony Downey, Military Police, Dundurn, Saskatchewan

July 4, 2008

Corporal Brendan Anthony Downey was found dead in an accommodation room in the Theatre Support Element compound in the Gulf region. Exact cause is not know at this time.
 

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Captain Jonathan (Jon) Sutherland Snyder 1st Battalion, PPCLI, Edmonton, Alberta

June 7, 2008

Cpt. Jonathan Snyder was killed June 9:00 pm., Kandahar time. The soldier was killed after falling into a well while conducting a security patrol in Zhari District.
 

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Captain Richard (Steve) Leary of the 2nd Battalion, PPCLI, from Shilo, Manitoba

June 3, 2008

Cpt. Richard (Steve) Leary was killed today at approximately 9:30 a.m., Kandahar time. The Canadian soldier was killed by direct fire when a joint Afghan-Canadian dismounted security patrol came under small arms fire from insurgents in the Panjwayi District.
 

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Corporal Michael Starker, of 15 Field Ambulance

May 6, 2008

Corporal Michael Starker, of 15 Field Ambulance was killed in combat when he came under fire while on Patrol in Afghanistan. One other soldier was injured.
 

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Private Terry John Street, 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

April 04, 2008

Private Terry John Street, from 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was killed today when his armoured vehicle struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
 

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Sergeant Jason Boyes, 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI), Shilo, Manitoba.

March 16, 2008

Sergeant Jason Boyes was killed today by an explosive deviceat approximately 8:20 p.m. Kandahar time while participating in a joint Afghan-Canadian foot patrol in the Zangabad region, in the District of Panjwayi, approximately 35 km South-West of Kandahar City.
 

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Bombardier Jérémie Ouellet,1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Shilo, Manitoba.

March 11, 2008

At approximately 2:15 pm today Kandahar time, a Canadian soldier was found dead in an accommodation room, at Kandahar Airfield.
 

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Trooper Michael Yuki Hayakaze, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), Edmonton, Alberta

March 2, 2008

At approximately 3:45 p.m. Kandahar time on March 2, Trooper Hayakaze was killed when his armoured vehicle hit a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the Mushan region, located in the District of Panjawayi, 45 km West of Kandahar City.
 

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Sapper Étienne Gonthier, 5th Combat Engineer Regiment, Valcartier Québec

January 23, 2008

Sapper Étienne Gonthier, Age 21, 5th Combat Engineer Regiment, Valcartier Québec who was part of a convoy was killed when the armoured vehicle he was in struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED)
 

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Trooper Richard Renaud 12e Régiment blindé du Canada

January 15, 2008

Trooper Richard Renaud, age 26, from Alma Quebec was killed  in a roadside bomb attack in southern Afghanistan. He was a member of the Valcartier-based 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, which can be informally translated as the 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment.
 

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Corporal Éric Labbé, 2nd Bataillon, Royal 22nd Régiment, Valcartier Québec

January 6, 2008

Éric Labbé, age 31, was killed at approximately 6:30 p.m. Kandahar time on January 6, when their Light Armoured Vehicle rolled over, during a tactical move across difficult terrain.

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Warrant Officer Hani Massouh, 2nd Bataillon, Royal 22nd Régiment, Valcartier, Québec

January 6, 2008

Hani Massouh, age 41, was killed at approximately 6:30 p.m. Kandahar time on January 6, when their Light Armoured Vehicle rolled over, during a tactical move across difficult terrain.

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Gunner Jonathan Dion,  5 Régiment d'Artillerie légère du Canada, based in Valcartier, Québec

December 30, 2007

OTTAWA - At approximately 9:10 a.m. local time (in Kandahar), Gunner Jonathan Dion was killed when the Armoured Vehicle he was in struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device. Four other Canadian soldiers were also injured. The incident occurred during a routine patrol, approximately 20 km West of Kandahar city, in the Zharey District. Helicopters were used to evacuate the soldiers to the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield. The wounded soldiers are in stable condition and have contacted their families.

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Master Corporal Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp, age 28, 5e Ambulance de campagne, based out of Valcartier, Québec.

November 17, 2007

OTTAWA - Two Canadian soldiers, and one Afghan interpreter were killed at approximately 12:00 a.m. Kandahar time on 17 November, 2007 when their Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device approximately 40 km West of Kandahar city in the vicinity of Ma’sum Ghar.

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Corporal Nathan Hornburg Reserve soldier, King's Own Calgary Regiment, Calgary, Alberta

November 17, 2007

OTTAWA - Two Canadian soldiers, and one Afghan interpreter were killed at approximately 12:00 a.m. Kandahar time on 17 November, 2007 when their Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device approximately 40 km West of Kandahar city in the vicinity of Ma’sum Ghar.

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Private Michel Jr. Lévesque, age 25, 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment, based out of Valcartier, Québec.

November 17, 2007

OTTAWA - Two Canadian soldiers, and one Afghan interpreter were killed at approximately 12:00 a.m. Kandahar time on 17 November, 2007 when their Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device approximately 40 km West of Kandahar city in the vicinity of Ma’sum Ghar.

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Major Raymond Ruckpaul, NATO Allied Land Component Command

August 29, 2007

OTTAWA - Major Raymond Ruckpaul, NATO Allied Land Component Command 42, died after being found wounded in his room at the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force in the Afghan capital.

Go to Memorial  

Master Corporal Christian Duchene, 5e Ambulance de campagne, based out of Valcartier, Quebec

August 22, 2007

OTTAWA - Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier was killed at approximately 6:19 p.m. Kandahar time today when their Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) struck a suspected mine approximately 50 kms West of Kandahar City.

Go to Memorial  

Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier, 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment, based out of Valcartier, Québec

August 22, 2007

OTTAWA - Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier was killed at approximately 6:19 p.m. Kandahar time today when their Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) struck a suspected mine approximately 50 kms West of Kandahar City.

Go to Memorial  

Private Simon Longtin of the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment, based out of Valcartier, Québec..

August 19 2007

OTTAWA - Pte Longtin succumbed to his injuries after his LAV III struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) roughly 1:41 am Kandahar time, approximately 20 kms West of Kandahar City. At the time of the incident, the Canadian convoy was returning from a Forward Operating Base following a re-supply mission from Kandahar Airfield.

Go to Memorial  

MCpl Colin Bason, a reservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment based out of New West Minster, B.C.

July 4 2007

OTTAWA - MCpl Colin Bason, a reservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment was killed on 4 July, 2007 along with 5 other CF members and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device, approximately 20km south-west of Kandahar City. RWMR is based out of New West Minster, B.C.

Go to Memorial  

Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Edmonton.

July 4 2007

OTTAWA – Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was killed on 4 July, 2007 along with 5 other CF members and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device, approximately 20km south-west of Kandahar City. 3 PPCLI is based out of Edmonton, Alberta.

Go to Memorial  

Cpl Cole Bartsch, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry  Edmonton.

July 4 2007

OTTAWA – Cpl Cole Bartsch, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was killed on 4 July, 2007 along with 5 other CF members and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device, approximately 20km south-west of Kandahar City. 3 PPCLI is based out of Edmonton, Alberta.

Go to Memorial  

Private Lane Watkins, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) from CFB Edmonton.

July 4 20047

OTTAWA – Private Lane Watkins was killed on 4 July, 2007 along with 5 other CF members and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device, approximately 20km south-west of Kandahar City. Pte Watkins was a member of 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia"s Canadian Light Infantry, 3 PPCLI, based out of Edmonton.

Go to Memorial  

Cpl Jordan Anderson, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) from CFB Edmonton.

July 4 2007

OTTAWA – Cpl Jordan Anderson, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was killed on 4 July, 2007 along with 5 other CF members and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device, approximately 20km south-west of Kandahar City. 3 PPCLI is based out of Edmonton, Alberta.

Go to Memorial

Captain Jefferson Francis of 1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery(1 RCHA) based out of Shilo, Manitoba

July 4 2007

OTTAWA – Captain Jefferson Francis of 1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery(1 RCHA), was killed on 4 July, 2007 along with 5 other CF members and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device, approximately 20km south-west of Kandahar City. 1 RCHA is based out of Shilo, Manitoba.

Go to Memorial  

Sergeant Christos Karigiannis, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) from CFB Edmonton.

June 20, 2007

OTTAWA – Sergeant Christos Karigiannis was killed when the vehicle he was traveling in struck an improvised explosive device on the main road, approximately 6 km west of Forward Operating Base Sperwan-Gar. The incident occurred while the soldiers were conducting resupply operations between checkpoints.

Go to Memorial  

Private Vincent Wiebe, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) from CFB Edmonton.

June 20, 2007

OTTAWA – Private Vincent Wiebe was killed when the vehicle he was traveling in struck an improvised explosive device on the main road, approximately 6 km west of Forward Operating Base Sperwan-Gar. The incident occurred while the soldiers were conducting resupply operations between checkpoints.

Go to Memorial

Corporal Stephen Frederick Bouzane,  Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) from CFB Edmonton.

June 20, 2007

OTTAWA – Corporal Stephen Frederick Bouzane was killed when the vehicle he was traveling in struck an improvised explosive device on the main road, approximately 6 km west of Forward Operating Base Sperwan-Gar. The incident occurred while the soldiers were conducting resupply operations between checkpoints.

Go to Memorial

Trooper Darryl Caswell of The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD), 25, based at Petawawa, Ont.

June 11, 2007

OTTAWA – Trooper Darryl Caswell (Bomanville) was killed today when a roadside bomb detonated near the vehicle he was traveling in, about 40 km north of Kandahar City. The incident occurred at approximately 6:25 p.m. Kandahar time (10:05 a.m. EST).

Go to Memorial  

Master Corporal Darrell Jason Priede from Gagetown, NB

May 31, 2007

OTTAWA – Master Corporal Darrell Jason Priede, a military Imagery Technician serving with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Regional Command (South) Headquarters at Kandahar Airfield, was killed when the helicopter in which he was a passenger went down at approximately 9 p.m. Kandahar time on 30 May, near the town of Kajaki, Helmand Province, about 95 kms northwest of Kandahar City. Master Corporal Priede was a member of the Army News Team from 3 Area Support Group, based at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick.

Go to Memorial  

Corporal Matthew McCully, (CP/HO/Canadian Armed Forces), 25, from Orangeville, Ontario

May 25, 2007

A Canadian soldier who died in Afghanistan on May 25, 2007 has been identified. Corporal Matthew McCully, 25, from Petawawa, Ontario, was killed in IED attack. He was a signaler and communications specialist working, like 70 other Canadian troops in the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, with soldiers of the Afghan National Army. An Afghan interpreter was slightly injured in the blast.

Go to Memorial  

Master-Corporal Anthony Klumpenhouwer, 25, from Listowel, Ontario

April 18, 2007

A Canadian soldier who died in Afghanistan on April 18th has been identified. Master-Corporal Anthony Klumpenhouwer, 25, from Listowel, Ontario, was killed in an accident. The communications technician was working on a tower when the accident occurred.   Go to Memorial  

   

Trooper Patrick James Pentland, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, based in Petawawa, Ont

April 11, 2007

On the eve of six killed April 8, 2007 coming home Trooper Patrick James Pentland was killed when his vehicle was bombed by an road side IED during heavy fighting with the Taliban resistance. Three other CF soldiers were, one seriously, as a result of this attack.  Go to Memorial  

Master Corporal Allan Stewart, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, based in Petawawa, Ont.

April 11, 2007

On the eve of six killed April 8, 2007 coming home Master Corporal Allan Stewart was killed when his vehicle was bombed by an road side IED during heavy fighting with the Taliban resistance. Three other CF soldiers were, one seriously, as a result of this attack. Go to Memorial

Sgt. Donald Lucas, 31, of Burton, N.B. (but raised in St. John's).  2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

April 8, 2007

Donald Lucas one of the six Canadian soldiers were killed and two of their comrades were injured today in Afghanistan after a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 hrs Kandahar time, west of Kandahar City.  Go to Memorial

Pte. Kevin Vincent Kennedy, 20, of St. Lawrence, N.L. 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

April 8, 2007

Kevin Kennedy one of six Canadian soldiers were killed and two of their comrades were injured today in Afghanistan after a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 hrs Kandahar time, west of Kandahar City.  Go to Memorial

Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, 23, of Lincoln, N.B. 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

April 8, 2007

Aaron Williams one of Six Canadian soldiers were killed and two of their comrades were injured today in Afghanistan after a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 hrs Kandahar time, west of Kandahar City.  Go to Memorial

Pte. David Robert Greenslade, 20, of Saint John, N.B. 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

April 8, 2007

David Greenslade one of six Canadian soldiers were killed and two of their comrades were injured today in Afghanistan after a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 hrs Kandahar time, west of Kandahar City.  Go to Memorial

Cpl. Brent Poland, 37, of Camlachie, Ont. 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

April 8, 2007

Six Canadian soldiers were killed and two of their comrades were injured today in Afghanistan after a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 hrs Kandahar time, west of Kandahar City.  Go to Memorial

Master Cpl. Christopher Paul Stannix, 24, of Dartmouth, N.S. reservist with the Princess Louise Fusiliers, Halifax

April 8, 2007

Christopher Stannix one of six Canadian soldiers were killed and two of their comrades were injured today in Afghanistan after a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 hrs Kandahar time, west of Kandahar City. Stannix was promoted in the field to Master Corporal in Afghanistan  Go to Memorial

Corporal Kevin Megeney, Reserve -1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders

March 6, 2007.

Canadian soldier Corporal Kevin Megeney, Reserve -1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders was killed by accidental friendly fire on Tuesday March 7, 2007 The accident took place in the compounds of a non war area in Afghanistan.   Go to Memorial

Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard, the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion

November 27, 2006.

Canadian soldier Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard, the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion was killed by suicide attack on Monday November 27, 2006 A suicide car bomber struck a military convoy near the southern Afghan city of Kandahar Go to Memorial

Cpl. Albert Storm from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group

November 27, 2006.

Canadian soldier Cpl. Albert Storm from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group was killed by suicide attack on Monday November 27, 2006 A suicide car bomber struck a military convoy near the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.

Go to Memorial

Sgt. Darcy Tedford, 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment

Oct. 14, 2006.

Sgt. Darcy Tedford was killed on October 14 when his unit was ambushed near the new Panjwayi development road, 25km West of Kandahar City.

Go to Memorial  

Pte. Blake Williamson, 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment

Oct. 14, 2006.

Pte Blake Williamson was killed on October 14 when his unit was ambushed near the new Panjwayi development road, 25km West of Kandahar City.

Go to Memorial  

Trooper Mark Wilson,  Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ontario

Oct. 7, 2006.

Trp. Mark Wilson was killed on October 7 when the RG-31 he was traveling in was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Panjwayi area, approximately 25 km west of Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Go to Memorial  

Cpl Robert Mitchell, Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ontario

Oct. 3, 2006.

Cpl Robert Mitchell was killed October 3, 2006 in clashes with the Taliban. Mitchell was one of two Canadian Armed Forces trooper to die during the intense fighting this day in Afghanistan.

Go to Memorial  

Sgt Craig Gillam, Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ontario

Oct 3, 2006.

Sgt. Craig Gillam was killed October 3, 2006 in clashes with the Taliban. Gillam was one of two Canadian Armed Forces trooper to die during the intense fighting this day in Afghanistan.

Go to Memorial  

Pte. Josh Klukie, 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment

Sep.29, 2006.

Canadian soldier Pte. Josh Klukie was killed by an improvised explosive device, while he was conducting a foot patrol in the Panjwayi district, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Go to Memorial  

Cpl Glen Arnold, 2 Field Ambulance, CFB Petawawa, Ont

Sep.18, 2006.

Cpl Glen Arnold, a member of 2 Field Ambulance, was killed Sept 18, 2006 by a suicide bomber during a foot patrol in Afghanistan.

Go to Memorial  

Cpl. Shane Keating, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Sep.18, 2006.

Corporal Shane Keating of 2^nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was killed on Sept 18, 2006 by a suicide bomber who attacked his patrol in Afghanistan..Go to Memorial  

Cpl. Keith Morley, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry from Shilo, Man

Sep.18, 2006.

Corporal Keith Morley, of 2^nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was killed on Sept 18, 2006 by a suicide bomber who attacked his patrol in Afghanistan.

Go to Memorial  

Pte. David Byers, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Sep.18, 2006.

Pte David Byers, a member of 2 PPCLI was killed on Sept 18, 2006 by a suicide bomber who attacked his patrol in Afghanistan.

Go to Memorial  

  

 

Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa

Sep.3, 2006.

Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan was killed on Sunday, Sept. 3 fighting against Taliban insurgents west of Kandahar City.Go to Memorial  

Pte. Mark Anthony Graham, 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment

Sep. 3, 2006. Pte. Mark Anthony Graham, a member of 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ont., was killed on Monday, Sept. 4, about 15 kilometres west of Kandahar City as Canadian troops participating in Operation Medusa were mistakenly strafed by a U.S. warplane.Go to Memorial  

Private William Jonathan James Cushley, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

Sep. 3, 2006.

Private William Jonathan James Cushley was killed in Afghanistan on September 3, 2006.Go to Memorial  

  Sergeant Shane Stachnik, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment

Sep. 3, 2006.

Sergeant Shane Stachnik was killed while fighting Taliban insurgents in an operation whose roots trace back to the New York and Washington terror attacks.Go to Memorial  

  Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, 1st Batallion, Royal Canadian Regiment

Sep. 3, 2006.

Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish was killed on September 3, 2006 in Afghanistan.Go to Memorial  

Cpl. David Braun, Second Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Aug. 22, 2006.

Cpl. David Braun  was killed in a suicide attack on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.Go to Memorial  

Cpl. Andrew James Eykelenboom, 1st Field Ambulance, CFB Edmonton

Aug. 11, 2006.

Cpl. Andrew James Eykelenboom, a Canadian Forces medic with One Field Ambulance based in Edmonton, was killed Friday in a suicide attack near Spin Boldak, about 100 kilometres south of Kandahar.

Go to Memorial
 

Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Aug. 9, 2006. 06:51 AM

Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh died in Afghanistan Aug 9, His death came just six days after he was re-deployed to the country for his second tour of duty.

Go to Memorial
 
Master Corporal Raymond Arndt, Loyal Edmonton Regiment

Aug. 5, 2006.

Master Corporal Raymond Arndt of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment died in a vehicle accident south east of Kandahar August 5, 2006.Go to Memorial  

Cpl. Christopher Jonathan Reid, 1st Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Aug. 3, 2006.

Cpl. Christopher Jonathan Reid, of 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was killed Aug. 3 near Kandahar by a roadside bomb.Go to Memorial  

 

Sgt. Vaughn Ingram, First Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Aug. 3, 2006.

Sgt. Vaughn Ingram of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry died in Afghanistan on Aug. 3, 2006.Go to Memorial  

Cpl. Bryce Jeffrey Keller, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Aug. 3, 2006.

Cpl. Bryce Jeffrey Keller of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry died in Afghanistan Aug. 3.Go to Memorial  

 

Private Kevin Dallaire, 1st Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Aug. 3, 2006.

Private Kevin Dallaire of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was killed August 3, 2006 near the village of Pashmul, southwest of Kandahar City, Afghanistan.Go to Memorial
 

Corporal Francisco Gomez

July 22, 2006.

Corporal Francisco Gomez of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton was one of two Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on July 22, 2006.Go to Memorial  

 

Corporal Jason Patrick Warren, Montreal's The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

July 22, 2006.

Corporal Jason Patrick Warren of The Black Watch in Montreal was one of two Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on July 22, 2006.Go to Memorial  

Corporal Anthony Joseph Boneca, 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

July 9, 2006.

Corporal Anthony Joseph Boneca was killed during an engagement with the Taliban near Kandahar on the morning of July 9th.Go to Memorial  

 

Capt. Nichola Goddard, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

May. 17, 2006.

Goddard, a 26-year-old officer with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, was killed while serving as a forward observer, ready to bring down gunfire in support of the infantry. She was Canada’s first female fighting soldier to die by enemy fire.Go to Memorial  

 

Cpl. Randy Payne, CFB/ASU Wainwright Military Police (MP) Platoon in Wainwright

April 22, 2006.

Payne, 32, was killed in Afghanistan April 22 with three other soldiers when a roadside bomb exploded next to their vehicle.Go to Memorial  

 

Corporal Matthew David James Dinning, 2 Mechanized Brigade Group in Petawawa

Apr. 22, 2006.

Dyer was killed in Afghanistan April 22 with three other soldiers when a roadside bomb exploded next to their vehicle.
Go to Memorial  

 

Lieutenant William Turner, Canadian Armed Forces Reserves

Apr. 22, 2006.

Lieutenant William Turner was killed in Afghanistan April 22 with three other soldiers when a roadside bomb exploded next to their vehicle.
Go to Memorial  

 

Bombardier Myles Mansell, Canadian Armed Forces Reserves

Apr. 22, 2006.

Bombardier Myles Mansell was killed in Afghanistan April 22 with three other soldiers when a roadside bomb exploded next to their vehicle.Go to Memorial  

Pte. Robert Costall, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton

Mar. 28, 2006.

Canadian soldier Robert Costall was killed in a firefight with Taliban insurgents near Kandahar on March 28th.Go to Memorial  

  Cpl. Paul Davis, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

Mar. 2, 2006.

Corporal Paul Davis, a Canadian soldier from Bridgewater, N.S., serving with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI) in Kandahar, was killed March 2 when the light armoured vehicle collided with a civilian taxi and then rolled over after hitting a ditch on the side of the road.Go to Memorial  

 

Master-Corporal Timothy Wilson, Second Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Mar. 4, 2006.
Master-Corporal Timothy Wilson, of Grande Prairie, Alberta, who was seriously injured in the March 2 vehicle accident in Kandahar, Afghanistan, died at a U.S.-run hospital in Landstuhl, Germany early Sunday March 5, 2006.Go to Memorial  

Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry

Jan. 15, 2006.

Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry, a political director posted with the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan, was killed near Kandahar in an apparent suicide bombing on Sunday, January 15Go to Memorial  

Private Braun Scott Woodfield

Nov. 24, 2005.

Private Braun Scott Woodfield of Victoria, B.C., shown in a August 26, 2005 photo in Kabul, Afghanistan was killed Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005 and four others injured when their armoured vehicle rolled over in Afghanistan.Go to Memorial  

 

Cpl. Jamie Murphy, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment

Jan. 27, 2004. 03:44 PM

Cpl. Jamie Brendan Murphy, killed in Kabul Jan. 27 in a suicide attack

Go to Memorial
 

Sgt. Robert Short, Royal Canadian Regiment, 3rd Battalion

Oct. 2, 2003. 04:53 PM

Sgt. Robert Short, 42, was killed Oct. 2, 2003 when his jeep hit a land mine or buried shell near the capital, Kabul.Go to Memorial  

  Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Ottawa

Oct. 2, 2003.

Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger, 29, was killed Oct. 2, 2003 when his jeep hit a land mine or buried shell near the capital, Kabul.Go to Memorial  

 

Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Light Infantry of Edmonton

Apr. 17, 2002.

Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Light Infantry of Edmonton is seen in this undated file photo.Go to Memorial  

 

Sgt. Marc Leger, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

Apr. 17, 2002.

Sgt. Marc Leger died April 17, 2002 under friendly fire.Go to Memorial  

 

Pte. Richard Green, A Company, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Apr. 17, 2002.

Pte. Richard Green died April 17, 2002 under friendly fire.Go to Memorial  

 

Pte. Nathan Lloyd Smith, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia Light Infantry

Apr. 17, 2002. 04:21 PMPte. Nathan Lloyd Smith, died April 17, 2002 under friendly fire.Go to Memorial
 

  







September 11, 2001

BLOGSPOT: 

CANADA MILITARY NEWS: Sept 1- AFGHANISTAN news- Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the Nelson Mandela of Afghanistan and hopefully next President 2014/ Pls note the no. countries Girls DON'T get education equality/ Repatriation and Remembering Canada's finest who gave all in Afghanistan 158 photos- God bless Afghanistan and Nato troops/September 11, 2001- photos and list of Canadians -World Trade Center

http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/08/canada-military-news-sept-1-afghanistan.html

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To all our aged Vets who cannot be honourable accepted 2 local hospitals like Camp Hill in Halifax because of outdated and way 2 many aged civil servants who still control elected MPs and all governments- saw this in the 60s and 70s... and Sweet Jesus, Mother Mary and Joseph.... in Canada... a Vet is a Vet... PERIOD... all parties stop showboating on tv and media 4 your political parties... work 2gether and fix this sheeet... or we ill kick all your asses out of our parliaments... and that's a damm promise.... the underground silent majority of everyday people have had enough... and NDP, Tory, Liberals, (Greens just don't give a sheeet- move on this one) and Bloc..... we mean all of u.... ENOUGH OF YOUR PRETEND U CARE. We want results... Camp Hill has beds... why should our service men and women die in such horror and rejection from municipal, provincial and federal governments... who just don't give a sheeeeet... except 4 a news blurb??? God bless our folks who serve... thank u... IT'S FRIDAY FOLKS... how about a little red something something 4 our troops....

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153265021671886&set=a.10152685943101886.1073741826.627936885&type=1&theater




https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153265021381886&set=a.10152685943101886.1073741826.627936885&type=1&theater



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153265030496886&set=a.10152685943101886.1073741826.627936885&type=1&theater

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 AFGHANISTAN'S PRESIDENT GHANI AND DR. ABDULLAH - WANTED 2 VISIT CANADA ON THEIR USA TRIP 2015- AND CANADA - Tory-Liberal-NDP-Green-Bloc- put a VETO on it??? WTF????? The greatest victory in humanity of the last 15 years-  April 5, 2014 election in Afghanistan where 8 million women, their mommas, grandmas, sisters, brothers and youngbloods marched in the face of the Taliban Islamic Baby killing marching and freezing horrendous rain storm and voted.... from the mountains and the valleys... 2 the cities proving our Canadian and Nato and Afghan troops did NOT die in  vain....   OH CANADA-  troops and their mommas and grandmas won't ever 4give this- fix it... or the election of Canada 2015 is going 2 decimate your political parties.... imho. ARTICLE:

Afghan president's visit to Canada quietly scrubbed amid Iraq debate

Macleans.ca
Afghan president's visit to Canada quietly scrubbed amid Iraq debate
Macleans.ca
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani listens to a question from the audience at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Wednesday, March 25, 2015. (Carolyn Kaster/AP/CP). OTTAWA - A series of diplomatic sources say Afghanistan's ...
Afghan president's trip to Canada scrapped: SourcesCP24 Toronto's Breaking News
Visit of new Afghan president scrubbedHamilton Spectator

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/afghan-presidents-visit-to-canada-quietly-scrubbed-amid-iraq-debate/



PHOTOS:




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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153261320346886&set=pcb.10153261331521886&type=1&theater

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We Are Canadian Soldiers

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A BEAUTIFUL  TEACHER’S REPLY- 4 Doreen Young and all moms and dads and families and Canadians mourning our 158 sons and daughters who were killed trying 2 bring basic freedom and basic human rights 2 Afghanistan after September 11, 2001-

Brian Long on November 17, 2012 at 3:33 am said:

My name is Brian Long, and I am a public school teacher, teaching near Belleville, Ontario. I am also a former journalist, having worked as an anchor and reporter at radio stations in Ottawa, and the Belleville area.

Throughout my teaching career, I have noticed, that as each Remembrance Day passes, the idea of ‘remembering’ drifts further and further away from children. They are quickly becoming disengaged. I believe this is because they are so far removed from the world wars, and fail to see the relevance to their own lives.

You would be shocked and saddened at the number of students in my classroom that planned to attend our town’s Remembrance Ceremony.

The war in Afghanistan has brought more clarity for students because it has happened during their lifetimes…an unfortunate opportunity to re-energize and re-emphasize the importance of carrying on the traditions of Remembering and demonstrating to young people the important role they have in carrying this on.

I had the privilege of producing the Remembrance Service at my school this year. Using children’s voices, I combined images, sound and voice to create a multi-media presentation…and saw a glimmer of hope. The service hooked and engaged students. They sat up and took notice, some with tears in their eyes. But I think there is more that can be done.

I, along with a teaching partner, would like to shoot, edit and produce a documentary-style film that is geared towards young people; one that moves and motivates, and touches their souls, demonstrating why we all must never forget.

As a teacher, I work to engage children all day, every day; as a journalist I can tell a story.

Here’s why I write this. We need help with the project we have dubbed ‘They Too Shall Remember’. We would like to get in touch with Canadian veterans from the conflict in Afghanistan. We would like to speak with those who have returned with the physical and mental scars of war, and the families of some we lost. We understand the subject matter is very sensitive, and you can trust that our approach to this is one of extreme sensitivity and respect. We are hoping to create a product that could be used as an educational tool in schools across the country.

I fear if we don’t act soon, there will come a day when society stops Remembering. We simply cannot let that happen.

We would appreciate any help that you can provide.

Thanks so much for your consideration.

Brian Long

brianjlong@sympatico.ca

facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheyTooShallRemember

AFGHANISTAN- A CANADIAN STORY

Canadian Afghan Mission: 2001 – 2014

Casualties

Casualties

Sadly the CTV source for the photos and associated links used for this page has been removed. An unfortuante indication of fading public interest in the Afghan Mission even though we still have troops serving there. As time permits, this page will be rebuilt to once again include the photos of the fallen. In the meantime, the text has been retained and a pdf of the original table saved. In the line of duty – Canadian Casualties Afghanistan

2002

April 18, 2002: Four Canadian Soldiers Die in “Friendly Fire” Incident

Four Canadian soldiers are killed and eight others wounded after an American F-16 fighter aircraft attacks their position with a 500-pound bomb, mistaking them for Taliban militants. The soldiers were taking part in a nighttime, live-fire training exercise 14 kilometres from Kandahar airbase. The U.S. pilot, Maj. Harry Schmidt, was later disciplined. He apologized for his mistake.

Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, 24

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, AB

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Known for astonishing endurance, Dyer once finished a military triathlon with a broken foot. He is survived by father Paul, sister Carolyn and fiance? Jocelyn Van Sloten.

Pte. Richard Green, 21

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, AB Hometown: Mill Cove, N.S.

His intense work ethic earned him parachute jump wings before he headed to Afghanistan. Known as Ricky, Green kept quiet about his achievements. Green had a girlfriend whom he had wanted to marry. A friend made sure the engagement ring Green had purchased for Miranda Boutilier, Green’s high-school sweetheart, made it back to her from Afghanistan.

Sgt. Marc Leger, 29

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, AB Hometown: Lancaster, ON

Leger had also served in Bosnia and dedicated himself there to rebuilding a shattered village in the Livno Valley. He is survived by his wife and parents.

Pte. Nathan Smith, 26

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, AB Hometown: Tatamagouche, N.S.

Optimistic and good natured, friends say Smith faced all situations with a lovable, goofy smile.

2003

Oct. 2, 2003: Bomb blast kills two on patrol

Two Canadian soldiers are killed and three injured when a jeep strikes an explosive device while patrolling the Afghan capital of Kabul. They were travelling in an Iltis jeep, which is unarmoured, but military officials said a better vehicle wouldn’t have saved them.

Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger, 29

3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Ottawa, Ont. Described as always ready to take charge and give his all in battle, Beerenfenger is survived by wife Tina, baby daughter Madison and mother.

Sgt. Robert Short, 42

3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Fredericton, N.B.

Short was an ardent Toronto Maple Leafs fan who believed Stanley Cup glory was just around the corner. Friends described him as a practical, optimistic man who, through devotion and determination, accomplished extraordinary things on a regular basis. He is survived by

 2004

Jan. 27, 2004: Suicide bomber kills Canadian soldier

A routine patrol on the streets of Kabul turned deadly when a suicide bomber leaped onto the hood of an Iltis jeep, detonating a bomb apparently strapped to his chest. One soldier died in the blast and three others were injured. The incident happened relatively close to Camp Julien, the compound housing Canadian soldiers.

Cpl. Jamie Murphy, 26

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, ON Hometown: Conception Harbour, N.L.

A practical joker whose smile and winning nature kept him out of trouble, Murphy had planned to propose to his girlfriend upon return. He had been only days from returning to Canada. He is survived by his parents and three siblings.

2005

Nov. 24, 2005: Soldier dies in armoured vehicle rollover

One Canadian soldier was killed and four others injured in Afghanistan when a light armoured vehicle rolled over near Kandahar. The driver reportedly swerved to avoid an oncoming car that was driving without its headlights on.

Pte. Braun Woodfield, 24

2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Oromocto, N.B. Hometown: Eastern Passage, N.S.

Woodfield’s family had a history of military service. Woodfield had also served as a

2006

Jan. 15, 2006: Canadian diplomat killed in suicide bomb attack

Glyn Berry, political director of Canada’s provincial reconstruction team, dies when a suicide bomber attacks a Canadian convoy about one kilometre southeast of Kandahar City. Three soldiers with Berry suffer severe injuries.

Glyn Berry, 59

Director, Foreign Affairs Canada

The veteran Canadian diplomat had volunteered for Afghanistan. ‘He was a guy made for difficult assignments,’ former Canadian UN ambassador Paul Heinbecker told The Globe and Mail.

Berry was the first Canadian foreign service officer in more than 40 years to die in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Valerie, and two sons, Rhys and Gareth.

Hometown: Barry, South Wales

March 2, 2006: Armoured vehicle crash kills two Canadian soldiers

A LAV III armoured vehicle crashed into a taxi on the outskirts of Kandahar City. The LAV rolled. One soldier died at the scene, and another would die later. Five other Canadian soldiers would suffer injuries, as would an Afghan interpreter.

Cpl. Paul Davis, 28

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man. Hometown: Bridgewater, N.S.

Dedicated soldier remembered for his bravery and camaraderie with fellow soldiers. His father Jim Davis recalled that his son loved playing hockey and had been nicknamed ‘Smiley’ by his young teammates. Davis is survived by wife Melanie, young daughters, mother Connie Davis, father Jim, and stepmother Sharon Davis.

Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson, 30

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man.

Hometown: Grand Prairie, Alta.

Wilson died in a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany about three days after the crash. His wife Daphne and mother Jane were at his side. His organs were donated. ‘Tim’s selflessness earned him the respect and admiration of all who knew him, we have always supported Tim’s military career,’ said Jane. ‘He died doing something he both loved and believed in, in both life and in death.’

March 29, 2006: Canadian dies in ‘friendly fire’ incident

A Canadian soldier dies during a vicious firefight with Taliban forces at Forward Operating Base Robinson in Helmand province, about 110 kilometres northwest of Kandahar City. It would later be determined that Pte. Robert Costall died as a result of fire coming from U.S. special forces. A U.S. soldier and eight Afghan National Army soldiers would also die from friendly fire that day.

Pte. Robert Costall, 22

1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta.

Hometown: Thunder Bay, Ont.

Costall, a machine-gunner, is remembered as a dedicated soldier who loved his wife and newborn son. ‘What I can remember, a bright blue-eyed child always smiling, always happy,’ Pte. Robert Costall’s older brother Buddy said at the April 6, 2006 funeral service in Gibsons, B.C.

Costall is survived by wife Chrissy, son Colin, who was one when his father died and parents.

April 22, 2006: Roadside bomb kills four soldiers

Four Canadian soldiers travelling in a Mercedes G-Wagon in the Gumbad region about 75 kilometres north of Kandahar City died when a roadside bomb destroyed their vehicle. Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada’s top soldier, said the explosive power of the bomb would have killed the quartet no matter what vehicle they had been in.

Cpl. Matthew Dinning, 23

2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ont.

‘I distinctly remember him saying: ‘If I’m going to be killed, it will be by a roadside bomb and I’ll die instantly.’ How right he was,’ father Lincoln Dinning said at the April 29, 2006 funeral service.

Matthew loved hockey and hoped to become an Ontario Provincial Police officer like his father some day. He is survived by his parents and brother Matt.

Bombardier Myles Mansell, 25

5th Field Artillery Regiment, Victoria, B.C. Hometown: Victoria, B.C.

Mansell loved being a soldier. He sent flowers and a teddy bear to fiancee Lindsay Sullivan just three weeks before his death.

‘Myles died a hero in my books. He paid the supreme sacrifice to help others,’ his uncle Michael Mansell said at the May 3, 2006 funeral service in Victoria, B.C. Myles is survived by Lindsay and his parents.

Cpl. Randy Payne, 32

CFB/ASU Wainwright Military Police Platoon, Wainwright, Alta.

Born: Lahr, West Germany, Hometown: Gananoque, Ont.

Born into a military family, Payne was a military police officer. ‘Randy took extreme pride in being a military police officer. He was not only a friend to myself, but to all my police colleagues,’ Cpl. Cory Gaffey said at the May 3, 2006 funeral service in Wainwright. Payne is survived by his wife, two young children, parents and a brother in the Canadian Forces.

Lieut. William Turner, 45

Land Force Western Area Headquarters Edmonton, Alta.

Hometown: Toronto, Ont.

Turner was a reservist who worked as a liaison officer in Afghanistan, meeting with local elders. He left a bottle of whisky with a friend to be opened upon his safe return. A competitive cyclist celebrated for his team spirit, Turner was described as a courageous and hard-working soldier.

May 17: Canadian woman the 16th soldier killed in Afghanistan

A Taliban ambush during a firefight in the Panjwaii region of Afghanistan leaves a Canadian soldier dead. Capt. Nichola Goddard, an artillery forward observation officer, had her head outside the hatch of her vehicle when a rocket-propelled grenade struck.

Capt. Nichola Goddard, 26

1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Shilo, Man.

Born: Papua, New Guinea. Hometown: Calgary, Alta.

Goddard was the first Canadian woman to die in a combat role. A dog-lover and active volunteer for the Calgary girl guides, Goddard loved being in the thick of the action. Her nickname was ‘Care Bear.’

She is survived by her husband Jason Beam, himself a soldier, parents and sisters. Her father Tim told her May 27, 2006 funeral in Calgary that his daughter was ‘a good soldier who died a soldier’s death.’

July 9, 2006 : Firefight leaves soldier dead

A Canadian soldier died and two injured in a firefight with Taliban insurgents, in Pashmul, a village west of Kandahar City that has historically been a Taliban stronghold.

Cpl. Anthony Boneca, 21

Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, Thunder Bay, Ont. Hometown: Thunder Bay, Ont.

Fellow soldiers described Boneca, nicknamed ‘T-bone,’ as a courageous man. He was three weeks away from returning home when he died. The fun-loving Boneca played football in his high school days.

His girlfriend Megan DeCorte claimed Boneca had been unhappy in Afghanistan, but the soldier’s father rejected that claim. Boneca is survived by his parents.

July 22, 2006 : Suicide bomber kills two soldiers

Two Canadian soldiers died and eight others were wounded when a suicide bomber rammed into a Bison armoured vehicle, the last vehicle in a massive coalition convoy near Kandahar City, before blowing himself up. The convoy had been returning from a 12-day mission that saw heavy combat but no Canadian deaths. The nickname for the stretch of highway where the attack occurred is “IED Alley.”

Cpl. Francisco Gomez, 44

1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta.

Born: Trinidad and Tobago. Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.

Gomez was a career officer who served in the Canadian army for 23. ‘It’s a dangerous job,’ father George Gomez told CTV Edmonton. ‘It’s a job you choose to do, so you have to take the consequences, too. But I think if they’re successful, the people in Afghanistan will appreciate it.’

He is survived by his father, mother Joan and brother Richard, who also serves in the military.

Cpl. Jason Warren, 29

The Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, Montreal, QC

Hometown: Quebec City, QC

Army service was a long-time tradition in Warren’s family; his sister is a corporal and his grandfather is a retired brigadier-general. He was the first member of the Black Watch to die in combat since the Second World War.

Warren, who also served in Bosnia, was described as a natural leader keen to make a difference in the lives of those hurt by the Taliban.

August 3, 2006: Four soldiers die in series of attacks

Four Canadian soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in a combination of Taliban attacks and roadside bombings. Three died in a rocket-propelled grenade attack near a burned-out school and one in a roadside bombing that hit a LAV III armoured vehicle.

Pte. Kevin Dallaire, 22

1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta.

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.

‘It’s not one of those things I thought would ever happen to my son, even though I knew and I realized that he was in a war environment,’ father Gaetan Dallaire told CTV News.

In the wake of their son’s death, Gaetan and wife Diane began a network for those parents who have lost children in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Vaughan Ingram, 35

1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta.

Hometown: Burgeo, N.L.

Described as a fearless soldier and completely dedicated to his mission. He is survived by wife, two young daughters, and mother.

At his funeral in Burgeo, his daughters released white balloons. As they drifted skyward, his youngest daughter said, ‘There’s my daddy going to heaven.’

Cpl. Bryce Keller, 27

1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta.Hometown: Regina, Sask.Keller devoted six years of his life to the military. He was also an avid animal lover who dedicated time to the humane society.Keller is survived by his parents, two brothers and his wife, Sarah, whom he met on a military training course in 1998.

Cpl. Christopher Reid, 34

1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, AB

Hometown: Truro, N.S.

Dedicated to the vocation of soldiering, Reid was described as a man with an adventurous spirit who loved camping with friends or driving fast in his four-by-four truck.

He is survived by parents Tom and Angela.

August 5, 2006: Collision leaves Canadian soldier dead

A Canadian soldier was killed and three others injured when a G-Wagon armoured jeep, in the lead of a convoy, collided with a civilian in a vehicle about 35 kilometres southeast of Kandahar city.

Master Cpl. Raymond Arndt, 31

The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Edson, Alta.

‘He was a very good soldier, very dedicated, very hard-working. He loved to smile, loved to tell jokes,’ Lt.-Col. Hans Brink said at Arndt’s funeral, held in Edson on Aug. 15, 2006. Arndt had been days away from returning home. He is survived by Darcia, his wife of nine months.

August 9, 2006: Accidental firearm discharge kills soldier

A Canadian soldier died after by being shot by the accidental discharge of a comrade-in-arms’ rifle. The shooting occurred inside a G-Wagon on patrol in the Kandahar City area. The military laid charges against Cpl. Robbie Fraser in connection with the incident.

 Master Cpl. Jeffrey Walsh, 33

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man.

Hometown: Regina, Sask.

Walsh was a police officer’s son. Friend Norman Yeo told Walsh’s Aug. 17, 2006 funeral in Regina that a sense of adventure and a desire to serve led Jeffrey to join the army.

Walsh is survived by wife, Julie Mason, and their three children, and parents Ben and Margie.

August 11, 2006: Suicide bombing leaves soldier dead

A Canadian soldier was killed after a suicide bomber drove his explosives-laden vehicle into a military convoy in southern Afghanistan.

Cpl. Andrew Eykelenboom, 23

1st Field Ambulance, Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Comox, B.C.

A medic, known as Boomer and affectionately described by colleagues as brave and goofy. ‘Even with a self-directed mission as great as helping others he found time to enjoy the life he was given, hanging out with friends, camping, fishing, snowboarding or surfing. All of which still involved his unspoken drive to educate everyone he could touch with his passion for the Lord and the ideals of care and good deeds,’ the family said in a statement.

He is survived by father Hans, mother Maureen and brothers. They set up a fund, Boomer’s Legacy, to help Afghan women and children.

August 22, 2006: Soldier killed in attack on supply convoy

A Canadian soldier was killed and three others were wounded when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-packed vehicle into a resupply convoy near a Canadian compound in Kandahar City.

Cpl. David Braun, 27

2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, MB Hometown: Raymore, Sask.

Braun dreamed of a military career from the age of 12. His comrades remember him as a brave and supportive soldier. He is survived by his mother Patty and three siblings.

Sept. 3, 2006: Four Canadians die during Operation Medusa

Four Canadian soldiers died and six wounded during a major NATO offensive called Operation Medusa in the volatile Panjwaii district of southern Afghanistan. British, U.S. and Afghan forces were all involved in the effort to push the Taliban out of the area. Military analysts would call this period some of the fiercest combat Canadian troops had seen since the Korean War.

Private William Jonathan James Cushley, 21

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Port Lambton, Ont. His friends and comrades said he exhibited strong leadership qualities, a fierce love of family and a sense of fun. He is survived by parents Errol and Elaine and three sisters.

Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, 38

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Truro, N.S. A long-time auto racing fan and dedicated soldier, Mellish is survived by his parents, wife Kendra — who still serves in the Canadian air force — and two young boys. He was buried in Summerside, P.E.I.

Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan, 39

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Mount Pearl, N.L. Nolan was described as an adventurous soul who enjoyed riding bulls. He had a strong belief in family values and loved playing with his children and stepchildren. Friends said he would help anyone in need. He is survived by partner Kelly, three sons, a stepdaughter and mother.

Sgt. Shane Stachnik, 30

2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Waskatenau, Alta. Former high-school buddy Randy Trenchuk remembered playing hockey with Stachnik, a combat engineer, and the frustrations with Shakespeare that they shared in English class. Stachnik, described as being dedicated and fun-loving, was to be married next summer. He is survived by parents Hank and Avril.

Sept. 4, 2006: U.S. warplane accidentally strafes Canadian soldiers

One Canadian soldier is killed and 36 others are wounded when a U.S. warplane accidentally strafed their position in southern Afghanistan. The Warthog A-10 aircraft, which specializes in low-level attacks and had been following up on a bombing run, honed in on a small fire the soldiers had lit. A U.S. Air Force report would later say the pilot “lost his situational awareness.” The soldiers were taking part in Operation Medusa in the Panjwaii district.

Pte. Mark Anthony Graham, 33

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.

Graham was a member of Canada’s Olympic 4×400 metre relay team in 1992. Comrades talked about his imposing physical size, warm smile and great singing voice. He had three brothers, one of whom also joined the military, and a young daughter. He wasn?t married.

Sept. 18, 2006: Suicide bomber kills four soldiers

Four Canadian soldiers were killed and 10 injured while on foot patrol in the Panjwaii district after a man on a bicycle rode detonated a suicide bomb packed with ball bearings. The attack came after an end was declared to Operation Medusa, a major effort to push the Taliban out of Panjwaii.

Cpl. Glen Arnold, 32

2 Field Ambulance, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: McKerrow, Ont.

Arnold was a medic who had served in Bosnia-Herzogovina and the Disaster Assistance Relief Team in Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami. He loved playing hockey and was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife Kerry, four children, parents, three brothers and a sister. ‘ ‘We miss you so much… and we can’t wait to see (you) home for Christmas,” Kerry Arnold wrote Sept. 6, 2006 on a Department of National Defence website that relays messages to Canada’s soldiers.

Pte. David Byers, 22

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man. Hometown: Espanola, Ont.

A friendly man and video game enthusiast in his high school days, Byers was killed before his fiance? Chantelle Roy was to give birth to their child. He is survived by Roy, his parents and a brother. Espanola is quite close to McKerrow, the home town of Cpl. Glen Arnold.

Cpl. Shane Keating, 30

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man. Hometown: Dalmeny, Sask.

Keating was described by his comrades as good-humoured and hard-working. He is survived by his mother, Judith Budd. ‘Nothing is worth losing a son but everything – everything – is worth a man willing to take that risk and to die for what he believes in,’ she told reporters in Saskatoon three days after her son’s death.

Cpl. Keith Morley, 30

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man. Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.

An animal lover and proud owner of a dog, Lokie. He is survived by sister Shannon and his mother Della.

‘Keith served two tours of Bosnia in 2001 and 2003. He served his country with pride and certainty that missions there and in Afghanistan would better the lives of the people in those troubled nations,’ Della Morley told reporters before her son’s Sept. 29, 2006 funeral in Winnipeg.

Sept. 29, 2006: Soldier killed on patrol by booby trap

A Canadian soldier out on a routine foot patrol along a Canadian-built road in the Panjwaii district died after stepping on a booby trap and triggering an explosion. Another soldier was injured.

Pte. Josh Klukie, 23

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Shuniah, Ont.

Charming and charismatic with a passion for sports, Klukie was an enthusiastic member of his high school basketball team. Klukie is survived by his mother and brother.

Oct. 3, 2006: Taliban attack kills two soldiers

Two Canadian soldiers were killed and five injured after coming under attack in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province. The Taliban were armed with mortars and possibly rocket-propelled grenades. The soldiers were working on clearing a route for a future road construction project.

Sgt. Craig Gillam, 40

Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: South Branch, N.L.

A man who led his troops by example and whose bravery saved many lives on the day he died. He participated in sports such as hockey and taekwondo with his children. ‘Craig was a loving father and husband, a dedicated soldier and a proud Newfoundlander,’ Gillam’s wife Maureen said in a statement before his Oct. 14, 2006 funeral. Gillam is survived by Maureen, two teenage children and his parents.

Cpl. Robert Mitchell, 32

Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Owen Sound, Ont.

Known to his friends as Jim, Mitchell strived to be the best. He is survived by wife Leanne, two sons and a daughter, and his parents.

Oct. 7: Roadside bomb kills soldier

Canada’s death toll in Afghanistan reaches 40 when a soldier is killed after a Nyala RG-31 armoured vehicle was struck by a roadside explosion in the Panjwaii district.

Trooper Mark Wilson, 39

Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: London, Ont.

Mourning for Wilson was marked by a campaign to deck London with yellow ribbons. He is survived by wife Dawn, sons Josh and Benjamin and parents Carl and Carolyn.

Oct. 14, 2006: Ambush leaves two soldiers dead

Two Canadians were killed and two injured as they patrolled a road construction project in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar City. Insurgents attacked with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Sgt. Darcy Tedford, 32

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, ON Hometown: Calgary, AB

Quietly confident, and trusted for wise advice, Tedford earned respect among peers over his several tours of duty. He was buried in the national military cemetery in Ottawa. Tedford is survived by his wife Charmaine, two young daughters and his parents.

Pte. Blake Williamson, 23

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Kemptville, Ont.

Described as a funny guy who made others laugh with his array of Chuck Norris jokes. Williamson, buried in the national military cemetery in Ottawa, is survived by his father, mother, stepfather, and siblings.

Nov. 27, 2006: Suicide bomber kills two soldiers

Two Canadian soldiers died in a suicide bomber’s attack on a military convoy in southern Afghanistan. The attack occurred about one kilometre outside Kandahar City. The two were the driver and crew commander of a Bison armoured personnel vehicle.

Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard, 46

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Bartouche, N.B.

A career soldier, CWO Girouard was a father of three. Two of his children are in the Canadian military. He celebrated an early Christmas with his family just days before his death. His Dec. 6, 2006 funeral heard: ‘In (wife) Jackie’s own words: ‘Bobby was what a man should be.”

Cpl. Albert Storm, 36

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ont.

Only three years away from retirement, Cpl. Storm was a decorated soldier who had been deployed to many parts of the world. He was buried at the foot of his mother’s grave. At the Dec. 8, 2006 funeral, Col. Peter Scott said Storm was ‘a model soldier who gave his all in everything he did.”

2007

March 6, 2007: Soldier dies in non-combat shooting

A Canadian reserve soldier died after being shot in the chest while in his tent at the Kandahar airfield. Charges against another soldier were eventually laid in connection with the incident.

Cpl. Kevin Megeney, 25

1st Battalion, Nova Scotia Highlanders, Truro, N.S. Hometown: New Glasgow, N.S.

Megeney, a reservist and the youngest of three siblings, had been in Afghanistan with the Nova Scotia Highlanders since Dec. 8, 2006. Generations of the Megeney family have enlisted with that regiment. Megeney had hoped to become a paramedic one day. ‘Every time he put on the uniform, wearing the Canadian flag on his shoulders, Kev was proud,’ Cpl. Brent Bowden told Megeny’s March 16, 2007 funeral.

April 8, 2007: Roadside bombing kills six soldiers

Six Canadian soldiers were killed on an Easter Sunday when a massive roadside bomb detonated, striking their LAV III armoured vehicle as they guarded a convoy about 75 kilometres west of Kandahar.

The event was described as the single largest one-day death toll suffered by Canadian troops since the Afghanistan campaign began in 2002.

Sgt. Donald Lucas, 31

2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Gagetown, N.B. Hometown: Burton, N.B.

Lucas was considered a leader by his fellow soldiers, but also something of a prankster. He spoke often of his love for his wife and children.

Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, 23

2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Gagetown, N.B. Hometown: Lincoln, N.B.

Williams was a sniper. His comrades considered him to be a quiet, competent soldier.

Pte. Kevin Vincent Kennedy, 20

2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Gagetown, N.B. Hometown: St. John’s, N.L.

He was good friends with Pte. David Greenslade, who also died that day. Kennedy’s brother had preceded him into the military.

Pte. David Robert Greenslade, 20

2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Gagetown, N.B. Hometown: Saint John, N.B.

The youngest soldier to die that day, Greenslade was remembered at his April 19, 2007 funeral as a sweet-tempered young man who loved his family, hockey and life. He was good friends with Pte. Kevin Kennedy, also killed in the blast.

Cpl. Christopher Paul Stannix (reservist), 24

Princess Louise Fusiliers, Halifax, NS Hometown: Dartmouth, N.S.

He gave up a civilian job to serve in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Brent Donald Poland, 37

2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Gagetown, N.B. Hometown: Sarnia, Ont.

‘We lost a man who loved his country, his regiment, his family and his friends, but we ought not hang our heads and wallow. That is not what Brent would have wanted,’ Maj. Mark Poland told his brother’s funeral, held April 20, 2007.

April 11, 2007: Roadside bomb kills two soldiers

There were three attacks on Canadian Forces personnel in Afghanistan this day. Two soldiers died in one of the incidents, when a roadside bomb exploded near their Coyote light reconnaissance vehicle about 38 kilometres west of Kandahar City.

Master Cpl. Allan Stewart, 31

Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Trout Brook, N.B.

Stewart was a husband to Christa, and a father of two girls, ages 9 and 12. He had been in the military for nine years. He was on his second tour in Afghanistan and on his third overseas mission, after having been deployed to Bosnia in 2001.

Trooper Patrick James Pentland, 23

Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Geary, N.B.

Pentland had joined the military three years ago and was working as a driver on his first deployment. His father Jim had been a soldier. Patrick was born on the Canadian military base at Lahr, Germany, and grew up near CFB Gagetown, N.B. Patrick had spent some of his recent leave time with his mother, Gabriele, in Germany. He loved children, and had considered adopting an Afghan orphan.

April 18, 2007: Soldier dies in fall from tower

A Canadian Special Forces soldier died after falling from a communication tower while out on a surveillance operation somewhere within Kandahar City.

Master Cpl. Anthony Klumpenhouwer, 25

Canadian Special Operations Forces Hometown: Listowel, Ont.

The second-oldest of 13 siblings, Klumpenhower was remembered by his aunt Judi as having bright blue eyes and a ‘beautiful smile.’ She also described her nephew as a natural soldier. She said he originally planned to enlist for a short term, but found the military to be such a good fit that he decided to stay.

May 25, 2007: IED kills soldier

A Canadian soldier taking part in Operation Hoover, a large offensive launched against the Taliban in Zhari district north of the Arghandab River, died after detonating an improvised explosive device.

Cpl. Matthew McCully, 25

2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Orangeville, Ont.

McCully, a signals operator, was a member of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan, Operational Mentor and Liaison Team. His comrades described the redhead as a perfectionist with a good sense of humour.

May 30, 2007: Soldier dies in helicopter crash

A Canadian soldier was one of seven people who died in a helicopter crash near Kajaki in Helmand province. Helmand adjoins Kandahar province, where Canadian troops are based.

Master Cpl. Darrell Jason Priede, 30

Army News Team, 3 Area Support Group, CFB Gagetown, N.B. Hometown: Burlington, Ont.

Master Cpl. Darrell Jason Priede a military photographer and had been in Afghanistan about six weeks when he died. Born in Ontario, he grew up around Grand Forks, B.C. ‘Our son was exemplary … He didn?t have one black mark in the military … He enjoyed what he did because he always wanted to capture as much good as possible,’ his mother Roxanne said.

June 11, 2007: Roadside bomb kills soldier

A Canadian soldier in the lead vehicle of a “combat logistics patrol” died after the vehicle struck a roadside bomb. The convoy was bringing supplies to a base in Khakriz district in the northwestern part of Kandahar province. His family had expected him to call home that day to wish his brother a happy birthday.

Trooper Darryl Caswell, 25

Royal Canadian Dragoons, Petawawa, Ont. Hometown: Bowmanville, Ont.

‘A mother can never prepare for this,’ Caswell’s mother, Darlene Cushman, told her son’s funeral on June 20, 2007. Darryl liked tattoos and had planned to get a small pair of angel’s wings. Darlene said she would get a similar tattoo to honour him.

June 20, 2007: Roadside blast kills three soldiers

Three soldiers travelling in an open-topped, unarmoured Gator ATV die when the vehicle hits an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were shuttling between two checkpoints less than a kilometre apart on a road that had been considered secure. The blast occurred near Sperwan Ghar, in the Panjwaii district southwest of Kandahar City. The military suspended the use of Gators outside secure compounds.

Cpl. Stephen Frederick Bouzane, 26

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Springdale, NL.

Bouzane grew up in Scarborough, Ont. He enlisted in 2003 and had a fianc? in Edmonton, where he was based. He is also survived by his parents and a sister.

Pte. Joel Vincent Wiebe, 22

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta.

Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.

‘Every since he was a little kid, Joel has said ‘I want to be in the army’,’ Anna Thede, Wiebe’s fiance, told reporters on June 22, 2007. He had proposed to her four hours before he shipped out to Afghanistan. He was buried in Edmonton.

Sgt. Christos Karigiannis, 30

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Montreal, Que.

‘It was always Chris’ dream to be part of the Canadian forces, to serve and defend his country. He has a big Canadian flag covering an entire wall in his room. We have always encouraged him to follow his ambitions,’ his brother Spiro told reporters on June 22, 2007. Karigiannis is also survived by his mother Niki and another brother.

July 4, 2007: Roadside bomb kills six soldiers

A roadside bomb kills six Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, as well as an Afghan interpreter, in the Panjwaii district southwest of Kandahar City. The soldiers were travelling in a RG-31 Nyala armoured vehicle with the interpreter when they struck the bomb. The total toll exceeded that of an April 8, 2007 blast that left six dead.

Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe, 27

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Kingston, Ont.

Dawe died on the same day as his son Lucas’s second birthday. He comes from a military family. His father Peter, a retired lieutenant-colonel, told reporters that his son had been frustrated by the guerrilla tactics Canadian troops faced in Kandahar.

Master Cpl. Colin Bason (reservist), 28

Royal Westminster Regiment, New Westminster, B.C. Hometown: Burnaby, B.C.

A seven-year veteran who had served in Bosnia, Bason took a demotion in rank to serve in Afghanistan. Comrades and friends remembered his frantic energy and sense of humour. Bason was in a relationship and had an infant daughter with his girlfriend.

Cpl. Cole Bartsch, 23

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Whitecourt, Alta.

Remembered by his family as a young man who loved the outdoors. An aunt called him ‘the reliable one.’

Pte. Lane Watkins, 20

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Clearwater, Man.

At his July 16, 2007 funeral, one comrade recalled that Watkins loved to hand candy out to Afghan kids while on patrol. His mother Wanda said the poverty in which Afghan children lived appalled Lane.

Cpl. Jordan Anderson, 25

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Iqaluit, Nunavut

Anderson grew up in Inuvik. He is believed to be the first northerner to die in Afghanistan. His widow Amanda accepted a posthumous degree in political science on his behalf from the University of Manitoba. He’d been studying online while serving overseas.

Capt. Jefferson Francis, 37

1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA), Shilo, Man. Home province: New Brunswick

Francis grew up in the Halifax area. Comrades described him as a quiet professional with a dry sense of humour. He left behind a wife, Sylvie, and a son who was only eight months old when his father died.

Aug. 19, 2007: Roadside bomb kills soldier

Quebec’s Royal 22nd Regiment, the Van Doos, suffered its first death in Afghanistan when a soldier died in a roadside bombing about 20 kilometres west of Kandahar City.

Pte Simon Longtin, 23

3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, Valcartier, Que. Hometown: Longueil, Que.

At his funeral, Longtin was described as a courageous, professional soldier. His mother Johanne said in a statement that her son really wanted to serve in Afghanistan.

Aug. 22, 2007: Roadside bomb kills two soldiers

Two Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter died after a roadside bomb struck their LAV-III armoured vehicle in Zhari district about 50 kilometres west of Kandahar City. The blast also injured another soldier, a Radio Canada reporter and his cameraman.

Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier, 43

2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, Valcartier, Que. Hometown: Weedon, Que.

Mercier was known as ‘Papa Bear’ to his troops. After his death, some of them strapped stuffed teddy bears to the front of their LAV armoured personnel carriers to honour his memory. He had also served in the Balkans and Haiti. His is survived by his wife Lucie and three children.

Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne, 34

5th Field Ambulance, Valcartier, Que. Hometown: Montreal

Duschesne, a medic with 14 years of service in the military, was married and the father of three young girls.

Aug. 29, 2007: Soldier found dead of gunshot wound

A Canadian officer was found in his room at International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul suffering from a gunshot wound. He later died. The death was later ruled a suicide.

Major Raymond Ruckpaul, 42

Armoured Corps, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, serving at the NATO coalition headquarters in Kabul. Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.

Those who knew Ruckpaul said suicide would have been completely out of character. He is the highest-ranking officer to die in Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife Natasha and two children.

Sept. 24, 2007: Soldier killed in Taliban mortar attack

A Canadian soldier who had been working to repair the broken tread on a Leopard tank died during a mortar attack by the Taliban. Another soldier was wounded.

Cpl. Nathan Hornburg (reservist), 24

King’s Own Calgary Regiment, Calgary, Alta. Hometown: Calgary

At his Oct. 4, 2007 funeral, the crowd was told of a young man seen as a humorous, supportive, solid soldier. Some of his artwork was on display.

Nov. 17, 2007: Roadside blast kills two soldiers

A roadside bomb killed two Canadian soldiers and their Afghan interpreter. Three other Canadian soldiers were wounded and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The blast occurred in Zhari district about 40 kilometres west of Kandahar City.

Cpl. Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp, 28

5th Field Ambulance, Valcartier, Que. Hometown: Lived in Pont-Rouge, Que.

Beauchamp’s spouse, Cpl. Dolores Crampton is a medical technician who had been based with Beauchamp’s unit in Kandahar. She accompanied her husband’s body home, sprinkling flowers on his casket during the repatriation ceremony. She may be the first Canadian soldier to accompany a spouse’s body home.

Pte. Michel Levesque, 25

3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, Valcartier, Que. Hometown: Riviere-Rouge

His neighbours from his home town recalled Levesque as a ‘very nice little boy.’ He once took the town’s flag to Afghanistan and promised to fly it on the base. When he returned home on leave about two weeks before his death, he showed the mayor photos of the flag flapping in the breeze at Kandahar Airfield.

Dec. 30, 2007: Roadside bomb kills soldier

As they headed back to base looking forward to a New Year’s Eve celebration, their T-LAV armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb. One soldier died and four others were wounded. The blast occurred in Zhari district about 20 kilometres west of Kandahar City.

Gunner Jonathan Dion, 27

5th Regiment d’Artillerie legere du Canada, Valcartier, Que. Hometown: Val D’Or, Que.

After Dion’s funeral on Jan. 12, 2008, a friend, also a military member, described him as a quiet, generous guy who excelled at sports in high school. ‘Jonathan was proud to be a soldier. He loved his work,’ Ronald Marcil, Dion’s uncle, said after the funeral.

2008

Dec. 27, 2008: Two soldiers killed by bomb blast

Two Canadian soldiers died in Afghanistan after a bomb exploded west of Kandahar city. An Afghan policeman and interpreter were also killed in the blast. The violence happened on the same day Defence Minister Peter MacKay wrapped up a trip to meet Canadians serving in the war-torn country.

Warrant Officer Gaeten Joseph Roberge

A member of the Royal 22nd Regiment who was serving with the Irish Regiment of Canada in Sudbury, Ont. He was stationed in Afghanistan to help train the country?s national police force.

Roberge’s commander described him as a man with a good sense of humour who had the respect and admiration of his colleagues.

“His men loved him. He loved his men. You could count on him at any point in time to do anything.”

Sgt. Greg John Kruse

24 Field Squadron, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Petawawa, Ont. He was serving as a member of 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment battle group.

Kruse was known as a quiet, gentle man who loved his family and his job, his commander said.

“He absolutely loved this job. This is what he wanted to do.”

Dec. 26, 2008: Soldier killed by roadside bomb

A soldier was killed and three others were wounded after an improvised explosive device went off in the Zhari District of Kandahar Province. That same day, Canadian Forces reported that a Taliban leader behind the planning and planting of recent IEDs had been killed in a NATO operation.

Private Michael Bruce Freeman

N Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Petawawa, Ontario.

Freeman, 28, was on his first tour of Afghanistan. He was described as dedicated to the mission. An avid golfer, he set up a driving range on a forward operating base and gave candy to children who returned golf balls.

Dec. 12, 2008: 3 soldiers killed on highway outside Kandahar

Three Canadian soldiers are killed after their armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. A fourth soldier was injured in the blast.

They were members of the Quick Reaction Force, or QRF, a team of soldiers that are usually called out to emergency situations. They were responding to a call that a bomb was being planted along the highway that runs from Kandahar city to the border of Helmand province.

Private John Michael Roy Curwin

2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Gagetown, N.B.

Curwin was described as a family man, who had three children and considered his wife, Laura Mae, his best friend.

Corporal Thomas James Hamilton

2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Gagetown, N.B.

Hamilton, or ‘Hammy,’ was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan and had a young daughter, named Annabella. Hamilton had previously served in Haiti.

Private Justin Peter Jones

2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Gagetown, N.B.

Jones, or ‘Jonesy’ as he was called, was originally from Newfoundland and was known for his kindness and his love of the guitar.

Dec. 5, 2008: 3 soldiers killed by an improvised explosive device

Canada’s death toll in Afghanistan has hit 100 with the deaths of three soldiers who were killed by an improvised explosive device. They were travelling in a vehicle in Arghandab district, west of Kandahar city.

Pte. Demetrios Diplaros

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based out of Petawawa, Ont.

Diplaros, 24, was on his first tour in Afghanistan and was ‘an exceptional driver and gunner,’ his commander said. He had a longtime girlfriend.

His father, Jerry Diplaros, also served in the army and said he wanted his son to follow in the family tradition.

Cpl. Mark Robert McLaren

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based out of Petawawa, Ont.

McLaren had served in Afghanistan earlier and was wounded in a 2006 incident. Alan McLaren said his son was engaged to be married, and was a man who died believing strongly in what he was doing.

‘A few weeks ago Mark risked his life crawling towards an Afghan soldier who had been shot in order to provide him first aid under fire,’ his commander said.

Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson

1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based out of Petawawa, Ont.

Known as R.J. to all, Wilson was on his second tour of Afghanistan. His wife, also a soldier, was in Afghanistan as well at the time of his death.

‘He loved his work, and dearly loved his wife and children,’ his commander said. ‘He will be sorely missed by all.’

Sept. 7, 2008: Roadside bomb attack kills infantryman

A roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan killed a soldier with the 2nd battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Seven others were wounded in the attack in Kandahar province’s Panjwaii district.

Sgt. Scott Shipway

2nd battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man. Home: Saskatchewan

Shipway was nearing the end of his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, and had served in the military since 1991. He had previously completed tours of duty in Cyprus, Bosnia, and Kosovo.

‘Scott was a seasoned veteran … a dedicated father and a Saskatchewan Roughriders fan,’ Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson said.

Fellow-soldiers called him ‘Papa Shipway’ and his motto was ‘never let a comrade down.’ His dedication was apparent when he helped save a fellow soldier’s life during a roadside bomb attack in 2006.

Sept. 3, 2008: Three soldiers killed in ambush

Three Canadian soldiers in their early twenties, who had nearly finished their tour of duty, were killed during a fatal ambush in Afghanistan’s volatile Zhari district. Five others were wounded.

Cpl. Andrew Grenon

Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man.

Grenon, 23, was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson described him as an experienced soldier who had a calming effect on his comrades.

‘He brought confidence to those around him and inspired the first-tour guys, making them feel safe,’ said Thompson.

Cpl. Mike Seggie

Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

Seggie, 21, followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle, who had also served with the Princess Patrica?s. Thompson described him as a great communicator, who learned Pashtun phrases to work with local Afghans.

He was also considered to be ‘cool under fire,’ and often joked with his comrades to lighten the mood.

Pte. Chad Horn

Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

Horn, 21, was greatly admired by his peers and was considered one of the best Light Armoured Vehicle gunners — the soldier who has to leave himself open to possible attack by manning the LAV?s large weapon.

Thompson said he had ‘unlimited potential’ and that his ‘ability to act under fire saved many lives during the tour.’

Aug. 20, 2008: Three killed in roadside bomb attack

Three Canadian soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan’s Zhari district, and another soldier was injured in the blast.

Sgt. Shawn Eades

12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, Second Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group.

Eades, a highly trained combat engineer, was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

‘He was a veteran soldier and this was his third tour in Afghanistan,’ said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson. ‘He was a devoted father who liked to share stories of his children with his colleagues and friends.’

Eades, 33, is survived by his wife, Lisa, and two young daughters, seven and four.

Sapper Stephan John Stock

12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment from Edmonton, Alberta and attached to the Second Battalion Princess Patricia?s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group.

Everyone who knew him called him ‘Stock,’ said Spr. Jonathan Allison.

‘I always admired Stock. He was a very competent soldier. He was the kind of guy and the same rank level that I could look to for reassurance. He was just a really solid soldier.’

Allison said, ‘it?s always difficult when?a friend, dies,’ but he is proud of his fellow soldier.

‘When I first heard his name mentioned initially, I was quite shocked. You never really expect it to be someone who you are close to, but after a few minutes once it started sinking in I was very proud that he did that.’

Cpl. Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden

12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment from Edmonton, Alberta and attached to the Second Battalion Princess Patricia?s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group. Cpl. Dustin MacCreedy called Wasden, who he referred to as ?Wozzy,? a ?good guy? and a farm boy from Saskatchewan.

‘I was sad, but proud at the same time because he loved what he did. He was a good soldier and I?m proud of him.’

Aug. 11, 2008: Soldier killed at remote base

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

3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton. Hometown: Kamloops, B.C.

Doyle was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson described him as a ‘big, tough, mountain of a man’ who was a ‘true warrior and just the person you would want beside you in a firefight.’ In 2002, he received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for community service. Doyle is survived by his wife Nicole and daughter Zarine.

Aug. 9, 2008: Soldier killed in firefight in Zhari district

A Saskatchewan-born soldier was fatally shot during a firefight in Afghanistan early Saturday, as Canadian troops fought insurgents in the volatile Zhari district. Civilian security personnel were also in the area.

Master Cpl. Josh Roberts

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Man. Hometown: Saskatoon

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. He leaves behind a fiancee who was expecting their first child.

July 18, 2008: Slain Winnipeg soldier was on 2nd tour

A Canadian soldier died inAfghanistanafter he was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) buried in the ground during a night patrol in the Panjwaii district.

Cpl. James Hayward Arnal, 252nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Man.

Hometown: Winnipeg Arnal died in Afghanistan after he was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) buried in the ground during a night patrol in the Panjwaii district.

Arnal had given up a career in the private sector to join the military four years ago.

July 6, 2008: Explosion kills Canadian medic

A Canadian medic out on foot patrol in Kandahar province’s Panjwaii district died following an explosion.

Pte. Colin William Wilmot

1st Field Ambulance, Edmonton Garrison

The Edmonton-based medic had demanded to go Afghanistan. ‘He was selected to fill a vacancy soon after, because he was motivated, he was skilled, and because he was eager to make a difference in the lives of ordinary Afghans,’ said Brig.-Gen. Dennis Thompson, Canada’s top soldier in Afghanistan. Friends spoke of Wilmot’s sunny disposition and willingness to help others.

July 4, 2008: Military policeman dies in ‘non-combat incident’

A military policeman was found dead in his sleeping quarters in the early morning hours at a Canadian base in the Persian Gulf that is used to provide logistical support for the Afghan mission. The military quickly said the death wasn’t combat-related.

Cpl. Brendan Anthony Downey, 37

Military policeman 17 Wing Detachment, Dundurn

Downey was based in Dundurn, Sask. His family said he was overjoyed to hear of his wife’s recent pregnancy, and that he will be sorely missed by her, their two-year-old son and the rest of his family. They described him as a ‘committed patriot’ who joined the military after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States.

June 7, 2008: Officer dies in freak accident

A captain leading a night patrol in Zhari district died after falling down a well, known locally as a kariz, in a grape field. A rescue team extracted him, but he was pronounced dead at Kandahar Airfield’s military hospital.

Capt. Jonathan Sutherland Snyder

1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton Hometown: Penticton, B.C.

Snyder, who worked with the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT), was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. His superiors praised him for the leadership he showed under fire. He is survived by his father David, mother Anne, a fiance and a brother.

June 3, 2008: Platoon commander dies in firefight

Taliban militants ambushed a joint Canadian-Afghan foot patrol in the Panjwaii district. The platoon commander was shot about 30 minutes into the firefight. He was airlifted to the hospital at Kandahar Airfield, but a doctor there pronounced him dead.

Capt. Richard (Steve) Leary, 32

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man.

Hometown: Brantford, Ont.

Leary was on his first overseas mission. ‘Captain Leary was what we in uniform are expected to be. Captain Leary was a soldier and Captain Leary was a leader,’ Col. Jamie Cade said at a June 3, 2008 news conference. Leary leaves behind his wife Rachel, his parents Richard and Gail and his sister Brandi.

May 6, 2008: Medic dies during Taliban ambush

Taliban militants attacked Canadian soldiers out in the village of Pashmul in Zhari district west of Kandahar City. The Canadians were there on a rapport-building mission. Two soldiers were wounded. One would die of his wounds in hospital.

Cpl. Michael Starker, 36 (reservist)

15 Field Ambulance, Edmonton (Calgary detachment) Hometown: Calgary

In his civilian life, Starker worked as a paramedic in Calgary. However, he had previously been a paratrooper with the Canadian Airborne Regiment. Thousands turned out for his funeral in Calgary. ‘I think he would be laughing his ass off right now saying, ‘I don’t know why you guys are making such a big deal of this,” his sister Carolyn Straub told reporters about her self-effacing brother. Starker also leaves behind his wife Nicole.

April 4, 2008: IED blast kills soldier

A Canadian soldier died in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar City after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

Pte. Terry John Street, 24

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man.

Hometown: Hull, Que.

Outside his April 12, 2008 funeral in Surrey, B.C., friends described as a honourable, dedicated and dependable person. When his body was being shipped home, army Padre Jim Short described Street as described Street as ‘a vibrant, keen, energetic, personable young soldier, a team player born to be an infantryman.’

March 16, 2008: IED kills soldier on foot patrol

A Canadian soldier on foot patrol in the Panjwaii district about 35 kilometres west of Kandahar City stepped on an improvised explosive device, dying in hospital of his injuries. He would be the first Canadian killed on foot patrol in nearly a year.

Sgt. Jason Boyes, 32

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Man.

Hometown: Napanee, Ont.

Boyes was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. ‘His idea was not to give candy to children, but to kill insurgents,’ said Regimental Sgt. Maj. Brian Semenko. ‘We are devastated by this news. Jason loved his job, he loved the military, and his fellow soldiers loved him back. His world was his daughter, Mackenzie, his wife, Alison, his dogs and his family,’ Boyes’ family said in a statement distributed by the military.

March 11, 2008: Soldier found dead in room

A Canadian soldier was found dead in an accommodation room at Kandahar Airfield. Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche told reporters that the death “is not related to combat.”

Bombardier Jeremie Ouellet, 22

1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Shilo, Man. Hometown: Matane, Que.

Ouellet had only recently arrived in Afghanistan. His family released a statement said Ouellet was a ‘a dedicated and professional soldier’ who was ‘serving his country with a lot of honour and pride.’

March 2, 2008: Roadside bomb kills soldier

An armoured vehicle out on a resupply mission in the Mushan region of the Panjwaii district about 45 kilometres west of Kandahar City struck an improvised explosive device. One soldier died.

Trooper Michael Yuki Hayakaze, 25

Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) , Edmonton, Alta. Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.

Hayakaze graduated from high school in 2001, and reportedly foundered a bit before finding a home in the army in 2006. He trained as a driver. His mother Inoue told her son’s March 15, 2008 funeral that he once told her: ‘ ‘It would be lying if I said I was not scared, But I fight with the belief that we are protecting our country, the people and our families doing this.’ These words of Mikey’s resonate in my heart right now.’

Jan. 23, 2008: Roadside bomb kills soldier

A Canadian armoured vehicle was travelling on a rough, unpaved road as part of a road-clearing operation in the Panjwaii district about 35 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City when it struck an improvised explosive device. One soldier died and two others were injured.

Cpl. Etienne Gonthier, 21

5e Regiment du Genie de Combat, Valcartier, Que. Hometown: Quebec City

The combat engineer’s father reportedly didn’t want his son to enlist, fearing something terrible would happen to him. ‘You were my first love, and fate ended it January 23rd at 1:40 pm in Kandahar. You’re forever etched in my heart, and I will never forget you,’ Cinthia Morin, Gonthier’s girlfriend, wrote in an online posting.

Jan. 15, 2008: Roadside bomb kills soldier

A Canadian soldier died when his Coyote reconnaissance vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the Arghandab district about 10 kilometres north of Kandahar City. Another soldier was wounded. They were on a routine “presence patrol.”

Trooper Richard Renaud, 26

12th Regiment, Blinde du Canada, Val Cartier, Que. Hometown: Alma, Que.

Renaud’s wife was pregnant when he died. He also left behind a four-year-old stepson, his parents and a sister. ‘He loved his country. He defended his convictions with vigour. He was proud … and for me, he was a hero,’ Renaud’s father, Jean-Marc, said after the Jan. 6, 2008 funeral in Saguenay, Que.

Jan. 6, 2008: Rollover kills two Canadian soldiers

Two Canadian soldiers die after their armoured vehicle rolled over in rough terrain in Zhari district, about 40 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City. The men were in the turret of their LAV III. The dirt track on which the vehicle was travelling had been made slippery by rain.

Cpl. Eric Labbe, 31

Royal 22nd Regiment, Valcartier, Que.

Hometown: Rimouski, Que.

Labbe had been in the military for six years. He had previously served overseas in the former Yugoslavia. He had reportedly been considering leaving the military when he paid a visit home shortly before he died.

Warrant Officer Hani Massouh, 41

Royal 22nd Regiment, Valcartier, Que. Hometown: Alexandria, Egypt

Massouh had spent 17 years in the military and was the veteran of several overseas missions, including Haiti, Croatia, Somalia and the former Yugoslavia. He had a five-year-old daughter and was weeks away from retirement. With files from The Canadian Press

2009

Dec. 30, 2009: Four soldiers, journalist killed in Kandahar blast

Four Canadian soldiers, all reservists, were killed along with a Canadian journalist in Kandahar City by a powerful insurgent bomb on Dec. 31, 2009. Their deaths marked the second deadly incident for Canada in a week.

Sgt. George Miok

Sgt. George Miok, 28, from Edmonton, was with the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment.

Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard described Miok as a meticulous planner who was ‘always available’ to his troops. ‘The welfare of his soldiers came first and they knew they could turn to him for advice and guidance,’ said Menard.

Cpl. Zachery McCormack

Cpl. Zachery McCormack, 21, of Edmonton was with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment.

He was described as a caring, ‘outstanding soldier’ who was always ready to help his comrades.

Sgt. Kirk Taylor

Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, was from Yarmouth, N.S. and was a member of the 84 Independent Field Battery.

Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard said Taylor was a ‘true gunner’ who was known to his troops as ‘Sgt. Morale.’ He always spoke fondly of his loved ones back home, where he mentored trouble youths.

Pte. Garrett Chidley

Pte. Garrett Chidley, 21, of Cambridge, Ont., was with the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

Known as an avid video game player, Chidley also made ‘tough tasks seem easy by joking around,’ said Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard.

Dec. 24, 2009: Canadian lieutenant killed in IED attack

Andrew Nuttall, a 30-year-old Canadian lieutenant, died when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on foot patrol in the village of Nakhoney, in the volatile Panjwai district of south Afghanistan. He died along with an Afghan army soldier.

Lt. Andrew Nuttall

Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall, 30, was on a routine foot patrol in south Afghanistan when he and an Afghan National Army soldier were killed in an IED attack.

Nuttall, from Prince Rupert, B.C., was praised as a fine young leader — a generous man with a winning smile who believed in what he was doing.

Oct. 30, 2009: Canadian soldier killed in Afghan IED attack

An IED blast has killed a Canadian solider in Afghanistan, the second such death in less than a week.

Sapper Steven Marshall died while on patrol about 10 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City. Marshall was a member of the 1st Combat Engineering Regiment, which is based in Edmonton, Alta.

Sapper Steven Marshall

Sapper Steven Marshall, 24, had only been in Afghanistan for a week before the blast. His death comes just as the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry begin their rotation in the country.

Marshall was described as a popular soldier in his unit who had a great sense of humour and smile that was ‘contagious.’

Oct. 28, 2009: Canadian soldier, 26, killed by IED blast

A 26-year-old Canadian soldier was killed and two others injured in an IED blast, in southern Afghanistan.

The victim was identified as Lt. Justin Garrett Boyes, a member of 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton.

Lt. Justin Garrett Boyes

Lt. Justin Garrett Boyes, a member of 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, was training local Afghan police. He was struck by an IED blast just 10 days into his deployment.

‘So early in the deployment, Justin’s death is going to be difficult to accept by his brothers in arms, but will not deter any of us from continuing with our mission,’ said Brig. Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Task Force Kandahar.

Boyes grew up in Saskatchewan and leaves behind his wife, Alanna, and son, James.

Sept. 17, 2009: Canadian soldier killed in IED strike, 11 injured

Another Canadian soldier has been killed and 11 others injured in an IED strike in Afghanistan.

The victim was identified as Pte. Jonathan Couturier, 23, of 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment, based in Valcartier, Que.

Pte. Jonathan Couturier

Pte. Jonathan Couturier, 23, of 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment, based in Valcartier, Que. Couturier was described as the ‘little brother’ of certain members of his section, a soldier who never lost his sense of humour, even in stressful times. ‘He never missed an occasion to talk about his passions — hockey, his (Ford) Mustang and last but not least the love of his life — Andreanne,’ his commanding officer said.

Sept. 13, 2009: Soldier falls victim to roadside bomb

For the second time in a week, a Canadian soldier has fallen victim to a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan. Four other Canadian soldiers were injured when their armoured vehicle was hit by an IED 13 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.

Pte. Patrick Lormand

Pte. Patrick Lormand, 21, was with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, also known as the Van Doos. Known as ‘Lorm’ to his friends, he was well liked and was credited with raising the morale of his section and his platoon. He is survived by his parents Jacques and Sylvie Lormand.

Sept. 6, 2009: Two soldiers killed in roadside blast

A powerful roadside bomb blast hit an armoured vehicle that was part of a Canadian convoy on a road southwest of Kandahar, killing two soldiers. Five others were also injured but their conditions were not serious.

Maj. Yannick Pepin

Maj. Yannick Pepin, 36. With the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, stationed in Valcartier, Que.Pepin had been in the Canadian Forces for a decade and took great pride in the mission. He leaves behind his partner Annie and two children, Alexandra and Charles.

Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin

Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin, 21, with the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, stationed in Valcartier, Que. He was known as ‘Big Drou’ to his friends and is remembered as somone who liked to make others laugh. He received an accelerated promotion to corporal just before his last mission. Survived by his partner Audrey.

August 1, 2009: Two soldiers killed in IED blast

Two soldiers were killed when their re-supply convoy was struck by two improvised explosive devices in the Zhari district.

Cpl. Christian Bobbitt

Cpl. Christian Bobbitt, 23, was a member of the 5th Combat Engineer Regiment with the 2e Batallion of the Royal 22e Regiment, also known as the Van Doos. He was based in Valcartier, Que. Bobbitt, known as ?Bob? to his friends and fellow soldiers, was known for both his sense of humour and his technical expertise. He is credited with playing an integral role in Task Force Kandahar?s efforts to clear roadways of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He is survived by his spouse, Felicia, his brother, Jonathan, and his parents, Liane and Yvan.

Sapper Matthieu Allard

Sapper Matthieu Allard, 21, was a member of the 5th Combat Engineer Regiment with the 2e Batallion of the Royal 22e Regiment, also known as the Van Doos. He was based in Valcartier, Que. Allard was known as a hard-working soldier and a team leader. ?If you didn?t say stop, he?d always continue working,? said Maj. Yannick Pepin, commander of the 51 Field Engineering squadron. Allard is survived by his parents, Rene and Christine.

July 16, 2009: Soldier killed in fall from cliff

A soldier died during a counterinsurgency mission in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province, when he fell from a high position on a cliff.

Pte. Sebastien Courcy

Pte. Sebastien Courcy, 26, was a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Regiment, also known as the Van Doos. Courcy is survived by his mother, Ginette, and his sister Julie. Courcy was described as a ‘fine soldier’ by his commander Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance. ‘Sebastien gave his life for Canada. Such is the price soldiers must sometimes pay to honour their obligation to their country and to the missions set before them,’ Vance said.

July 6, 2009: Two Canadians killed in helicopter crash

Two Canadian soldiers died when a Griffon helicopter crashed near a U.S. base, 80 kilometres northeast of Kandahar.

Another coalition soldier also died in the incident, and three Canadians injured. Insurgents were not involved in the incident.

 Master Cpl. Pat Audet

Master Cpl. Pat Audet served with the 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, and was based in Valcartier, Que. He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan. Canadian commander Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance said Audet, 38, ?played a valuable role in reducing exposures to (improvised explosive devices), and by providing aviation support to combat operations.? He is survived by his wife Katherine and his parents.

Cpl. Martin Joannette

Cpl. Martin Joannette served with the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, based in Valcartier, Que. The 25-year-old soldier was on his third deployment to Afghanistan. Canadian commander Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance said Joannette ?played a valuable role in reducing exposures to (improvised explosive devices), and by providing aviation support to combat operations.? He is survived by his wife, Marie-Eve.

July 4, 2009: Soldier dies from injuries from IED blast

A Canadian soldier died from injuries sustained in an IED blast several weeks prior.

The incident occurred on June 23 while on foot patrol in the Panjwaii district, southwest of Kandahar city. He died in Quebec City in hospital.

 Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud

Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud was from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier. He was on his second tour of Afghanistan. Col. Jean Marc Lanthier, commander of the 5th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, called Michaud a mentor to other soldiers, as well as a model soldier. He is survived by his wife, parents and brother.

July 3, 2009: Soldier killed, 5 injured in roadside bomb blast

A Canadian soldier travelling in a convoy carrying the senior commander in Kandahar province was killed Friday when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

Five other soldiers were hurt, but Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, who commands coalition forces in Kandahar, escaped injury.

Cpl. Nicholas Bulger

Cpl. Nicholas Bulger, 30, was a member of 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton.Bulger started basic military training in November of 2000 in Saint Jean, Quebec, underwent trades training for the infantry in Wainwright, Alberta, and then in 2001 became the rifleman and armoured vehicle driver for the First Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton. He took a break from the forces and returned in January 2008.He leaves behind a wife and two children.

June 14, 2009: Soldier killed trying to defuse bomb

A Canadian soldier was killed in Afghanistan when one of two roadside bombs he was trying to defuse exploded. The explosion also killed an Afghan police officer and gravely injured a local interpreter.

Cpl. Martin Dube

Cpl. Martin Dube, a combat engineer, was from 5e Regiment du Genie de Combat based at CFB Valcartier near Quebec City. Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance described Dube as someone who enjoyed life and was good at making others laugh. He said Dube, a skilled perfectionist, was ‘one of the best guys to be around.’ Dube is survived by his girlfriend, Julie, his parents, Marie-Paule and Roger and his brother Vincent.

June 8, 2009: Soldier killed on foot patrol

A Canadian soldier on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan was killed by an improvised explosive device in the volatile Panjwaii district.

Pte. Alexandre Peloquin

Pte. Alexandre Peloquin, 20, was known to his friends as ‘Pelo.’ He served with the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City. He is survived by his mother, Monique.

April 23, 2009: Major found dead on military base

Enemy action is ruled out in the death of a soldier found at Kandahar Airfield, who had served at Joint Task Force Kandahar headquarters. Circumstances of death under investigation.

Maj. Michelle Mendes

Maj. Michelle Mendes, who was 30, hailed from a small town near Colborne, Ont. She served in a previous tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2006. At that time she served as a captain with the Ottawa-based 154 Squadron. She had graduated from Kingston’s Royal Military College in 2001 with a history degree. Her mother told a community newspaper in 2006 that her daughter had opted to work in military intelligence.’Her tragic death has left many of us stunned,’ Padre Martine Belanger during her ramp ceremony in Kandahar.

April 13, 2009: Canadian killed, 4 hurt in Afghan blast

A Canadian soldier died and four others were wounded when their armoured vehicle rolled over an improvised explosive device north of Kandahar city on Monday.

Trooper Karine Blais

Blais served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group — the famed Quebec regiment nicknamed the Van Doos — based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City. Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance described Blais as an energetic soldier who gave ‘100 per cent to every challenge she faced.’ Vance said Blais demonstrated qualities of a future leader, adding she had a ‘unique sense of humour’ and that she was respected by all members of her squadron. Blais leaves behind her mother Josee, her grandmother Laurette and her brother, Billy.

March 20, 2009: 4 soldiers killed in 2 separate attacks

Four Canadian soldiers were killed and another eight injured in Afghanistan in two separate improvised explosive attacks.

Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli

Vernelli, 28, served with November Company, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance described him as a ‘superb soldier’ — who junior soldiers looked up to and respected. ‘He was an enthusiastic and dedicated father,’ said Vance. ‘He was a terrific athlete, very funny, and ironically enough, always able to joke at the worst of times.’ Vernelli is survived by his wife and six-month-old daughter.

Cpl. Tyler Crooks

Crooks, 24, served with November Company, 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment. He is remembered as a ‘keen and motivated soldier, and also a great athlete,’ said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance. He had an affinity for dirt-biking and was a ‘Texas-hold’em cardshark.’ ‘He’s remembered by his friends as the kind of guy who will do anything for you without even being asked,’ said Vance. He is survived by his parents, his fianc?e Kelly Maxwell, and his brother Tage Crooks.

Trooper Jack Bouthillier

Bouthillier, 20, served with the Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. His home unit was The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at CFB Petawawa. Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance said Bouthillier enjoyed challenges and was an athlete who practised martial arts. ‘He was a joker who made everyone laugh. His enthusiasm and ardour at work inspired everyone,’ said Vance. He left behind his parents and a companion.

Trooper Corey Hayes

Hayes, 22, was a ‘proud and dedicated soldier who always put his friends and family before himself,’ said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance. ‘His friends remember him not only as a friend and a comrade-in-arms, but a brother who inspired them to stand up in the face of danger, and do what was right.’ Hayes was a member of Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. His home unit was The Royal Canadian Dragoons. He is survived by his parents.

March 8, 2009: Soldier killed by roadside bomb

A Canadian soldier is killed and four others injured when their armoured vehicle strikes a roadside bomb. The group had been patrolling an area northeast of Kandahar city.

Trooper Marc Diab

Diab served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons and was a was a member of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance said he was a passionate soldier who ?loved to make people laugh? and ?never stopped giving.? Diab was also deeply committed to his church, loved playing soccer, and had a close relationship with his family and girlfriend.

March 3, 2009: 3 soldiers killed on patrol in Arghandab District

Three Canadian Forces personnel are killed after an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. Two others were injured in the attack.

Cpl. Dany Olivier Fortin

From 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing Bagotville. Fortin, an ardent supporter of the Montreal Canadiens, was known to his fellow soldiers as ‘Danny-O.’

Warrant Officer Denis Raymond Brown

From the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. Brown was a husband and father of four children. In his civilian life, Brown serves as a police special constable. He was described as cheerful and upbeat, no matter the challenge he was facing.

Cpl. Kenneth Chad O’Quinn

From 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron. O’Quinn, known as ‘Chad’ by his friends, was described as a ‘proud, dedicated soldier who had a bright future ahead of him’ and believed he could accomplish anything in life — a belief shared by those who knew him.

Jan. 31, 2009: One soldier killed by roadside bomb

A Canadian soldier was killed in Afghanistan as he participated in a major operation to locate bomb-making factories in Taliban territory. The soldier was killed at the tail end of the mission when his vehicle was struck by a improvised explosive device.

Sapper Sean Greenfield

Greenfield was a member of 24 Field Engineer Squadron, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment based out of Petawawa, Ont., serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

Greenfield, 25, was described as exceptionally fit and aspired to join JTF2, Canada’s elite and secretive special forces team. His fellow soldiers said he had a great sense of humour and he loved to sing and play guitar.

Jan. 7, 2009: One soldier dead, 3 injured in IED blast

One Canadian soldier was killed and three injured after an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle in Afghanistan’s Shah Wali Kowt district. Col. Jamie Cade, acting commander of Task Force Kandahar, called IEDs a “plague” that is difficult to fight. Over the last month alone, 10 Canadian soldiers have been killed by IEDs.

Trooper Brian Richard Good

Member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons based at CFB Petawawa, Ont., serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment.

Good, 42, is described by fellow soldiers as an easygoing man with a distinctive laugh, and who was active in his community. He was remembered for his devotion to his wife, Sandra, and two daughters.

2010

December 18, 2010: Canadian soldier killed in Kandahar bomb blast

A Canadian soldier was killed when an improvised bomb exploded next to his patrol in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar.

Corporal Steve Martin

Cpl. Steve Martin, 24, of the Royal 22e Regiment, was just two days short of his 25th birthday when he died.

Governor General David Johnston issued a statement offering his deepest sympathies to Cpl. Martin’s loved ones.

‘Cpl. Martin displayed an admirable sense of duty to Canada, bringing great pride to his unit and to the Forces as a whole,’ he wrote.

August 30, 2010: Soldier dies from IED injuries

A corporal died from wounds he sustained in an IED blast on Aug. 22 while on foot patrol in the violent Panjwaii district of Kandahar province.

Cpl. Brian Pinksen

Cpl. Brian Pinksen was a member of 2nd Battalion, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, based in Corner Brook, N.L.

He was serving in Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

‘It is with utmost sorrow that I extend the condolences of all Canadians to the family and friends of Corporal Brian Pinksen, a brave soldier who died due to injuries sustained in Afghanistan,’ said Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

July 20, 2010: Soldier killed by explosive device

Sapper Brian Collier was killed by an IED blast after he dismounted from his vehicle. He was 24 years old.

Sapper Brian Collier

Brian Collier, 24, was a member of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment based at CFB Edmonton. It was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

‘Previously injured in a separate IED strike, Sapper Collier fought hard to overcome his injury in order to get back to doing his job with his comrades,’ said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance.

Born in Toronto and raised in Bradford, Ont., he was serving with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

June 26, 2010: IED claims lives of two Canadian soldiers

Two medical technicians working with a unit that was on its way to deal with a land mine were killed on their travels, about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, when the vehicle they were in detonated an improvised explosive device.

The incident occurred at 11 a.m. local time about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City. Another soldier was injured in the blast.

MCpl. Kristal Giesebrecht

Kristal Giesebrecht, 34, was a medical technician attached to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. She was a member of 1 Canadian Field Hospital, based at CFB Petawawa.

‘Kristal loved life to the fullest. She was a wonderful friend, always opening her heart to everyone in need,’ said Brig.-Gen Jonathan Vance.

Giesebrecht, originally from Wallaceburg, Ontario and who was married, becomes the third Canadian woman to be killed in a combat situation.

Pte. Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller, 21, was a medical technician attached to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. He was a member of 2 Field Ambulance, based at CFB Petawawa,

He was called ‘Caillou’ by his friends.

‘Andrew was very confident in both his soldier and clinical skills. He wanted nothing more than to be part of the Health Services Unit for ROTO 9, in Afghanistan,’ said Brig.-Gen Jonathan Vance.

Miller was born in Sudbury, Ontario

June 21, 2010: Soldier killed on joint foot patrol with ANA

An IED blast claimed the life of a soldier who was on a joint foot patrol with members of the Afghan National Army near the village of Nakhonay. He was killed after dismounting from his armoured vehicle.

Sgt. James Patrick Macneil

From the 2 Combat Engineer Regiment based at CFB Petawawa, MacNeil was serving with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

Brig.-Gen Jonathan Vance said Macneil was on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. He called him a ‘proud Cape Bretoner’ with a great sense of humour who was always ‘the life of the party.’

June 6, 2010: Soldier killed while searching for weapons

A Canadian soldier was killed when he was struck by an improvised explosive device while on a mission to find a stockpile of insurgent weapons southeast of Kandahar.

Sgt. Martin Goudreault

Sgt. Martin Goudreault, 35, was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan when he was killed. A member of the Edmonton-based 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, his latest deployment in the Afghan theatre began only one month ago. He was killed on June 6, 2010 by an improvised explosive device while searching for insurgent weapons southeast of Kandahar.

May 24, 2010: Soldier killed by IED near Kandahar city

A Canadian soldier has been killed by an improvised explosive device, while on a combat resupply patrol southwest of Kandahar city.

Trooper Larry Rudd

Trooper Larry Rudd, 26, was killed while on a combat resupply patrol southwest of Kandahar city. He was from the Royal Canadian Dragoons and served with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ont.

‘Larry was a go-to soldier who always put the needs of his family, his friends and his fellow soldiers before those of his own,’ said Col. Simon Hetherington, deputy commander of Task Force Kandahar.

May 18, 2010: Suicide car bomber kills Canadian officer

A Canadian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan after a suicide car bomber detonated an explosive device in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing 18 people in total.

Col. Geoff Parker

Col. Geoff Parker, of Oakville, Ont. was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan on May 18, 2010 when a suicide car bomber detonated his explosive device. The highest-ranking member of the Canadian Forces to be killed in Afghanistan, Parker was the commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. Parker was married with two children.

May 14, 2010: IED blast kills Canadian soldier

A Canadian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan after an improvised explosive device detonated about 15 kilometres west of Kandahar City while he was on foot patrol.

Pte. Kevin McKay

Pte. Kevin McKay, 24, of Richmond Hill, Ont., was killed when an IED exploded while he was on foot patrol near Kandahar City.

Known to his friends as ‘Mickey,’ he was remembered as a generous, dependable, quick-witted young man who embodied the spirit of the Canadian soldier.

May 5, 2010: Canadian soldier killed in IED explosion southwest of Kandahar City

A Canadian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan after an improvised explosive device detonated 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.

Petty Officer (second class) Craig Blake

Craig Blake, 37, was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.

A native of Simcoe, Ont., he was a member of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), based in Shearwater, N.S. and was trained in improvised explosive device disposal.

Blake leaves behind a wife and two young children.

April 11, 2010: Canadian soldier killed in IED explosion

A Canadian soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.

Pte. Tyler William Todd

Pte. Tyler William Todd, 26, of Kitchener, Ont., died near the community of Belanday, about eight kilometres outside the provincial capital.

Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard said Todd was a pillar of strength to the other young soldiers he served with. ‘He never allowed the small things to get to him and was often the rock upon which his comrades depended,’ Menard said. ‘His enthusiasm and strong will was an inspiration to his platoon.’

March 22, 2010: Canadian soldier dies of wounds after Afghan attack

A Canadian soldier died in an Edmonton hospital as a result of injuries sustained Mar. 6 during a foot patrol in Zhari District, west of Kandahar city, when an improvised explosive device blew up near his patrol.

Cpl. Darren James Fitzpatrick

Cpl. Darren James Fitzpatrick, 21, of Prince George, B.C., was on his first tour in Afghanistan, serving with the Operational Mentor Liaison Team.

He was treated in Kandahar, transferred to Germany and to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton. He passed away surrounded by his family.

Feb. 12, 2010: Soldier killed during weapons training

A Canadian soldier was killed during a routine weapons training accident northeast of Kandahar City. Four other soldiers were injured in the incident.

Cpl. Joshua Caleb Baker

Cpl. Joshua Caleb Baker, 24, was known for a laugh that ‘would find your ears and bring a smile to your face,’ according to Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard.

Baker was serving in Afghanistan as a member of The Loyal Regiment from Edmonton, as well as with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team

Feb. 10, 2010: Soldier dies while on leave from Afghan mission

The Defence Department says a soldier who died at home of natural causes while on leave from Afghanistan will be formally listed as an Afghan casualty.

Capt. Frank Paul

Following his death, Capt. Frank Paul was awarded the sacrifice medal and his name was added to the seventh book of remembrance.

His family was also presented with the Memorial Cross.

Jan. 16, 2010: Canadian sergeant killed on foot patrol

A Canadian soldier was killed on foot patrol, near the village of Nakhoney, southwest of Kandahar city, by a buried bomb. No one else was injured in the explosion.

Sgt. John Wayne Faught

Sgt. John Wayne Faught, 44, was a seasoned section commander, who was respectfully known as ‘Toast’ because of his hard and crusty personality.

A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., he planned to retire in two years. He was on his third tour in Afghanistan.

2011

October 29, 2011: Soldier dies in Kabul suicide attack

Master Corporal Byron Greff, who was based in Edmonton with the reconnaissance platoon of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died when the Rhino he was travelling in was rammed by an explosives-packed car. Four other NATO soldiers, 8 civilian contractors and 4 Afghan civilians were also killed.

Master Cpl. Byron Greff

Master Cpl. Byron Greff, who was on his second tour of Afghanistan, was described by a senior officer as an ‘extremely fit’ soldier who loved hunting and playing hockey in his free time.

June 25, 2011: Soldier dies in non-combat incident in Afghanistan

Master Cpl. Francis Roy, who served with the country’s special forces regiment, was discovered by fellow soldiers early Saturday at a forward operating base in Kandahar city. He died of non-combat injuries in Afghanistan, the military said.

Master Cpl. Francis Roy

Originally from Rimouski, Que., Roy was on his first overseas deployment with the country’s special forces regiment.

May 28, 2011: Soldier dies in non-combat incident in Afghanistan

Bombardier Karl Manning, 31, died in what the military describes as a “non-hostile” “non-accident” incident. Manning, a native of Chicoutimi, Que., was an artillery soldier and radar operator, who spent the better part of a nearly completed tour at a remote base amid the desolate hard scrub villages of western Panjwaii.

Bombardier Karl Manning

Bombardier Karl Manning died in what the military describes as a ‘non-hostile’ ‘non-accident’ incident.

Manning, a native of Chicoutimi, Que., was an artillery soldier and radar operator, who spent the better part of a nearly completed tour at a remote base amid the desolate hard scrub villages of western Panjwaii.

March 27, 2011: Canadian soldier killed in IED blast on foot patrol

Cpl. Yannick Scherrer, a 24-year-old Montreal native, was killed by a roadside bomb while on a foot patrol in the Panjwaii district.

Cpl. Yannick Scherrer

Cpl. Yannick Scherrer, 24, was killed by an improvised explosive device near Nakhonay, southwest of Kandahar city, while on a foot patrol.

Scherrer was from Montreal and was on his first tour in Afghanistan

http://www.afghanistanacanadianstory.ca/whats-new/casualties/

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Afghan Mission Timelines News

Canada has had a military presence in Afghanistan since shortly after the events of September 11, 2001. It is difficult, sometimes, to keep track of where and when we were and what we were doing. I have borrowed from published news timelines to help provide some perspective on the unfolding of events relevant to the Canadian Afghan Mission since 2001. I ask that if you were there, have human insights that can be added to the “news” perspective, please either upload your submissions at this sight or send them along to consult@mywrdwrx.com
Many thanks.
Melanie
__________________________________________________
2001 – Borrowed from the National Post http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2001/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2001, 9/11, Hamid Karzai, Jean Chretien, NATO, Northern Alliance, Operation Apollo, Osama bin Laden, United States

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001.
Sept. 11 Two jetliners crash into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and a third plane flies into the Pentagon in Virginia. Canada responds to the attacks that killed more than 3,000 people, by launching “Operation Support,” an initiative that reroutes civilian aircraft to Canadian airports, makes Canadian intelligence available to the U.S., and makes military and humanitarian preparations in case of another attack.
The next day, the NATO North Atlantic Council determines that the events of 9/11 constitute an armed attack against all parties of the North Atlantic Treaty, and decides that the United States and its allies have the right to respond with the use of armed force.
Sept. 20 U.S. President George W. Bush, announces the “War on Terror”, reiterating that Osama bin Laden is the suspected mastermind behind the attacks. Canadian Minister of National Defence, Art Eggleton, says that the more than 100 Canadian Forces members serving in exchange postings abroad have been authorized to participate in operations in response to the attacks.
National Post in Afghanistan: In Peshawar, Pakistan, the Post’s Patrick Graham talks to a former ally of bin Laden’s about the terrorist leader’s countless caves.
Sept. 28 National Post in Afghanistan: Shortly before crossing into Afghanistan, National Post foreign correspondent Patrick Graham filed this report from Mach Mountain, Pakistan, a route long favoured by arms smugglers. On his journey he meets “the Prince,” a high-altitude weapons impresario who laughs at death.

Eric Draper/White House/Handout

Oct. 2 President Bush launches “Operation Enduring Freedom,” a UN-sanctioned coalition against the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Three days later, he asks Canada to join the multinational military coalition when he meets with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
Oct. 7 The U.S. and Britain launch an air assault on Afghanistan which the Taliban refers to as an “attack on Islam.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Chrétien announces “Operation Apollo,” officially pledging air, sea and land support for the international campaign against terror. “I have made clear in the days since Sept. 11 that the struggle to defeat the forces of terrorism will be a long one. We must remain strong and vigilant,” Mr. Chrétien said. “I cannot promise that the campaign against terrorism will be painless, but I can promise that it will be won.”
The next day, Defence Minister Art Eggleton commits 2,000 members of the Canadian Forces to “Operation Apollo,” which is set to conclude in two years. Certain elements of Joint Task Force Two – the Special Operations Forces unit tasked with a broad range of missions including counter-terrorism operations – deploy for an initial six months, but this is not revealed at the time.
National Post editorial board: Once again, Canadian soldiers, sailors and pilots will be marching as to war, as Pierre Berton, the popular Canadian historian, puts it in the title of his most recent book.
Oct. 22 National Post in Afghanistan: Caught between the Taliban and mountains, displaced Afghans have nowhere to go. Patrick Graham reports from Aabpar.
Nov. 12 The Taliban government in Kabul falls to the Northern Alliance.
Nov. 15 Mr. Eggleton announces that Canadian ground troops will be in Afghanistan for a maximum of six months.
“If we had to rotate [troops] for years, then that would become a problem. But we are not planning on that being a requirement,” Mr. Eggleton said. “It is not an offensive mission, not a front-line mission. This is a stabilization mission to assist in opening corridors for humanitarian assistance.”
Nov. 23 National Post editorial board: Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s admission that Canadian ground troops will not be sent to Afghanistan if their deployment entails fighting casts serious doubt — to put it at its mildest — about his government’s commitment to waging liberal democracy’s war against terrorism.

Reuters/Files

Nov. 27 – Dec. 5 At the Bonn Conference, Germany, participants in the UN talks on Afghanistan establish the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to “assist the Afghan government in the establishment of a secure and stable government.” As well, Afghan opposition leaders set up the Afghan Transitional Authority and choose Hamid Karzai as the interim leader.
Dec. 9 Osama bin Laden evades capture after a standoff with coalition forces in the Afghan mountains and a series of aerial attacks executed by the U.S. in the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan.
Dec. 22 National Post editorial board: If Canada is not asked to provide anything in Afghanistan, it is likely because Ottawa has warned the UN or the British not to ask.

This entry was posted on  Monday, January 1st, 2001, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2001, 9/11, Hamid Karzai, Jean Chretien, NATO, Northern Alliance, Operation Apollo, Osama bin Laden, United States

Sun. Oct. 7 2001 4:32 PM ET

Prime Minister Jean Chretien has ordered the military on full alert and offered the United States “certain commitments” following the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan Sunday. The following is a transcript of his televised speech to Canadians:
On Sept. 11, 2001, Canada and the world looked on in shock and disbelief as the deadliest terrorist attack in history was carried out against thousands of defenceless victims in New York and Washington.
This was an act of premeditated murder on a massive scale with no possible justification or explanation — an attack not just on our closest friend and partner, the United States, but against the values and the way of life of all free and civilized people around the world.
From the moment of the attack, I have been in close communication with President George Bush who has been a symbol to the world of calm, courage, resolve and wisdom. I told him that Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with him and the American people. We are part of an unprecedented coalition of nations that has come together to fight the threat of terrorism. A coalition that will act on a broad front that includes military humanitarian, diplomatic, financial, legislative and domestic security initiatives.
I have made it clear from the very beginning that Canada would be part of this coalition every step of the way.
On Friday evening, the United States asked Canada to make certain contributions as part of an international military coalition against international terrorism.
I immediately instructed our minister of national defence to agree. Yesterday, I met with the chief of the national defence staff to confirm the type of role that Canada was being asked to play. And shortly before noon today, I confirmed to President Bush in a telephone conversation that we would provide the military support requested.
Just after noon, I instructed the chief of defence staff to issue a warning order to a number of units of our Armed Forces to ensure their readiness.
All Canadians understand what is being asked of the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families. As always, they are ready to serve. As always, they will do Canada proud. I have spoken as well to the leaders of opposition parties. They pledged their co-operation and I thank them for it.
While I obviously will not be able to provide the Canadian people with operational information that could endanger lives, I intend to offer regular updates on our objectives and efforts. I will meet with my cabinet this week and a take-note debate will be held in Parliament on Monday of next week.
We will also be introducing a series of programs and legislative steps to deal with the threat of terrorism.
I would like to thank all the Canadians who have worked around the clock to come to the aid of our American friends in their time of need. I have made clear in the days since Sept. 11 that the struggle to defeat the forces of terrorism will be a long one. We must remain strong and vigilant. We must insist on living on our terms, according to our values not on terms dictated from the shadows.
I cannot promise that the campaign against terrorism will be painless, but I can promise that it will be won.
Thank you.

Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20011007/ctvnews814727/#ixzz1kFVZGto9
Tue. Oct. 9 2001 8:59 AM ET

Defence Minister Art Eggleton said Monday that Canada is sending warships, planes, and special forces troops to join in the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan. The mission is dubbed Operation Apollo.
“Canadian Forces will become an integral part of the overall campaign,” Eggleton told a news conference.
“This campaign will be unlike any campaign we’ve engaged in before,” he said. “Every role in this campaign is significant. Every country determined to halt terror can make an important difference.”
Eggleton said the operation will involve six naval ships, six air force planes, special forces soldiers, and more than 2,000 Canadian troops.
The deployment is currently set to last six months, but that period could be extended if the anti-terror campaign lasts longer, Chief of National Defence Staff General Ray Henault said.
In the next few days, Canadian forces will begin to be deployed, a process that will continue over the coming weeks, Eggleton said.
Canada’s special forces anti-terrorist squad, Joint Task Force 2, has been requested and will be deployed.
Canada will send two frigates, a destroyer and a supply ship along with Sea King helicopters .
Additionally, Eggleton said, six air force planes — three C-130 Hercules transport planes, one airbus and two Aurora maritime patrol planes — are to be sent to the Middle East to support the campaign with surveillance and airlift support.
“Support will also include providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people who have suffered for too long from oppression and want,” Eggleton said.
CFB Trenton is to supply the air component of Canada’s contribution.
Eggleton stressed that the coalition forming to fight terrorism will do battle on numerous fronts and that the government would keep Canadians informed.
“The coalition of nations that has come together to fight the threat of terrorism will act on a broad front. It includes not only military but humanitarian, financial, legislative, diplomatic, and domestic security initiative,” he said.
“We will be providing the Canadian people with regular updates as to our participation and objectives,” Eggleton said.
Eggleton also said that Canada had already responded to U.S. requests for military assistance, providing additional CF-18 fighter jets for increased NORAD vigilance and hundreds of personnel for intelligence gathering and surveillance.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Jean Chretien ordered the military on full alert and offered the United States “certain commitments” following the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan.
An unspecified number of military bases across Canada were put on high alert and troops were ordered to be ready to deploy.
Canada has already dispatched the HMCS Halifax to the Persian Gulf, a 4,750-tonne frigate with a crew of 220, where it will likely join a U.S. carrier group.
The HMCS Vancouver will also be deployed and integrated into a U.S. carrier battle group.
Chretien spoke with U.S President George Bush shortly before noon Sunday and pledged Canada’s military support as the U.S. and British forces launched an initial wave of air strikes against Taliban-held territory in Afghanistan.
He said Bush requested on Friday that Canada take part in a “multi-national military coalition” against terrorism.
“Shortly before noon today, I confirmed to President Bush in a telephone conversation that we will provide the military support requested,” Chretien said in a televised speech.
“All Canadians understand what is being asked of the men and women of our armed forces and their families,” Chretien said. “As always, they are ready to serve. As always, they will do Canada proud.”

Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20011009/ctvnews814871/#ixzz1kFW9xl00
Wed. Dec. 19 2001 8:50 PM ET

About 40 members of Canada’s elite anti-terrorist group, Joint Task Force 2, are on the ground near Kandahar, Defence Minister Art Eggleton said Wednesday.
In an interview with CTV Newsnet, Eggleton said the troops are assisting U.S., British and Australian special forces as well as local Afghan fighters around Kandahar.
The ultra-secretive unit was deployed in early December, but their exact location had never been disclosed until now. Eggleton would not give any details of the unit’s operations, including whether they have seen any action.
“Reconnaissance is part of what they do, but I can’t go into the whole menu of possibilities because they are assault troops or commandos, they do operate in a covert fashion,” Eggleton said by phone from Brussels, where he was attending NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) meetings.
Kandahar was one of the last Taliban-held cities to fall to opposition fighters. The Kandahar airport is currently under the control of 1,500 U.S. Marines, which have prepared the airfield for military use and set up a camp for 300 Afghan prisoners of war.
JTF-2 is an elite unit based in Dwyer Hill, Ont. near Ottawa. It was created in the early 1990s after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police handed its counterterrorism duties off to the military.
The unit shuns publicity and little is known about the members of JTF-2 except that they’re required to be in top condition and subjected to a series of physical and mental tests.
Originally, the unit specialized in domestic hostage-rescue missions, but in recent years its role has expanded to include special operations and unconventional warfare.
Britain to lead peacekeeping efforts
The assault troops are separate from the peacekeeping forces that Canada has promised to send into Afghanistan soon.
Britain has pledged to lead the international peacekeeping force, while the new interim government takes power. Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain and Canada have all offered troops for the contingent.
Prime Minister Jean Chretien has said that fewer than 1,000 Canadian peacekeepers will be sent in.
British defence officials said Wednesday the lead elements of British troops, comprising 100-200 soldiers, would be in Kabul by Saturday, when the new interim Afghan government takes power. However, the full international force will not be fully in place for at least a month.
Afghanistan’s interim Prime Minister Hamid Karzai and other members of his post-Taliban government agreed to a multinational peacekeepers force of between 3,000 to 5,000 at UN-sponsored talks in Bonn, Germany earlier this month.
The UN Security Council has yet to formally ratify a resolution permitting an Afghan peacekeeping force but is expected to adopt the resolution by Dec. 22.
Britain told the UN on Wednesday it would only lead a multinational force in Afghanistan for a few months and in the case of a conflict with the U.S. military, the Americans would be in charge.

Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20011007/ctvnews814727/#ixzz1kFVZGto9

2002 – Borrowed from the National Post

http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2002/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2002, Omar Khadr, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001. Up next: 2002. Jan. 17 Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defence, tells the House of Commons that Canadian troops will hand over any enemy fighters they capture to the Americans. “We do not have detention facilities and our intent would be to turn them over,” Mr. Eggleton said. “I have no reason to believe that they have not been treated fairly, but it is up to the International Red Cross to determine that.”
Jan. 25 Canada formalizes its support for the Afghan interim government by resuming diplomatic ties with Afghanistan for the first time since they were severed following the Soviet Union invasion in 1979.
Jan. 30 Mr. Eggleton admits that he was informed on Jan. 21 that the secret Joint Task Force 2 unit had captured at least three enemy fighters in Afghanistan and turned them over to the U.S. military as part of a classified mission carried out that day. He told Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and the Cabinet about the mission Jan. 29.
Feb. 2 One hundred and forty Canadian Forces soldiers arrive in Kandahar to carry out a six-month mission assigned by the National Defence Headquarters. The mission is comprised of four tasks – airfield security, sensitive site exploitation, humanitarian aid, and combat operations that contribute to “Operation Enduring Freedom.”
March 2 Canada contributes to the U.S.-led two-week assault on al-Qaeda positions in the mountains along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The U.S. forces commend Canadian snipers for their contribution to “Operation Anaconda.” “They knew when to shoot and when not to shoot,” said U.S. Army Sergeant-Major Mark Neilsen of the 101st Airborne Division, in May. “God Almighty, those guys showed our guys. What a team!” The United States declares the operation an “unqualified and absolute success,” but in Canada, a controversy follows concerning conflicting body count reports.
March 28 The United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) is established to “assist the (government) and the people of Afghanistan in laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development.”
April 18 The United States Air Force mistakenly bombs a Canadian Forces night training exercise, killing four soldiers and wounding eight. They are the first Canadian casualties.
National Post in Afghanistan: The soldiers of A Company, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, had less than a second’s warning before a 500-pound bomb from a U.S. fighter burst among them, leaving four dead and eight wounded.
April 23 National Post in Afghanistan: The United States wants to give two teams of Canadian snipers the Bronze Star, a decoration for bravery, for their work in rooting out Taliban and al-Qaeda holdouts in eastern Afghanistan, but Canadian defence officials put the medals on hold, the National Post has learned.
May 4 Four hundred Canadians participate in “Operation Torii” aimed at finding Taliban and al-Qaeda in the cave complexes in the Tora Bora region. During the three day assault, soldiers destroy the complexes to prevent future use. The mission is considered a success, in large part due to Canadian efforts.
May 7 The Post’s Matthew Fisher in Kandahar: The tragedy that befell a dozen soldiers of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in the Afghan desert in the wee hours of April 18 was a stark confirmation that battling terrorism is a complicated, perilous, unpredictable business.
May 21 Canada announces that all 750 ground troops will be withdrawn by August, but air, sea and Special Operations Forces will remain.
May 23 National Post editorial board: Tuesday’s decision by the Liberal government to withdraw most of Canada’s troops from Afghanistan by August is a national disgrace. It betrays our allies during a time of war — especially the Americans, who asked us to keep troops in-country six months longer.
June 11 Zahir Shah, former King of Afghanistan, returns from exile to assemble an Afghan tribal council (Loya Jirga) that two days later, establishes the “Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan,” electing Hamid Karzai as President and head of the Afghan Transitional Authority.

Paul J. Richards/AFP

July U.S. forces capture a 15-year-old Canadian, Omar Khadr, near Khost, Afghanistan and accuse him of killing a U.S. medic with a grenade. Canadian Foreign Affairs officials are notified of the arrest Aug. 20. He arrives at the Guantanamo Bay prison complex in Cuba in October.
July 1 Operating under “Operation Cherokee Sky,” a Canadian-run effort, about 850 Canadian soldiers sweep Zabul province, a region along the Pakistani border.
July 13-17 Four suspected al-Qaeda members are apprehended by HMCS Algonquin, with the help of Canadian Forces marine patrol aircraft and a French warship.
July 28-30 The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group return to Edmonton.
November “Operation Enduring Freedom” establishes Provincial Reconstruction Teams, tasked with working to support reconstruction efforts and empowering local governments.
Fallen soldiers: Private Nathan Smith, 26; Private Richard Green, 21; Corporal Ainsworth Dyer, 24; Sergeant Marc D. Leger, 29; all of the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died April 18, 2002 in a “friendly fire” incident.

This entry was posted on  Tuesday, January 1st, 2002, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2002, Omar Khadr, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

April 19, 2002 – They didn’t see it coming: Canadian soldiers killed by U.S. bomb
By Chris Wattie, with files from Michael Smith April 19, 2002
The soldiers of A Company, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, had less than a second’s warning before a 500-pound bomb from a U.S. fighter burst among them, leaving four dead and eight wounded.
They would have paid little attention to the sound of the jets flying far overhead, focusing instead on their training mission, and one military expert says it is almost impossible to hear an attacking aircraft on a bombing run.
“They wouldn’t have known a thing was wrong until the weapon exploded,” says Sean Maloney, a professor at Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. “They might’ve heard the whoosh of the bomb through the air a second before it hit, pushing the air ahead of it as it fell, but that would be it.”
Dr. Maloney says at the speeds modern jets attack, their targets usually neither see nor hear them until after they have passed overhead once their bombs are dropped.
The incident began sometime late Wednesday afternoon, when the nearly 150 officers and men of A Company gathered in small groups in the lines of tents that make up the Canadian sector of the allied base near Kandahar.
The young soldiers of the elite parachute company would have been briefed about the evening’s training mission: a live-firing exercise to practise tactics for coming combat missions against Taliban or al-Qaeda fighters.
Live-firing exercises were routine for the Canadian troops at Kandahar and Dr. Maloney says the commanders would have gone over the battalion’s last mission – a combat sweep of a mountain ridge held by al-Qaeda holdouts in eastern Afghanistan – looking for ways to improve their unit’s performance.
“This is part of the learning curve on a deployment like this…. They’re boning up on the terrain; boning up on the tactics – everything they can think of.”
The members of A Company were some of the toughest soldiers in the Canadian battalion group. Their ranks included some of the most-seasoned veterans in the Canadian military, including some former members of the disbanded Canadian Airborne Regiment.
“Paratroopers are a special breed of soldiers and these young men were among the finest, bravest paratroops I have ever soldiered with,” Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Stogran, commander of the Canadian battle group, said yesterday.
The maps the NCOs and officers were looking over would have been familiar, showing the area about seven kilometres south of their base at Kandahar’s airport where U.S. and allied forces have been conducting training for months.
The Tarnac Puhl site is a large, mud-walled compound with small hills and the remains of low huts. The area, a former al-Qaeda base, was largely destroyed by U.S. bombing during the war with the former Taliban regime. But since the fall of the Taliban, it has been used by hundreds of coalition troops to maintain their battle readiness in live-fire exercises (using live ammunition).
Sometime after darkness fell, the men of A Company headed to the range. “They would’ve gone over everything they were going to do, then got their kit together and humped out to the site,” Dr. Maloney says.
During live-fire exercises, troops mount a mock assault, charging towards an objective under covering fire. Live ammunition is used to make the training as realistic as possible, and grenades and other explosives are frequently set off.
Dr. Maloney says it is necessary to train with live ammunition from time to time in order to make the troops familiar with conditions as close as possible to actual combat.
“It’s a confidence-building exercise,” he says. “It’s been a while since we’ve done operations like this [deployment to Afghanistan].”
The soldiers of A Company were likely moving in a spread-out formation called “pepper-pot” when the incident occurred, in which alternating groups of men move forward while the rest provide covering fire with rifles or light machine-guns.
“They were probably on the move, rather than in defensive positions,” Dr. Maloney says. “Because if they’d been sitting still, there would’ve been a lot more casualties.”
As the troops charged towards their objective, flashes from their weapons’ muzzles, grenade explosions and tracer rounds – machine-gun bullets that leave a glowing red line through the air – would have been lighting up the Afghan sky. Unbeknownst to the Canadians, that caught someone’s attention high overhead.
U.S. military officials say two F-16 fighter-bombers were on patrol over the Kandahar base that night as part of its defences. The jets circle overhead almost constantly on close air support duty: ready to be called down to bomb any force that attacks the base.
The two F-16s were flown by U.S. Air National Guard pilots, the Pentagon said. Such pilots are often retired veterans called up from civilian jobs for wartime duty.
While the warplanes were flying at altitude, one of the pilots looked through his cockpit canopy and saw what he thought were muzzle flashes from fire directed at him.
The pilot of the lead jet called his tactical air controller – like a military air traffic controller – on the ground in the Kandahar base and requested permission to attack the source of the fire.
The controller denied the aircraft permission to bomb, but when the jets circled back, they again reported muzzle flashes and tracers. The ground controller then gave permission for the F-16s to “paint” or mark the target with a laser target designator mounted on the jet, used to guide its laser-aimed bombs on to targets.
“When they went back to mark the target, they reported taking fire again and the wingman of the two fighters decided that in self-defence he should drop, and he dropped one 500-pound bomb,” said one unidentified U.S. military official. “Unfortunately, what was below them was a Canadian live-fire exercise.”
The high-pitched scream of the jet fighter was audible even at the base and soldiers also reported hearing the characteristic “whump” when the bomb hit at 1:55 a.m. local time.
Some soldiers who witnessed the aftermath of the accident speculated the U.S. warplane dropped an “air-burst” bomb – one that explodes in the air over a target – because there was no crater at the site, only scorched earth.
The Canadians had declared the training area and the airspace above it a restricted “no fly” zone, of which the military air controller was supposed to have been notified.
And Canadian Forces officials insist that at no time had the soldiers of A Company been firing into the air.
Some military experts speculated the pilot might have been fooled by the darkness or by tracer rounds ricocheting skyward after hitting a target on the ground, but all U.S. and Canadian officials will say is the investigation is underway.
Reports quickly flooded into the base and within an hour the area was a beehive of activity in response to the emergency. Rescue teams rushed to retrieve the dead and wounded, and Canadian and U.S. surgeons at base hospitals operated on casualties through the night.
By daybreak, clusters of Canadian soldiers gathered at a bulletin board outside the public affairs office. Many appeared shocked by what they read from a statement about the deaths and injuries suffered by their comrades.
The mood was evident in the solemn movement of the troops on the base. Some talked quietly in small groups. One soldier was slumped in a chair, weeping. Others expressed anger, wanting to know how the accident happened.
Lt.-Col. Stogran said the survivors — those who were not physically wounded in the incident — were “shaken-up and angry.”
“They’re confused,” he said. “There are all sorts of emotions they’re going to have to spend the next 10 years sorting out.”
This entry was posted on Friday, April 19th, 2002, Posted In: National Post in Afghanistan | Post tags: 2002, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
2003 – Borrowed from the National Post
http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2003/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2003, Omar Khadr, Operation Apollo, Saddam Hussein

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001. Feb. 12 At a NATO meeting in Brussels, Defence Minister John McCallum announces a Canadian contribution of 1,900 troops to the UN-mandated security force mission in Kabul, for a period of one year, beginning July 2003. The Canadian Forces agenda is described as a “3-D approach,” providing defence, development and diplomacy in Afghanistan. Canadian generals and military observers say the decision to send so many troops to Afghanistan means Canada will be unable to contribute a meaningful ground force to a war in Iraq, but Mr. Callum says nothing has been ruled out.
March 14 A platoon of the first battalion of The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry deploys to the Arabian Gulf to provide local security for Canadian Forces operating under “Operation Apollo.”
March 20 U.S. President George W. Bush launches “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” with an early morning air strike on Baghdad, less than two hours after the 48-hour deadline for Saddam Hussein to leave the country passes. The invasion of Iraq is ordered on the grounds that Mr. Hussein was working with al-Qaeda and developing weapons of mass destruction.
May 14 Following the termination of “Operation Apollo,” the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces announces a Battle Group comprised of 2,000 personnel who will maintain Canada’s presence in Afghanistan under a NATO-led security force. A Theatre Activation Team leaves for Kabul to begin setting up camp for “Operation Athena,”
July 3 Diplomat Christopher Alexander is appointed ambassador to Afghanistan.
July 5 Foreign Minister Bill Graham opens a Canadian Embassy in Kabul.
July 17 “Operation Athena,” Canada’s contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), begins and Canadian Brigadier-General Peter Devlin becomes commander of ISAF’s Kabul Multi-National Brigade.
Aug. 16 National Post in Afghanistan: In the unpredictable Paghman district, children swarmed to the sides of the roads as the Canadians rumbled past, waving cheerily, shouting a jumbled “Howareyou?” — the only English they know — or giving the troops a thumbs-up.
Aug. 22 National Post in Afghanistan: National Post reporter Chris Wattie, embedded with Canadian soldiers in Kabul, joins the troops on a patrol of the city for the international security force.
Aug. 11 NATO assumes leadership of ISAF and its mandate is extended to cover all of Afghanistan. Canadian Forces’ Major-General Andrew Leslie appointed Commander for Task Force Kabul and Deputy Commander of ISAF.
Sept. 9 National Post in Afghanistan: Sitting in their unlit house, behind six-metre-high mud brick walls in the heart of a village so hostile to outsiders even heavily armed international troops rarely venture down its narrow roads and lanes, the al-Qaeda militants must have felt safe.
Sept. 11 A Canadian civilian support worker is injured in a rocket attack on Camp Warehouse and Kabul International Airport.
Oct. 2 Ahmed Said Khadr, Omar Khadr’s father and an Egyptian-Canadian member of al-Qaeda, is killed in South Waziristan. His other son, Kareem Khadr, is injured and subsequently returns to Canada. Two Canadian Forces personnel are killed and three injured when their vehicle hits a roadside bomb outside Kabul.
Oct. 4 National Post editorial board: This deployment remains an important part of the battle to rid the world of the terrorists who seek to destroy freedom and undermine the Western way of life. Without Canadian soldiers in Kabul, the 22-year-long Afghan civil war, on hold (mostly) since 2001, would be more likely to resume.
Oct. 18 Prime minister Jean Chrétien becomes the first ever Canadian prime minister to visit Kabul. He meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Lakhdar Brahmi, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative.
Dec. 12 The Canadian Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team uncovers the largest weapons cache found to date in the Chahar Asiab area of Kabul.
Fallen soldiers: Sergeant Robert Alan Short, 41 and Corporal Robbie Beerenfenger, 29, both of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, died in a landmine explosion Oct. 2, 2003.

This entry was posted on  Wednesday, January 1st, 2003, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2003, Omar Khadr, Operation Apollo, Saddam Hussein
2004 – Borrowed from the National Post
http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2004/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2004, Hamid Karzai

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001. January “Operation Altair” – Canada’s naval contribution to “Operation Enduring” Freedom” – begins with the deployment of HMCS Toronto to operate with USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
Jan. 4 The Loya Jirga, an assembly of regional leaders and tribal chiefs, ratifies the Afghan constitution.
Jan. 18 Canadian soldiers participating in an anti-drug campaign, dubbed “Operation Tsunami,” help seize a compound used for narcotics trafficking that has possible ties to terrorist activity in Southwest Kabul.
Jan. 27 A suicide attacker kills one Canadian Force member in Kabul and wounds three others.
National Post in Afghanistan: It was a beautiful morning in Kabul, cold but bathed in sunshine. No one at Camp Julien seemed to hear the bomb when it went off at 8:25 a.m. on a busy road less than a kilometre from the camp.
Feb. 9 Canadian Forces’ Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier assumes command of ISAF, his position lasts until Aug. 12.
March 13 Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for the bombing of commuter trains in Spain that killed 191 people and injured 1,700 two days earlier.
May “Operation Damocles” – a search and destroy mission operating in rural regions west of Kabul, run by members of the Royal 22nd Regiment (Van Doos) – destroys large quantities of enemy artillery and small arms ammunition.
June 4 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Jansen is deployed as military advisor to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) under “Operation Accius.”
Aug. 19 National Post editorial board: There’s an old adage that still rings true in the media: If it bleeds, it leads. News stories involving violence consistently make headlines while less dramatic items slip through the cracks.
Sept. 27 National Post editorial board: It is not yet clear just how or when Canada’s military role in Afghanistan will expand. A new mission statement and rules of engagement are not likely before November, and a redeployment of our troops into the so-called Afghan badlands before 2005 is unlikely. Oct. 9 The first democratic election takes place in Afghanistan, and Hamid Karzai is elected president.
Dec. 9 Mr. Karzai is inaugurated as President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Fallen soldiers: Corporal Jamie Brendan Murphy, 26 of the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment died Jan. 27, 2004 in an explosion caused by a suicide attacker.

This entry was posted on  Thursday, January 1st, 2004, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2004, Hamid Karzai

2005 – Borrowed from the National Post

http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2005/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2005

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001. Jan. 14 Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier, who commanded NATO forces – almost 7,000 troops from 36 countries – in Afghanistan in 2004, is appointed Canada’s Chief of the Defense Staff.
Feb. 13 Defence Minister Bill Graham announces a doubling of Canadian Forces personnel in Afghanistan by the summer.
March 21 General Hillier announces that a battle group will be deployed to Kandahar, a more volatile region than Kabul, and the Canadian Forces will shift their focus to that province.
May 18 National Post editorial board: In the wake of its much-derided proposal to send a handful of unarmed Canadian “military advisors” to Darfur, the Liberal government has unveiled a far more constructive plan to expand the country’s role in Afghanistan.
June 10 National Post editorial board: On April 17, 2002, the lives of four Canadian soldiers were lost when F-16 pilot Major Harry Schmidt dropped a 500-pound bomb on their training exercise in Afghanistan. This week, insult was added to injury when that same pilot went on American national television to repeat his absurd and insulting assertion that he was acting in self-defence.

Canadian Forces/Handout

July The Canadian Forces’ primary contribution to “Operation Enduring Freedom” becomes “Operation Archer.” Mentors and trainers organize, train, equip, employ and support the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police.
July 7 Al-Qaeda bombs London, killing 52 people. The terrorist attack is timed to coincide with the G8 summit in Scotland.
July 14 General Hillier announces that Joint Task Force 2 commandos will deploy to Afghanistan to fight al-Qaeda and Taliban elements, described by Gen. Hillier as “detestable murderers and scumbags.”
August The International Security Assistance Force extends their operations beyond Kabul. The Canadian Forces assume control of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT), from the U.S. Their duties include protecting the KPRT commander and staff, and quick-impact reconstruction and development projects managed by military engineers. The first Canadian Operational Mentor and Liason Team is deployed to Kandahar Province to work with the Afghan National Army.
September Under “Operation Argus,” the Strategic Advisory Team — Afghanistan (SAT-A) — is implemented with a mandate to offer assistance to senior bureaucrats in Afghan government ministries. The operation is staffed by an officer from the Canadian International Development Agency and 14 members of the Canadian Forces.
Sept. 18 Lower House (Wolesi Jirga) and Provincial Council elections that involve the Joint Electoral Management Body in Kabul are held with the help of the UN and security from the International Election Support Force. The election is considered a peaceful success, due in large part to foreign troops, including Canadian soldiers.
October David Sproule replaces Chris Alexander as Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan.
Oct. 1 The Taliban begins a wave of suicide attacks that specifically target the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. Twenty-six attacks take place over the next 18 months.
Oct. 5 An unsuccessful attempt to strike a Canadian Forces convoy with a vehicle laden with explosives just outside of Kandahar, injures a local farmer, kills his son, and three Canadian soldiers suffer minor injuries.
Oct. 11 A rocket strikes the Canadian Embassy in Kabul. Two Afghan security guards suffer minor injuries.
Oct. 18 “Operation Athena,” Canada’s initial contribution to “Operation Enduring Freedom,” based in Kabul, comes to an official end.
Nov. 29 Canadian Forces officially hand over Camp Julien in Kabul – its main base in Afghanistan for the past two years – to the Afghan National Army and head to the southern city of Kandahar.
Dec. 15 National Post editorial board: The reluctance of Canadian political leaders to make the presence of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan an issue in the federal election campaign is a sign of respect for the dangerous job the soldiers are doing and, more particularly, an acknowledgment that most Canadians understand full well why they are there and support their deployment. Dec. 18 Gen. Hillier and Afghanistan’s Defence Minister, Abdul Raheem Wardak,  sign a deal that will see all terrorism suspects and Taliban terrorists captured by the Canadian Forces, turned over to the Afghan National Army or the Afghan National Police. The agreement includes a guarantee that all detainees will be treated in accordance with the Third Geneva Convention.
Dec. 19 Inauguration of the Afghan National Assembly.
Fallen soldiers: Private Braun Scott Woodfield, 24 of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment died in a traffic accident.

This entry was posted on  Saturday, January 1st, 2005, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2005

2006 – Borrowed from the National Post
http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2006/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2006, Hamid Karzai, Stephen Harper, Taliban

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001. Jan. 31 The Afghan government pledges to build an Afghan National Army of 70,000 soldiers by 2010 when they sign the Afghanistan Compact. The agreement also states objectives aimed at achieving stability and security by strengthening Afghan institutions and coordinating counter-terrorism operations.
Jan. 15 A suicide car bombing kills Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry, and injures three soldiers. The Taliban claims responsibility for the attack in a statement released a month later that describes the bomber as a “holy warrior.”
February The Canadian-led Multinational Medical Unit opens up at Kandahar Airfield. The “Role 3” hospital provides specialist services with major surgical capabilities, and 80 of the 120 medical staff are Canadians.
Feb. 4 National Post in Afghanistan: It’s a long, bumpy trip to this village outside Kandahar, but Master Corporal Andrew Forbes and the crew of Bravo 2 never stop watching for the ever-present danger of ambush or bombs.
Feb. 6 Stephen Harper becomes Prime Minister.
Feb. 11 The first soldiers of the Canadian Task Force Orion head out into “Taliban country” for a six-month patrol of a 4,000-square-kilometre area north of Kandahar.
National Post in Afghanistan: After two weeks of probing and testing the Canadian soldiers who have been patrolling Taliban territory around Kandahar, the insurgents have learned to beware the soldiers with the maple leaf on their shoulders.
Feb. 28 Brigadier General David Frasier assumes command of the multinational brigade (including 2,200 Canadian Forces personnel) based in Kandahar.
Mar. 4 A Taliban supporter attacks Trevor Greene, a Civilian-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) officer, with an axe, almost slicing his brain in two. Mr. Greene is transported to hospital, marking the beginning of a long recovery.
National Post editorial board: Saturday’s barbarous axe attack on Canadian military officer Trevor Greene is being cited to impugn our soldiers’ new offensive role in Afghanistan — notably by the federal NDP, which is invoking the familiar argument that Canadians should be peacekeepers rather than combatants.
March 14 Mr. Harper travels to Kandahar to meet with Afghanistan’s President, Hamid Karzai who expresses his gratitude for all that Canada has done. “Our two principal military objectives are to fight terrorism, fight the forces of terror here, and to reduce the threat,” Mr. Harper said. “The second is to aid the Afghan forces in fighting it themselves. And so I would hope if we reduce our commitments in the future, it’s because we’re having success in these two objectives.”
April 2 Canadian Forces at a Forward Operating Base in Helmand help ensure the the insertion of additional British Forces into the province, without Taliban interference.
May 15 – July 31 Canadian Forces contribute to the NATO-led “Operation Mountain Thrust” in the Zhari and Panjwaii districts. The aim is to decrease Taliban influence and military activity in south east Afghanistan through military operations, followed by an increased security presence and aid programs. Over the course of two days in June, Canadian Forces kill at least twelve Taliban, wound eight and capture two suspected members.
May 17 Canadian, Afghan and American forces undertake “Operation Bravo Guardian” to clear known Taliban safe havens in Kandahar province. A day-long standoff takes place including an ambush on Canadian Forces from three directions that kill a captain – the first female casualty in Afghanistan – who had been coordinating the air attack. The Taliban suffers significant casualties. Mr. Harper introduces a motion in the House of Commons to extend Canada’s mission in Afghanistan – set to end February 2007 – by two years. The House of Commons supports the Conservative motion 149-145.
National Post editorial board: Stephen Harper was not required to hold a vote on Canada’s military commitment in Afghanistan. He had the authority to extend and expand the mission until February, 2009, without consulting Parliament. 
May 23-June 14 Task Force Orion of the Canadian Forces engages the Taliban up to 37 times, preventing insurgents from entering Kandahar city and avoiding urban combat and potential civilian casualties.
May 30 Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor says that fighting violent insurgents is just one of many tasks Canadian soldiers must undertake. “The military has to conduct a range of activities,” he told a Commons committee. “I don’t consider this war.”
June 2 The RCMP charge 12 adults and five juveniles with offences under the Anti-terrorism Act. Another suspect is later apprehended and the group becomes known as the “Toronto 18.” They allegedly planned to take hostages on Parliament Hill and kill the Prime Minister unless Canada withdrew its troops from Afghanistan and released all Muslims from Canadian prisons.

MCpl Robert Bottrill/Canadian Forces Combat Camera

July 1 The Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency opens the first Tim Hortons in Afghanistan, at Kandahar Air Field.
July 31 NATO assumes control of all military operations in southern Afghanistan. Canadian Forces personnel transferred from the U.S.-led “Operation Enduring Freedom,” to NATO.
August 2-3 Four soldiers die and 11 Canadian Forces personnel are injured during close combat with insurgents.
National Post editorial board: We have never wavered in our support for Canada’s Afghan mission — neither when it was largely a defensive operation at coalition headquarters in the capital, Kabul, nor more recently, when it expanded into a combat role in the south of Afghanistan. And we do not waver now. 
Sept. 4 One Canadian soldier dies and dozens are wounded when two U.S. attack jets – called in for close air support – mistakenly fire on soldiers along the front lines of battle.
Sept. 16 In an interview with CBC Radio’s Kathleen Petty, Mr. Harper acknowledges that Canada is at war.
“The fact of the matter is we are engaged in a war in Afghanistan. We have been for some years, but we are today at the front lines of that war, and that’s a very real thing that we have to manage.”
Sept. 17 Officials say “Operation Medusa,” a two-week military offensive in southern Afghanistan, successfully drove the Taliban from the region. NATO reports 512 insurgents killed and 136 taken prisoner. Canadian Brigadier-General David Fraser, commander of NATO forces in the southern region, declares the operation a success but warns not to expect a reprieve.
“What we saw here was a success against the Taliban. But that’s only one area in a very, very large battle space,” he told reporters at the Kandahar Air Field base. “We have to be ready for the next fight.”
Sept. 18 Four Canadian soldiers die and 21 are injured in the worst suicide attack against Canadian Forces. A suicide bomber on a bicycle detonated in Kafir Band village in the Panjwaii district.
Sept. 21 Mr. Karzai visits Ottawa and commends the Canadian Forces on its efforts in Afghanistan while making a plea for continued involvement. Mr. Harper reassures him that Canada will likely remain involved beyond the Feb. 2009 withdrawal date. “Your service in Afghanistan is no doubt a service to the Afghan people for our security, our livelihood, but it is also equally a service to Canadian security and Canadian safety,” Mr. Karzai said.
Nov 1 Brigadier-General Tim Grant assumes command of Canadian Task Force Kandahar.
Dec. 15 The International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Security forces launch a military campaign dubbed “Operation Baaz Tsuka,” in Kandahar province. As part of the operation, Canadian Forces personnel try to convince second-tier Taliban fighters to disarm and return to their villages.
Dec. 26 National Post in Afghanistan: Warning their enemies to “pack up” and leave, or face a “major force” of coalition troops now assembling in the Taliban-dominated hotbed of Zhari and Panjwaii districts, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) yesterday launched a new military campaign in Kandahar province.
Fallen soldiers: Glyn Berry, 59, director of Foreign Affairs Canada died following a suicide attack, Jan. 15; Corporal Paul Davis, 28, of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died March 2 in a LAV III traffic accident; Master Corporal Timothy Wilson, 30, of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died March 5 in a LAV III traffic accident; Private Robert Costall, 22, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died March 29 during a ground offensive;  Lieutenant William Turner, 45, of the 20th Field Artillery Regiment, Corporal Randy Payne, 32, from the 1 Garrison Military Police Company, Bombardier Myles Mansell, 25, of the 5th Field Artillery Regiment (Victoria, British Columbia), and Corporal Matthew Dinning, 23, of 2 Military Police Platoon, died in a roadside bomb April 22; Captain Nichola Goddard, 26, of the 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery died in a ground offensive, May 17; Corporal Anthony Boneca, 21, of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment died July 9 during a ground offensive; Corporal Jason Warren, 29, of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, and Corporal Francisco Gomez, 44, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died July 22 in a suicide attack; Corporal Christopher Reid, 34, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in a roadside bomb the same day. Corporal Bryce Keller, 27, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Sergeant Vaughan Ingram, 35, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and Private Kevin Dallaire, 22, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died Aug. 3 during a ground offensive; Master Corporal Raymond Arndt, 31 of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment died in a traffic accident Aug. 5; Master Corporal Jeffrey Walsh, 33, of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in a shooting accident, Aug. 9; Corporal Andrew Eykelenboom, 23, of the 1st Field Ambulance died Aug. 11 in a suicide bomber attack; Corporal David Braun, 27, of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in a suicide bomber attack, Aug. 22; Sergeant Shane Stachnik, 30, of the 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, Warrant Officer Richard Nolan, 39, Warrant Officer Frank Mellish, 38, and Private William Cushley, 21, all of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment died Sept. 3 during a ground offensive; Private Mark Graham, 33, of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment died Sept. 4, in a “friendly fire” incident; Corporal Keith Morley, 30, Corporal Shane Keating, 30, and Private David Byers, 22, all of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and Corporal Glen Arnold, 32, of the 2nd Battalion, 2 Field Ambulance died Sept. 18, in a suicide bomber attack; Private Josh Klukie, 23, of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment killed by IED, Sept. 29; Corporal Robert Mitchell, 32, and Sergeant Craig Gillam, 40, both of the Royal Canadian Dragoons died Oct. 3 in an insurgent attack; Trooper Mark Wilson, 39, of the Royal Canadian Dragoon killed by an IED, Oct. 7;Private Blake Williamson, 23, and Sergeant Darcy Tedford, 32, both of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, die Oct. 14, in an insurgent attack; Corporal Albert Storm, 36, and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard, 46, both of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment killed in a suicide bomber attack, Nov. 27.

This entry was posted on  Sunday, January 1st, 2006, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2006, Hamid Karzai, Stephen Harper, Taliban

2007 – Borrowed from the National Post
http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2007/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2007, Hamid Karzai, Stephen Harper, Taliban

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001. Jan. 2 Mullah Dadullah, a top commander in the Taliban, warns of a spring-offensive and heavy casualties.
Jan. 25 A Joint Intelligence Operations Centre opens at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters. The centre will allow Afghan and Pakistani military officers to collaborate on campaign planning for intelligence and information operations with the assistance of ISAF personnel.
February Road access on Highway 1 is restored, allowing the safe flow of commercial traffic and improving the flow of civilian traffic. University of Ottawa law professor, Amir Attaran obtains documents from the  Department of National Defence through the Access to Information Act. After reviewing them, he says they contain evidence of the abuse of detainees in the custody of Canadian Forces.
Feb. 1 The Taliban take control of Musa Qala district in Helmland province, an area known to be the biggest opium producer in the world.
Feb. 21 National Post editorial board: On Monday, for the first time in a generation, the Governor-General presented Canadian soldiers with medals for combat valour. As soldiers have always understood well, these medals each reward one conspicuous series of actions under fire, but they represent our gratitude for a hundred more that might have gone unseen or unrecorded. 
March 6 Approximately 5,500 NATO and Afghan troops position themselves in Northern Helmland province under “Operation Achilles,” to focus on violent districts controlled by the Taliban in this region. Canada plays a supporting role in the operation aimed at establishing security in advance of an anticipated Taliban spring-offensive.
April 6 A roadside bomb kills six Canadian soldiers west of Kandahar City, and injures two others.
April 10 Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor says Canadian troops could withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2010, so long as Afghan security forces meet their expansion targets. “We don’t want to be there forever. Our exit strategy is to try to get Afghan governance, development and security to such a level that they can look after themselves,” he said in an interview with the National Post. “We will probably have to provide aid there for many, many years but that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to keep large security forces there. If the Afghan army and police can get to some reasonable level — in their value system, not ours — that will allow NATO to withdraw.”
April 11 Two Canadian soldiers die in a roadside bomb explosion west of Kandahar en route to help three fellow soldiers injured by a roadside bomb an hour earlier.
April 18 A Canadian soldier falls from a communications tower in Kandahar and dies.
May 3 Canada signs a re-written prisoner transfer agreement with Afghanistan that will allow them more access to insurgents captured by Canadians and turned over to Afghan authorities.
May 12 Mullah Abdullah, the Taliban’s second-in-command, dies during a clash with NATO, ISAF and Afghan forces in Helmand province.
May 22 Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits Afghanistan to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and review mission objectives. He also suggests that Canada could extend their mission beyond the February 2009 deadline.
“You know that your work is not complete. You know that we cannot just put down our arms and hope for peace. You know that we can’t set arbitrary deadlines and hope for the best,” Mr. Harper said in a speech to Canadian troops.
National Post in Afghanistan: Dust whips across the desert floor as the troops of Canada’s Charlie Company wrap up “operation Midas” — a NATO show of force in a village reportedly rife with Taliban.  
May 29 National Post in Afghanistan: At the best of times, Dr. Sharifa Siddiqi has an unenviable job. As director of southern Afghanistan’s main civilian hospital, she oversees an under-equipped, dishevelled facility that must nevertheless care for a flood of seriously wounded from one terrorist bombing after another. 
May 30 A Canadian combat photographer and six other NATO troops die when a U.S. helicopter is shot down in Helmand Province. The Taliban claims responsibility.
June 11 National Post in Afghanistan: Major Dave Quick and Captain Mark Shepperd are losing patience fast. The two Canadian infantry officers are trying to establish whether Taliban fighters are using this tree-lined Afghan village as a base, but the answers seem to change by the minute. 
June 18 ABC news obtains video footage of an al-Qaeda-Taliban training camp graduation ceremony, reportedly held on June 9, that was shot by a Pakistani journalist. The video shows a group of about 300 men apparently being sent out on suicide missions across the West. Canadian and U.S. officials downplay any potential danger. “While we’re not immune from threats and no system is 100% perfect, we feel confident that people coming from a group like that would be detected,” said Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day.
June 19 National Post in Afghanistan: They may no longer run the government, but southern Afghanistan’s influential religious leaders continue to make life painfully hard for women, says Kandahar’s new director of women’s affairs. 
July 4 Six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter die when their armored vehicle hits a roadside bomb on their way back from combat in the Panjwaii district.
1 August Canadian Forces Brigadier-General Guy LaRoche assumes command of Task Force Afghanistan.
Aug. 10 National Post editorial board: Major Wallace Noseworthy, a Canadian army reservist and soon-to-be father, has just returned from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. Though he’s thankful not to have been killed or injured in Afghanistan, he isn’t thrilled about things on the home front.
Aug. 14 Peter McKay replaces Mr. O’Connor as Minister of Defence.
September The Canadian Operational Mentor and Liaison Team based in Kandahar forms a sub-unit – a Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team – to “develop ANP (Afghan National Police) professionalism and autonomy by providing training, assistance and expert advice.” The operation also facilitates liaisons between the Afghan National Police, the Afghan National Army and ISAF.
Oct. 12 The Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan, chaired by former Liberal Deputy Minister John Manley, is created to advise the government on mission options following the February 2009 withdrawal date.
“This is not an easy question,” the Prime Minister says at a news conference to announce the panel. “I think we would all be well advised to take a deep breath and to take a look at the facts before we rush to judgment.”  The panel is due to report back to Parliament before the end of January 2008.
Nov. 28 The Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan leaves the war-torn country after a week-long fact-finding visit.
Dec. 6 National Post editorial board: Our troops are good at what they do in Afghanistan. True, some aid groups have recently said their convoys are being inspected at Taliban checkpoints that operate in the open. And the controversy over the treatment of prisoners we turn over to the Afghan authorities lingers still — at least in opposition politicians’ minds. 
Fallen Soldiers: Corporal Kevin Megeney, 25, of the 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders died in a non-combat related incident March 6; Private Kevin Kennedy, 20, Private David Greenslade, 20, Corporal Aaron Williams, 23, Corporal Brent Poland, 37, and Sergeant Donald Lucas, 31, all of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, and Corporal Christopher Stannix, 24, of the Princess Louise Fusiliers killed by a roadside bomb, April 8; Trooper Patrick Pentland, 23, and Master Corporal Allan Stewart, 31, both of The Royal Canadian Dragoons killed by a roadside bomb, April 11; Master Corporal Anthony Klumpenhouwer, 25, of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command died in a non-combat-related accident April 18; Corporal Matthew Cully, 25, of the 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron died in an IED explosion, May 25; Master Corporal Darrell Priede, 30, of the Army News Team, died in a U.S. Chinook helicopter crash in Afghanistan May 30; Trooper Darryl Caswell, 25, of The Royal Canadian Dragoons died in a roadside bomb, June 11; Private Joel Wiebe, 22, Corporal Stephen Bouzane, 26, and Sergeant Christos Karigiannis, 31, all of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in an IED explosion, June 20; Private Lane Watkins, 20, Corporal Cole Bartsch, 23, Captain Matthew Dawe, 27, and Corporal Jordan Anderson, 25, all of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Captain Jefferson Francis, 37, of the 1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and Master Corporal Colin Bason, 28, of The Royal Westminster Regiment were killed in an IED explosion, July 4; Private Simon Longtin, 23, of the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment died in an IED explosion, Aug. 19; Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier, 43, of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment and Master Corporal Christian Duchesne, 34, of the 5th Field Ambulance, 5 Area Support Group both died in a landmine explosion, and Major Raymond Mark Ruckpaul, 42, of the Armoured Corps, The Royal Canadian Dragoons died in a non-combat related death, Aug. 22;Corporal Nathan Hornburg, 24, of The King’s Own Calgary Regiment died in a mortar attack, Sept. 24; Corporal Nicolas Beauchamp, 28, of the 5 Field Ambulance, and Private Michel Jr. Lévesque, 25, from the 3 Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment died in an IED explosion Nov. 17; Gunner Jonathan Dion, 27, of the 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada died in an IED explosion Dec. 30.

This entry was posted on  Monday, January 1st, 2007, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2007, Hamid Karzai, Stephen Harper, Taliban

2008 – Borrowed from the National Post

http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2008/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2008, Hamid Karzai, Stephen Harper

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001. Jan. 21 National Post in Afghanistan: Ragged, poor, and ailing, they came from all around Spin Boldak, a city of 30,000 just six kilometres from the porous Afghanistan-Pakistan border, at the very edge of Kandahar province.
Jan. 22 The Manley Panel Report recommends that Canada stay in Afghanistan past the February 2009 withdrawal date, but calls for a gradual military shift from combat to training so that the Afghan National Security Forces can meet security needs in Kandahar by 2011, when the Afghan Compact expires. The report lists two conditions that must be met: NATO and other allies must assign an additional 1,000 personnel to Kandahar before February 2009, and the Canadian government must purchase new helicopters and surveillance equipment.
Jan. 26 National Post editorial board: The question of what our troops are to do with Afghans detainees  continues to bedevil the Harper government. Much of this is the doing of  opposition spin doctors and their friends in the Parliamentary press  gallery.
Jan. 28 Prime Minister Stephen Harper accepts the main recommendations of the Manley report on Afghanistan and commits to personally leading an effort to secure more troops and equipment for Canadian forces. He says the report’s recommendations give him “tremendous ammunition” to take to a NATO summit in Romania.
Feb. 4 National Post in Afghanistan: Canadian and Afghan National Army soldiers are kicking down doors and bursting into residential compounds in this Taliban fiefdom, looking for insurgents responsible for a wave of deadly attacks.
Feb. 18 National Post in Afghanistan: Scores of Afghan civilians were killed by a suicide bomber yesterday morning at a dogfighting rally 10 kilometres northwest of Kandahar city, an area that falls inside the Canadian military’s zone of security and combat operations in southern Afghanistan.
March 20 The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan renews its mandate under Security Council Resolution 1806.
April 24 NATO meets in Bucharest and France commits to sending an additional 700 troops to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, enabling the U.S. to pledge 1,000 additional personnel for Kandahar. Mr. Harper says that Canada came to the summit seeking a commitment from its allies that meets the conditions for extending the country’s mission in Afghanistan, and succeeded. Mr. Harper adds that considerable progress has been made to secure the equipment the Manley report recommended for Canadian troops, including a pledge from Poland to loan some of its aircraft.
April 27 The Taliban fire guns and rockets at a ceremony commemorating the 16th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence. The attack is considered an assassination attempt against Afghan President Hamid Karzai, but he escapes unharmed. Three people die and 10 are injured in the assault.
May Hundreds of prisoners in Sarpoza Prison, Kandahar go on hunger strike to protest alleged torture at the facility. Forty-seven inmates reportedly sew their mouths shut.
May 12 Mr. Harper announces a 20-year defence strategy worth about $30-billion that pledges increased troop numbers and new equipment for the Canadian military. Defence Minister Peter MacKay says the plan includes the immediate allocation of money to buy six medium-lift helicopters to support troops in Afghanistan.
June 13 The Taliban launches a nighttime attack on Sarpoza Prison. A truck full of explosives detonates outside the prison gates, allowing a suicide bomber the opportunity to set off more bombs inside. As many as thirty insurgents on motorcycles raid the prison, killing nine staff and enabling many of the 1,200 prisoners to escape.
Aug. 8 In accordance with conditions set out in the March 13 parliamentary motion to extend Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan until 2011, Mr. MacKay, and Minister of Public Works Christian Paradis announce that Canada will obtain additional air resources. Initial delivery is planned for 2009.
Aug. 15 National Post editorial board: From 2004 till this year, the received wisdom was that Iraq was an  apocalyptic failure, while Afghanistan was a troubled, but improving  work in progress. Recent events have spun that view on its head.
Aug. 25 National Post in Afghanistan: The National Post’s Scott Deveau was embedded with  Canada’s soldiers in Afghanistan. He survived an IED blast that wounded  six Canadian soldiers and fellow reporter Tobi Cohen of the Canadian  Press. This is his account of the experience.
Sept. 10 National Post in Afghanistan: The blast from an improvised explosive device that claimed the life of  yet another Canadian soldier last weekend has become an all-too-familiar  sound for the troops fighting the Taliban-led insurgency in Kandahar.
Sept. 23 National Post editorial board: The second battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2PPCLI) have returned home from Afghanistan. Theirs was a particularly brutal tour.
Oct. 20 National Post in Afghanistan: As he girded himself for another shift protecting a massive NATO supply  convoy this week, Rozi Mohammed made a frank admission: The work  terrifies him.
Oct. 27 National Post in Afghanistan: As Canadian Forces continue to fight and die throughout Kandahar  province, the Taliban have quietly set up parallel governments only  kilometres away from the provincial capital, local residents say. 
Dec. 5 The death of Corporal Mark McLaren is marked by a grim milestone, as he becomes the 100th Canadian casualty in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device kills him and two fellow soldiers.
Dec. 27 Canadian Forces participate in a disruption and search operation near Senjaray, Zhari District to enhance security for voter registration. Troops discover and destroy three IED production factories, discover a weapons cache of small arms, rockets, grenades, and ammunition and assist in neutralizing an insurgent trying to plant an IED. A suspected local insurgent commander is also captured.
Dec. 31 Captain Robert Semaru is charged with the second degree murder of an unarmed, wounded Taliban insurgent after the Canadian Forces National Investigation service starts to look into the alleged incident that took place in October 2008.
Fallen Soldiers: Corporal Éric Labbé, 31, and Warrant Officer Hani Massouh, 41, both of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment die when a military vehicle rolls over Jan. 6; Trooper Richard Renaud, 26, of 12e Régiment blindé du Canada died in an improvised explosive device blast Jan. 15; Corporal Étienne Gonthier, 21, of 5 Combat Engineer Regiment died in an IED explosion Jan. 23; Trooper Michael Hayakaze, 25, of Lord Strathcona’s Horse died in an IED explosion March 2; Bombardier Jérémie Ouellet, 22, of the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery died in a non-combat related incident March 2; Sergeant Jason Boyes, 32, of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in an explosion March 16; Private Terry Street, 24, of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in an IED explosion April 4; Corporal Michael Starker, 36, of 15 Field Ambulance died during an insurgent attack; May 6; Captain Richard Leary, 32, of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died during an insurgent attack, June 3; Captain Jonathan Snyder, 26, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died after falling down a well during a nighttime patrol June 7; Corporal Brendan Downey, 36, of the Military Police Detachment died in a non-combat related incident July 4. Private Colin Wilmot, 24, of 1 Field Ambulance died in an IED explosion July 5; Corporal James Arnal, 25, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in an IED explosion July 18; Master Corporal Joshua Roberts, 29, of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died in an IED explosion Aug. 9; Master Corporal Erin Doyle, 32, of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died during an insurgent attack Aug. 11; Sergeant Shawn Eades, 33, Corporal Dustin Wasden, 25, Sapper Stephan Stock, 25, all of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment died in an IED explosion, and Private Chadwick Horn, 21, of 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group died in an insurgent attack Aug. 11; Corporal Michael Seggie, 21 and Corporal Andrew Grenon, 23, both of 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group died in an insurgent attack Sept. 3; Sergeant Prescott Shipway, 36, of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group died in an IED explosion Sept. 7; Private Demetrios Diplaros, 24, Corporal Mark McLaren, 23, and Warrant Officer Robert Wilson, 37, all of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment died in an IED explosion Dec. 5; Private Justin Jones, 21, and Corporal Thomas Hamilton, 26, both of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment died in an IED explosion Dec. 13; Private Michael Freeman of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment died in an IED explosion Dec. 26; Warrant Officer Gaetan Roberge, 45, of the 2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada and Sergeant Gregory Kruse, 40, of the 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group died in an IED explosion Dec. 27.
2009 – Borrowed from the National Post

http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2009/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2009, Barack Obama, Stephen Harper, Taliban, United States

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001. Jan. 2 Canadian soldiers shoot and kill a would-be suicide bomber attempting to  drive an explosive-laden vehicle into a Canadian Forces security patrol  in the Shawali Kot district, north of Kandahar city. Major David Warke  says that the explosive on board the vehicle had the potential to cause  significant damage within a 1,500-metre range.
February Canadian forces in southern Afghanistan receive six CH-47 Chinook  medium-lift helicopters from the U.S. Army, and Brigadier-General  Jonathan Vance assumes command of Task Force Kandahar, the formation  conducting the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)  mission in the province.
March “Operation Kalay I” begins with the implementation of a  counter-insurgency “Clear, Hold, Build” strategy. Personnel go village  to village in Kandahar province, clearing insurgents out of the area,  and then Civil-Military Co-operations teams assist in rebuilding and  re-establishing order.
March 3 National Post editorial board: For some time, it has been clear that complete eradication of the  Taliban in Afghanistan is impossible. It has too many domestic  supporters inside the country and — more importantly — receives too much  aid and safe haven across the border in Pakistan. 
May 9 National Post in Afghanistan: Villagers in a Taliban-controlled area west of Kandahar City are  applauding last week’s drawback of Canadian and Afghan troops, saying  the presence of coalition forces in their communities had only  complicated their lives. 
May 30 National Post in Afghanistan: The Taliban “never lie.” So says one of the insurgent group’s usual  spokesmen, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, speaking via cellphone recently from an  undisclosed location.
June Canadian Forces’ Brigadier-General Eric Tremblay leaves for Kabul to act  as the NATO-ISAF spokesman, and U.S. General Stanley McChrystal assumes  command of NATO-ISAF.
June 23 Afghan National Security Forces support villagers in Deh-e-Bagh who want  to provide for their own security, and encourage neighbouring  communities to do the same. Gen. McChrystal suggests the initiative  could and should be replicated elsewhere. “Three things are really  important: security, development and good governance,” said Hamdullah  Nazak, the 31-year-old leader of Dand district. “The Taliban feel  discouraged and defeated when they see locals working, and the community  progressing.”
July 3 An improvised explosive device detonation narrowly misses the vehicle of  Brig.-Gen. Vance. The explosion kills a Canadian soldier.
August William Crosbie assumes the role of Canada’s fifth ambassador to  Afghanistan, taking over from Ron Hoffman whose two-year term ended July  17. “This country has challenges and a long way to go to overcome its  security issues and institution building,” Mr. Hoffman said. “But I’m  also confident as I leave that Afghanistan will succeed because we have  seen solid progress.”
Aug. 20 Afghanistan holds a successful federal election, but fewer Afghans vote  than in the first Presidential election in 2004, with the lowest numbers  reported in Kandahar. Allegations of election fraud surface, and 225  complaints are lodged with the UN-run Election Complaints Commission.  Meanwhile, nearly 450 security incidents are reported, the highest  number on a single day since 2001.
Aug. 25 “Operation Kalay II” is launched with a mandate to stabilize the Dand  district and begin building in southern Afghanistan. Canadian Forces are  free to focus on developing relations with villages now that the  Stryker combat teams from the U.S. Army have relieved some of the demand  for security forces in Kandahar province.
Oct. 14 Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces that Canada will end its  military mission in Afghanistan in December 2011, in accordance with a  motion passed by Parliament in 2008. “The plan is to move to a civilian,  development, humanitarian mission,” he said.
Nov. 19 Brigadier-General Daniel Menard becomes commander of Joint Task Force Afghanistan.
Dec. 1 U.S. President Barack Obama announces another 30,000 troops for the war  in Afghanistan, but says American troops will begin to leave the  war-torn country by July 2011, if conditions permit. “Our friends have  fought and bled and died alongside us in Afghanistan. Now, we must come  together to end this war successfully,” Mr. Obama said. By midsummer,  the United States will have almost 100,000 troops in Afghanistan.
National Post editorial board: Barack Obama’s speech on Tuesday laid out his vision of how to win the  war in Afghanistan. Until then, the U.S. President had been insulated  from criticism on the issue; he could point to the prior administration  as the source of every setback.
Dec. 31 National Post editorial board: It is always deeply devastating to learn that yet another Canadian  soldier has died in the war in Afghanistan. Four more made the ultimate  sacrifice yesterday, including Calgary Herald reporter Michelle Lang. 
Fallen soldiers: Trooper Brian Good, 43, of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal  Canadian  Regiment Battle Group died in an improvised explosive device blast Jan.  7; Sapper Sean Greenfield, 25, of the 24 Field Engineer Squadron, 3rd  Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group died in an IED  explosion Jan. 31; Corporal Kenneth O’Quinn, 25, of the 2 Canadian  Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron, Corporal  Dany Fortin, 29, of the 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing  Bagotville, and Warrant Officer Dennis Brown, 38, of the Lincoln and  Welland Regiment died March 3 in an IED explosion; Trooper Marc Diab,  22, of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, 3rd Battalion the Royal Canadian  Regiment Battle Group died in an IED explosion March 8; Trooper Corey  Hayes, 22, and Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, both of the Royal Canadian  Dragoons, 3rd Battalion the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, and  Corporal Tyler Crooks, 24, and Master Corporal Scott Vernelli, 28, both  of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group are  killed in an IED explosion March 20; Corporal Karine Blais, 21, of the  12e  Régiment Blindé du Canada, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle  Group died in an IED explosion April 13; Major Michelle Mendes, 30,  Chief of Defence Intelligence died in a non-combat related incident  April 23; Private Alexandre Péloquin, 20, of the 3rd Battalion, Royal  22nd Regiment died June 8 in an IED explosion; Corporal Martin Dubé, 35,  from 5 Combat Engineer Regiment died in an IED blast June 14; Corporal  Nicholas Bulger, 30, of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian   Light Infantry died in an IED explosion July 3; Master Corporal  Charles-Phillippe Michaud, 28, of the 2nd Batallion, Royal 22e Régiment,  died in an IED explosion July 4; Corporal Martin Joannette, 25, of the  3e  Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment, and Master Corporal Patrice Audet,  38, of the 430e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères both died in a  helicopter crash July 6; Private Sébastien Courcy, 26, of the 2nd  Battalion, Royal 22e  Régiment, was killed in action July 16; Corporal  Christian Bobbitt, 23, and Sapper Matthieu Allard, 21, both of the 5  Combat Engineer Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group  died in an IED explosion Aug. 1; Major Yannick Pépin, 36, and Corporal  Jean-François Drouin, 31, both of the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, 2nd  Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group died in an IED blast Sept. 6;  Private Patrick Lormand, 21, of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment  died in an IED explosion Sept. 13; Corporal Jonathan Couturier, 23, of  the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment died in an IED explosion Sept. 17;  Lieutenant Justin Boyes, 26, of the 3rd  Battalion Princess Patricia’s  Canadian Light Infantry died in an IED explosion Oct. 28; Sapper Steven  Marshall, 24, of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment died in an IED explosion  Oct. 30; Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall, 30 of the 1st Battalion Princess  Patricia’s  Canadian Light Infantry died Dec. 23 in an IED explosion  Dec. 23; Sergeant George Miok, 28, from the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment,  Sergeant Kirk Taylor, 28, of the 84 Independent Field Battery, Royal  Canadian Artillery, Corporal Zachery McCormack, 21, of the Loyal  Edmonton  Regiment, 4th Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light  Infantry, and Private Garrett Chidley, 21 of the 2nd Battalion Princess  Patricia’s  Canadian Light Infantry were killed in an IED blast Dec. 30.

This entry was posted on  Thursday, January 1st, 2009, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2009, Barack Obama, Stephen Harper, Taliban, United States

2010 – Borrowed from the National Post

http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2010/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2010, Omar Khadr, Stephen Harper

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001.
Jan. 6 Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the Canadian Forces will withdraw  from Afghanistan between July and December 2011 and following that  Canada’s activity in the country will be a strictly civilian mission.  According to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen “whatever  Canada decides, NATO and ISAF (NATO military forces) will stay in  Afghanistan as long as it takes to finish our job.”
Jan. 25 National Post editorial board: Auditor-General Sheila Fraser returned from a five-day visit to  Afghanistan Friday with an important message for Canadians, and some  crucial questions. 
Jan. 28 The Seventh International Conference on Afghanistan – a 60 nation summit  organized by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown – takes place in  London, England, with the objective to reach a peace settlement with the  Taliban. Suggestions include allowing the Taliban to control a portion  of the government and paying Taliban insurgents and leaders to join the  Afghan government.
Feb. 13 “Operation Moshtarak” directs the largest air assault in the Afghan War –  involving Canadian, American, British and other coalition forces –  against the last two regions of significant Taliban control in Helmand  province. The ISAF drops leaflets and make broadcasts warning residents.  The region is known as the world’s largest poppy grower and a major  bomb-making and staging area for suicide bombers.
Feb. 14 Residents of Marjah in Helmand province who remained in their homes  endure air assaults aimed at Taliban forces and 12 civilians die.
Feb. 18 The Taliban reportedly use women and children as human shields on the  battlefield at Marjah. NATO confirms 15 civilian deaths since the launch  of “Operation Mostarak” and Afghan rights groups report 19 deaths.
March 13-14 Suicide bombers orchestrate five attacks on locations including police  headquarters and a prison, killing up to 35 civilians and injuring 47.
March 23 The Canadian Forces announce they will no longer report on soldiers  wounded on the battlefield to prevent the Taliban from gaining access to  this information. Brigadier General Dan Menard says the Taliban could  use such information to improve its tactics, causing more Canadian  casualties.
March 24 Captain Robert Semrau appears at the first day of his court martial to  face charges for allegedly shooting two tracer bullets at close range  into a wounded Taliban fighter in a farmer’s field in Afghanistan in  October 2008. “Shooting an unarmed, wounded individual who poses no threat to him or  to any of the troops under his command is shockingly unacceptable  conduct,” prosecution counsel Captain Thomas Fitzgerald said in an  opening statement. The captain pleaded not guilty. Capt. Semrau said he  couldn’t live with himself if he had allowed another human being “to  suffer like that,” military prosecutors say. The trial is expected to  last until June. Defence Minister Peter MacKay announces that  Major-General Peter Devlin will be promoted to lieutenant-general and  take over as chief of land staff at National Defence Headquarters,  replacing Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie.
March 25 A press report, citing unnamed sources, says Canada will be asked to  keep as many as 600 soldiers in Afghanistan in a training capacity but  Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon tells the House of Commons that  even if the U.S. and NATO ask for a continued Canadian presence, “In  2011 we’re out.”
March 29 The federal government of Canada reiterates its plan to pull out all  2,800 soldiers currently stationed in Kandahar by 2011. U.S. Secretary  of State Hillary Clinton says in Ottawa, “We would obviously like to see  some form of support continue because the Canadian Forces have a great  reputation. They work really well with our American troops and the other  members of our coalition.”
April 8 On a visit to Afghanistan, Mr. MacKay hints that Canada may not leave  Afghanistan altogether in 2011. “There are other ways that we will  continue to contribute. Training is obviously one of those options, and I  suspect there will be further discussion about what the mission will  look like post-2011.”
April 13 Canadian diplomat Richard Colvin tells a public hearing by the Military  Police Complaints Commission that Canadian forces were “blocking” the  International Committee of the Red Cross from checking detainees  transferred to Afghan authorities when he arrived in Afghanistan in  2006. Provost marshals and military police have been accused of aiding  and abetting the torture of detainees transferred to Afghan custody.
April 27 The Speaker of the House of Commons rules against the federal  government, upholding the opposition’s right to view uncensored  documents about how Canadian Forces dealt with detainee transfers, and  how the prisoners were treated. After five months of opposition requests  the Speaker gives the two sides two weeks to come to a compromise.
May 14 MPs announce they have reached a deal that will reveal 20,000 to 40,000   pages of documents about Canada’s handling of Afghan detainees, staving  off an election.
May 29 Brigadier-General Daniel Menard is fired from his position as head of  the Canadian Forces following allegations of sexual misconduct, relating  to an alleged affair.  He is the first Canadian general officer to be  dismissed from the battlefield since the Second World War.  Brigadier-General Jon Vance – who left the post six months ago – will  take over until the end of September.
June 2 Taliban suicide bombers attack a meeting of 1,600 Afghans and their president who were discussing ways to end the war.
June 13 Afghan President Hamid Karzai promises better governance and development  to a group of several hundred elders in Kandahar, the city that  launched the Taliban. “Right now, the life of Kandahar is a very bad  life,” he said at a conference hall in the city. “Step by step, we can  go forward.”
July A U.S government audit concludes that many “top-rated” Afghan National  Army units had been “overstated” by NATO commanders. Western nations  have said they will only withdraw troops when the Afghans can provide  security for themselves and NATO has set a target for an Afghan army  with 171,000 members by 2014,  a significant increase from the current  119,000 soldiers. It is revealed that two of 17 Afghan National Army  personnel who have gone AWOL in the past eight years  while receiving  English training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas have  attained permanent resident status in Canada and six are awaiting a  decision on refugee claims.
July 15 Canada transfers responsibility for the war in Kandahar city to the U.S.  army’s 82nd Airborne Division after holding the Taliban at bay for more  than four years. “This is a tactical footprint change,” Brig.-Gen.  Vance said. “The military brawn is being concentrated.”
July 20 At an international conference in Kabul, foreign leaders agree that  Afghan National Security Forces “should lead and conduct military  operations in all provinces by the end of 2014.”
Aug. 4 An Ontario court denies the extradition of Abdullah Khadr to the United  States on terrorism charges. The U.S. alleges Mr. Khadr, Omar Khadr’s  brother, admitted to procuring weapons for al-Qaeda and taking part in  an assassination plot against the prime minister of Pakistan, but Mr.  Khadr says he made those confessions while detained and tortured in  Pakistan in 2005.
August Mr. Karzai blindsides the international community when he announces that  all private security companies in the country must disband within four  months.
Aug. 12 Omar Khadr’s trial begins. The 23-year-old faces multiple charges  including the murder of Special Forces Sergeant First Class Chris Speer  who died in a grenade attack when the accused was 15 years old.
Aug. 21 National Post in Afghanistan: ‘My mission,” says Pete Reintjes, a sunburned, sweat-stained captain, “is to hold Nakhonay.” It’s a dangerous, complicated task, and one suddenly crucial to  Canada’s shrinking combat assignment in Afghanistan as it comes nearer  to an end.
Aug. 27 National Post in Afghanistan: Worried villagers are packing up their belongings and fleeing unstable  districts around Kandahar city as Canadian, U.S. and Afghan forces  intensify a long-planned campaign against insurgents in the area, local  sources have told the National Post. 
Sept. 4 National Post in Afghanistan: After four years of effort and heavy sacrifices, Canada’s military is  still confounded by the Panjwaii district, the seat of Taliban power and  home to a tiny, unhappy populace. 
Sept. 18 Afghan officials declare the parliamentary election a success, but the UN says up to 4,000 complaints will have to be heard.
Oct. 8 National Post in Afghanistan: The war that Canadian soldiers are helping wage in Afghanistan is not being lost. Having spent nearly six months in the country since 2006, most of that time embedded with our troops, I’ve just come home again, convinced of it. 
Oct. 24 Omar Khadr pleads guilty to five charges, including murder in a deal  with the Pentagon that will limit his sentence and allow him apply to be  transferred to Canadian custody after one year.
Oct. 29 Mr. MacKay says he is “outraged” at how the government treated the  family of a Canadian soldier who committed suicide in 2008, after  suffering symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The Fynes family  said the Canadian Forces named the wrong executor of the estate,  withheld their son’s suicide note and failed to provide help to him  despite being aware that he was suffering from PTSD. In a letter dated  Sept. 21, the family was ordered to stop phoning the Ottawa offices of  the military’s pension branch.
Oct. 30 Bill Harris, the top U.S. diplomat in southern Afghanistan, believes  “people will write dissertations” one day about a Canadian-led  Provincial Reconstruction Team he describes as “wildly successful.” “We  honestly could not have grown as fast or as easily and come up to the  level of effectiveness we currently perform at [if it had been] with any  other country than Canada,” Mr. Harris said.
Oct. 31 Omar Khadr is handed a symbolic 40-year sentence by a U.S. military  jury, but could return to Canada in little over a year in a transfer  that the Harper government has agreed to “favourably consider.”
Nov. 9 National Post editorial board: Of course Canada should  remain in Afghanistan past next July’s planned  departure. Our role  beyond the summer can and should be debated: Do we  remain in a combat  mission or downscale to purely a training function  with the Afghan  Nation Army and police — or both? 
Nov. 11 Mr. Harper says Canada will deploy military trainers to Afghanistan for  three more years because this country wants to ensure the “sacrifices”  made by Canadian soldiers in the past decade are honoured.  “We do want  to make sure that as we leave [Afghanistan], what we leave behind is a  situation that will ensure that the sacrifices that Canadians have made  … are appropriately honoured,” he said. He confirmed the training  would occur from 2011 to 2014.
Nov. 15 National Post editorial board: At the Halifax International Security Forum, which took place earlier  this month, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham made waves by enthusiastically  ticking off all the Iranian assets that the United States should target  if Washington decides to use military force against Tehran.
Nov. 17 Minister of International Co-operation Bev Oda announces that Canada’s  assistance to Afghanistan will equal $100-million per year for the next  three years. NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar says the government  reportedly spent $205-million last year alone. “Up until a week ago, we  were withdrawing our troops. Now troops are remaining, they’re massively  cutting aid to help Afghans, and putting money into training troops,”  he said. “It’s outrageous.”
Fallen soldiers: Sergeant John Faught, 44, of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s  Canadian Light Infantry died in an improvised explosive device blast  Jan. 16; Captain Frank Paul, 53, of the 28 Field Ambulance died of  natural causes while on leave from Afghanistan Feb. 10; Corporal Joshua  Baker, 24, of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment 4th Battalion Princess  Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died Feb. 12 in a training accident  in Kandahar; Corporal Darren Fitzpatrik, 21 of the 3rd Battalion  Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in an IED explosion  March 20; Private Tyler Todd, 26, of the 1st Battalion Princess  Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in an IED explosion April 11;  Petty Officer Second Class Craig Blake, 37, of the Fleet Diving Unit  died in an IED blast May 3; Private Kevin McKay, 24, of the 1st  Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry died in an IED  explosion May 13; Colonel Geoff Parker, 42, from the Land Forces Central  Area Headquarters was killed by a suicide bomber May 18; Trooper Larry  Rudd, 26, of the Royal Canadian Dragoons died in an IED explosion May  24; Sergeant Martin Goudreault, 35, of the 1 Combat Engineer Regiment  died in an IED explosion June 6; Sergeant James MacNeil, 28 of the 2  Combat Engineer Regiment died in an IED blast June 21; Private Andrew  Miller, 21 from 2 Field Ambulance, and Master Corporal Kristal  Giesebrecht, 34, of the 1 Canadian Field Hospital were killed in an IED  blast June 26; Sapper Brian Collier, 24, of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment,  died in an IED explosion July 20; Corporal Brian Pinksen, 20, of the 2nd  Battalion , Royal Newfoundland Regiment died in an IED blast Aug. 30;  Corporal Steve Martin, 24, of the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment died  in IED explosion Dec. 18.

This entry was posted on  Friday, January 1st, 2010, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2010, Omar Khadr, Stephen Harper
2011 – Borrowed from the National Post

http://afghanistan.nationalpost.com/canada-in-afghanistan-2011/

Posted In: Timelines   |  Post tags: 2011, Hamid Karzai, Stephen Harper, Taliban

The Post takes a comprehensive year-by-year look at Canada’s presence in Afghanistan since 2001.
Jan. 3 The results of an analysis of Question Period transcripts revealed that the opposition questioned the government about Canada’s mission in Afghanistan and government ethics more than any other subjects in 2010.
Jan. 9 Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Moritsugu, the leader of the mission transition and liaison team for the Canadian Forces, says pulling Canada’s almost 3,000 soldiers out of Afghanistan this year will cost “lots of hundred of millions of dollars.” A more precise price tag is not available for Canada’s largest military pullout since the Korean conflict in 1950. “It’s like moving a very large village or small town, lock, stock and barrel,” said Lt.-Col. Moritsugu. “We have to clean, repair and pack everything up and move it halfway around the world.”
Feb. 10 Omar Khadr signs a prisoner transfer application, bringing him one step closer to returning to Canada. The 24-year-old, who was arrested when he was 15, admitted to five war crimes, including murder in the death of a U.S. serviceman, as part of a plea deal that guaranteed he would spend a maximum one more year in detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Feb. 13 Two senior Canadian generals will oversee NATO’s multi-billion dollar training programmes tasked with ensuring that Afghan security forces are ready to assume control from alliance forces by the end of 2014.
Feb. 12 A 28-year-old Taliban field commander who says he fought numerous battles against Canadian troops, surrenders to Afghan authorities, along with 30 of his men. “Among the Taliban, there are commanders now who are tired and want to join the peace process,” said Haji Toorjan after he turned over his weapons at a ceremony in Kandahar city. “The government should reach them out and meet their demands, which are not high: protection, shelter and jobs.” He said the Taliban paid its fighters nothing, but provided food, weapons and shelter across the border in Pakistan.
Feb. 27 The Foreign Affairs Department says the young Canadian traveller, Colin Rutherford, disappeared while visiting Afghanistan to learn Pashto, the native tongue of the Taliban. Insurgents say they have captured a Canadian “secret agent” by the same name.
March 6 Afghanistan begins to open up its mining industry for foreign investment to allow the country to capitalize on its vast resource wealth. The government offers guaranteed security and a favourable tax regime at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference. A New York Times report released last June stated that the U.S. had identified nearly US$1-trillion worth of minerals in the country. “[Mining] is a path to economic sovereignty for the Afghan people,” said Afghan Mining Minister Wahidullah Shahrani.
March 15 The RCMP issues arrest warrants for two former University of Manitoba students, Ferid Imam, 30, and Maiwand Yar, 27, who  left Canada  four years ago to allegedly attend terrorist training in Pakistan. The same day, the U.S. unseals an indictment charging Mr. Imam with playing a role in a failed al-Qaeda plot to bomb New York subways in 2009. The pair never used the return portion of their flight tickets.
March 22 Afghan President Hamid Karzai announces the first seven areas where Afghan forces will assume primary responsibility for security, beginning in July. It is the initial phase of a transfer-of-power strategy that will see NATO troops move to a support role before allowing Afghan forces to assume complete control of the country by 2014.  “The Afghan nation doesn’t want the defence of this country to be in the hands of others any more,” said Mr. Karzai.
April 12 The Ottawa Citizen reports that a portion of the estimated 950 Canadian soldiers committed to the mission to train Afghan police and the army will operate out of the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The Harper government had previously announced the training mission would not involve combat and would be centred on the capital city of Kabul. Mazar-i-Sharif was the site of an April 1 attack, in response to a U.S. pastor burning the Koran in Florida, that left seven United Nations staff and five Afghans dead.
April 25 Sixty-five of the 488 prisoners detained at Sarpoza jail in Kandahar escape through a tunnel dug by the Taliban. The Taliban claim as many as 541 escaped. Afghan authorities and foreign troops launch a manhunt and question security at the prison.
National Post in Afghanistan: Bad news reached us Monday morning in Panjwaii district, where Richard Johnson and I continue to move about with Canadian troops. In Kandahar city, we learned, 476 inmates escaped from the Afghan-run Sarpoza prison, where Taliban insurgents and others are held. Afghan reporters in the city have filed stories quoting a Taliban source claiming responsibility for the prison break. 
May 1 U.S. President Barack Obama announces that Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, was killed in an American-led operation in a mansion outside Islamabad, Pakistan. “The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done,” said former U.S. President George W. Bush.
National Post in Afghanistan: “It’s a great day, Bin Laden being dead and all,” said an American civilian Monday morning; she was standing in line at a coffee joint on the famous boardwalk at Kandahar Air Field. 
May 2 Prime Minister Stephen Harper wins his first majority Conservative government in the 41st Canadian general election.
National Post in Afghanistan: Taliban insurgents launched a string of coordinated suicide and IED attacks on Kandahar city Saturday, purportedly in retaliation to the U.S. commando raid almost seven days ago that killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.
May 8 National Post in Afghanistan: Colin Rutherford, a 26-year-old Canadian civilian taken hostage in October by “Mujahideen” kidnappers in Ghazni province, central Afghanistan, appears healthy, rational and calm while speaking in a brief video released Sunday on a pro-jihadist website.  
May 13 Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin says repairing and repatriating the large quantities of gear at the end of the combat mission in Afghanistan is a complex undertaking that will likely impede Canada’s ability to deploy combat forces overseas until November 2012.
May 30 Mr. Harper visits Canadian troops in Kandahar to thank them for their contribution to the Afghan war that has already lasted longer than the combined number of years that Canadians fought in the First and Second World Wars. “Let no one forget it! My friends, you have done exceptionally well. On behalf of all Canadians, I salute you.”
June 8 Four hundred Canadian soldiers gather at a sunset memorial in Masum Gar to commemorate the 156 troops who died during the Afghan mission.
Fallen soldiers: Corporal Yannick Scherrer, 24, of the 1er Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment died in an improvised explosive device blast March 27; Bombardier Karl Manning, 31, of the 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada died in a non-combat related incident May 27.

This entry was posted on  Saturday, January 1st, 2011, Posted In: Timelines  |  Post tags: 2011, Hamid Karzai, Stephen Harper, Taliban

2012 – Borrowed from the National Post http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/02/01/over-2000-canadians-were-wounded-in-afghan-mission/

Over 2,000 Canadians were wounded in Afghan mission: report

Postmedia News Feb 1, 2012 – 8:09 PM ET | Last Updated: Feb 1, 2012 8:10 PM ET

Medical staff of the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit attend to a wounded Canadian soldier at the field hospital at the Kandahar Airfield. Photo Credit Peter Andrews / Reuters files

By Lee Berthiaume
OTTAWA • Defence department figures released Wednesday put the final, official tally on the number of Canadian soldiers wounded during the 10-year Afghanistan combat mission at more than 2,000.
Twenty soldiers were wounded in action in 2011, the fewest since Canada took over responsibility of Kandahar in 2005. A further 168 received “non-battle injuries.”
That brings the total number of Canadian soldiers wounded in action during the mission (April 2002 to December 2011) at 635; another 1,412 suffered non-battle injuries.
Four Canadian soldiers were killed in 2011, bringing the total to 158.
History will show 2009 was the bloodiest year. Canadian soldiers suffered roadside and suicide bomb attacks while patrolling Kandahar, came under rocket and mortar attack in their encampments, and engaged in sporadic firefights with an elusive foe.
In that year alone, 454 Canadians were wounded and 32 were killed.
The Defence department classifies injuries and deaths in action as those suffered as a direct result of combat, including explosives, mines, rocket attacks and direct fire, as well as friendly fire incidents.
Non-battle injuries include traffic accidents, the accidental discharge of a weapon and other accidental injuries unrelated to combat.
The Defence figures do not include the thousands of Canadian soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress and other psychological damage.
A recent Defence department study predicted up to 13.2% of the 40,000 Canadians who served in Afghanistan could be suffering such injuries. Veterans Affairs Canada said 6,732 Afghan vets were receiving disability benefits as of Oct. 1, 2011.
While the end of the winding-down of the combat mission in Kandahar over the past two years saw the number of soldiers killed and wounded decline significantly, the presence of 950 Canadian military trainers in Kabul and two other sites in central Afghanistan until 2014 means the threat of injury and death has not disappeared.
Canadian soldiers helped fend off an insurgent attack on a NATO compound in Kabul in September, while Master Corporal Byron Greff was killed when a suicide bomber slammed a car into a NATO bus in October.
Postmedia News

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News Analysis: April 5 election in Afghanistan repudiation of Taliban monocracy
English.news.cn   2014-04-11 17:28:00     [More]

by Haleem

KABUL, April 11 (Xinhua) -- More than 7 million Afghans, including women, voted in polling centers across Afghanistan on April 5 despite threats of violence by the Taliban, a virtual repudiation of the militant group and its desire to regain power in the conflict-ridden country.

The election was for the position of Afghan president and members of the provincial councils or assemblies.

The final results of presidential elections will be announced on May 14. The five-year term of outgoing President Hamid Karzai' s expires on May 22 and his successor would assume office on May 23.

Observers here said that by ignoring Taliban threats and the high turnout in voting centers sent a clear message to the hardliner Taliban and similar insurgent groups that extremism does not enjoy the support of majority of Afghans. "Afghans by their huge participation in the elections on the voting day on Saturday demonstrated their support for democracy and their hatred toward the Taliban and fanaticism," Nazari Pariani, a respected Afghan journalist, told Xinhua.

Pariani, who is the editor in chief of the Daily Mandegar, said that the Taliban or any other groups that want to monopolize power and rule the country by force would never enjoy national support, adding that most Afghans want to live in peace.

The Taliban, which has fought the government and NATO-led forces in their bid to regain power in Afghanistan, had termed the elections as "waste of time and a U.S. ploy to continue its occupation of Afghanistan". The group has repeatedly warned Afghans to boycott the elections or face death or other forms of reprisal.

In pre-election statements, the Taliban vowed to target election workers and those who provide security for the election process. It had also warned to cut off the fingers of those who cast their ballots on the voting day.

Nonetheless, 7.5 million Afghans, 36 percent of them women, defied the Taliban warnings and trooped to the polling centers to enjoy their right of suffrage albeit amid tight security.

No major security incidents or suicide attacks by Taliban militants had been reported across the country on the Election Day.

"I was prepared to get my fingers chopped off by Taliban in exchange for my right to vote for the future of my country. Fortunately I was able to cast my vote in favor of my favorite candidate for the president of Afghanistan without any untoward incident," Fariha, a female university student, told Xinhua.

Fariha recalled the dark days of Taliban rule when they overrun Kabul in 1996, shut down all schools and confined women to houses. "I don't want to lose the achievements that Afghanistan has made over the past 12 years. I want Afghanistan to move ahead towards a brighter future and more peace and prosperity for its people," she said.

Taliban militants have actually chopped off fingers of several persons who voted in the 2009 Afghan elections. However, so far this year, no case of finger-chopping has been reported.

In reaction to the successful holding of April 5 Afghan elections, the Taliban in their statements termed it as "phony" elections and vowed to continue fighting until they succeed in the reestablishment of a hard-line Islamic rule in the country.

Since the huge participation of Afghans in the elections gives popular mandate to the next president, it would eventually empower the next government to take the country towards more stability and progress, although it will still face Taliban-led militancy in the years ahead, one analyst said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2014-04/11/c_133255750.htm


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Macleans.ca	Afghan president's visit to Canada quietly scrubbed amid Iraq debate Macleans.ca Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani listens to a question from the audience at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Wednesday, March 25, 2015. (Carolyn Kaster/AP/CP). OTTAWA – A series of diplomatic sources say Afghanistan's ... Afghan president's trip to Canada scrapped: SourcesCP24 Toronto's Breaking News Visit of new Afghan president scrubbedHamilton Spectator https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153261320346886&set=pcb.10153261331521886&type=1&theater  ---   Well, well, well- Switzerland has a neutral army- know they were in Afghanistan in some position- and Swedes are conscripted.... what do u think Canada? Good refreshing article from Feb. 2015- ARMED NEUTRALITY QUESTION PERIOD:  ARMED NEUTRALITY- Feb. 1, 2015 by Bensen Switzerland is an beautiful nation, rich in culture and history.  One of the terms commonly associated with Switzerland is “neutral”.  “I’m not picking a side, I’m Switzerland,” might be a common phrase to hear. Here’s the interesting thing, though: Switzerland has an army.  Yes, the nation that is known worldwide for being a peacekeeper has a very modern, well-trained army.  Men are actually required to serve in the Swiss Army for a time after turning 18. Armed neutrality isn’t just pursued by Switzerland, though they’re the best examples of the concept, much of Scandinavia and South America partake in the “non-aligned movement”, which aims to be a coalition of neutral nations committed to maintaining international peace. But what of Finland, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Mexico?  None of these states are neutral.  Should they be? For many of these states, known as “middle-powers”, there is a sizable movement to become armed and neutral.  For geographically isolated states like Australia (or South Africa, arguably) this would be far easier a feat than in Mexico or Canada (on either side of the United States, the antithesis of armed neutrality) or Finland (bordering Russia, see above). But a country like Mexico or Canada could, indeed, have the most to gain from armed neutrality.  The military could contribute far more to safety at home, and would end up saving money in the long run by avoiding costly war. Would suddenly bordering two neutral neighbours make the United States bristle?  Probably, but remember that Switzerland borders France, itself a fairly militarized state.  A neutral state is actually very beneficial to its neighbours in many senses; giving diplomats a common place to meet with adversaries (such as the U.S.-Iranian summit that took place in Bern last year).  Becoming an armed, neutral state could potentially catapult Canada or Mexico to an increased prominence in North America, and the entire hemisphere at large. What do you think?  Is armed neutrality a revolutionary future for middle powers, or an unrealistic fantasy?  Sound off in the poll below. https://technicolourful.wordpress.com/2015/02/01/question-period-armed-neutrality/ ------------- And there's the solution Canada- MAKING MENTAL HEALTH WORK ESPECIALLY WHEN OUR policing and public are involved with some potentially horrendous situations that need 2 be addressed.... let's get r done.... our Canada's Olympian Clara Hughes and our Military and Policing and First Responders and Youth- No Bullying Campaign is working... hell yeah.imho Hamilton police bring mental health workers along to frontlines http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/hamilton-police-bring-mental-health-workers-along-to-frontlines-1.2324222?fb_action_ids=10155480309570083&fb_action_types=og.shares
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Isaf Canadian Joint Task Force Afghanistan

References in popular culture . in 2002, author david pugliese published a book, canada's secret commandos: the unauthorized story of joint task force two in 2008.**i do not own any of the content within this video, this video is for a non-profit, educational purpose only.** a video i created with footage of the. Special operations forces' joint task force 2 general information.

Related Image with Isaf Canadian Joint Task Force Afghanistan

Www.forces.gc.ca is the official web site of the department of national defence and canadian forces. it is the best source of current and historical canadian military. Nato led the international security assistance force (isaf) in afghanistan from august 2003 to december 2014. isaf was deployed at the request of the.22 february 2011 kandahar, afghanistan members of 12e régiment blindé canada (12 rbc) patrol along route hyena with leopard c2 tanks, providing security.

Video Isaf Canadian Joint Task Force Afghanistan

Download Video/mp4 - Medium

Der auftrag besteht darin, die vorläufigen staatsorgane afghanistans und ihre nachfolgeinstitutionen bei der aufrechterhaltung der sicherheit in afghanistan so zu.802 new police ncos graduate in mazar-e sharif read more » senate delegation visits taac-e read more » references; videos; nato tv; nato in afghanistan; jfc brunssum.

Related video with Isaf Canadian Joint Task Force Afghanistan

http://apkxda.com/isaf_canadian_joint_task_force_afghanistan.html  

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Nice Share...

Captain Kamal Kalsi in Times Square Sept. 14, 2009, wearing his Army combat uniform digital camouflage turban along with his ACU uniform. Kalsi, who is the first Sikh in the U.S. Army, served as an emergency room doctor and emergency medical services director.

When Capt. Kamal Kalsi first arrived in the United States from his native India, he was a 2-year old toddler, who had been born into a Family with a long history of military service.

Kalsi marks the fourth generation of serving in the military, with his great-grandfather having served in the Royal British army and his grandfather and father having served in the air force in India. You can view the full article here: http://www.army.mil/…/fort-bragg-doctor-continues-family-hi…

Are you interested in joining the U.S. Army? You can begin the enlistment process here: https://goo.gl/forms/aQH9scPE24

https://www.facebook.com/ArmyFutureSoldierCenter/photos/a.413584395005.357535.292094465005/10155416001840006/?type=1&theater

 

 

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From The Toronto Star: "Canada’s survey of sunken wreck of Franklin expedition ship HMS Erebus would not be possible without the backing of Canadian Forces team." Read on by clicking below. ‪#‎StrongProudReadyJoint Task Force (North)

Franklin Expedition search: Canada’s military muscle makes it possible

Canada’s survey of sunken wreck of Franklin expedition ship HMS Erebus would not be possible without the backing of Canadian Forces team

 

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/04/13/franklin-expedition-search-canadas-military-muscle-makes-it-possible.html

 

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COUNTERTERROR FIGHT

04.15.155:25 AM ET

Meet the General Shaking Up America’s Yemen, ISIS, and Hostage Rescue Plans

Lieutenant General Bennet Sacolick’s little-known office is grabbing the spotlight with its review of U.S. hostage policy and ISIS and Yemen strategy.

Army Lieutenant General Bennet S. Sacolick still remembers the call: The body of an American hostage had been found in Iraq.

It was 2004, and the Iraqi insurgency was building momentum. Four Blackwater USA contractors had recently been killed and their burned bodies hung from a bridge in Fallujah. The Mahdi army, a Shia militia created by cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, was rising up and Sacolick, then a colonel, was commanding a special operations task force in Iraq.

After the call, Sacolick and his men tracked down the insurgents and captured or killed the group responsible for the kidnapping. It was a single-minded hunt with little concern for anything but the location of the next target. Sacolick never considered the victim’s family—either during the hunt for the insurgents or after the body was recovered near an overpass. The family wasn’t part of the mission.

“The Iraqis would love for us to fight their fight for them, but it is a bad idea.”

“We eventually were able to kill or capture every single one of them, but I never associated that with a family back home,” said Sacolick, who asked that the victim not be named for privacy reasons. “I’ve since met the family and they are wonderful people, and now I’m on the other end of it and I realize there is a huge tail associated with hostages. Maybe that was my own personal maturing process, when you realize there was more to it than just what is going on in my battle space in Iraq.”

That disconnect between those trying to free the hostage and the family waiting for news of their loved ones is one reason the Obama administration ordered a review of how the U.S. government handles hostage negotiations and rescues. Sacolick, now director of the strategic operational planning directorate, was tapped to oversee the review, thrusting his little known planning office at the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) into the spotlight.

While not household names, Sacolick and his office play an integral role in the United States’ counterterrorism fight. They are the architects of the strategy to combat terrorism worldwide, including the plan to destroy ISIS. In a rare interview, Sacolick talked to The Daily Beast about the ongoing hostage review; how his office is rewriting the strategy in Yemen from scratch as the country disintegrates into a civil war; and how his office is revising the plan to degrade and defeat ISIS as Iranian-backed militias lead an offensive in Tikrit.

***

The hostage police review was ordered by President Obama in August, shortly after the video emerged showing journalist James Foley’s death. The families were not invited to be a part of the review until December. Christine Wormuth, the undersecretary of defense for policy, said last year that the review will include a “specific emphasis on examining family engagement, intelligence collection, and diplomatic engagement policies.”

Typically, the FBI is the leading agency that deals with the families. Military special operations units often conduct the rescue, with recent attempts in both Yemen and Syria. Much of the criticism of how the U.S. government handles hostage negotiations focuses on turf wars between the government agencies, poor leadership, and a lack of compassion and communication with the families. Foley’s parents said they felt ignored by U.S. officials.

The Daily Beast has spoken with several families who said they are not regularly updated and that information gathered by different agencies is not shared, often forcing families to serve as a bridge. The families also said there is no clear hostage policy, creating an ad hoc system that leads to delays and a breakdown of communication.

The review started with letters to families and former hostages. Sacolick and his team interviewed in person every single family who lost a loved one or had a loved one still in captivity.

“I am the honest broker in the process,” Sacolick said. “I am working directly for the White House.”

In addition to interviewing families of hostages and former hostages, the review team consulted with experts in the government, think tanks, and representatives of four countries. The interviews brought back Sacolick’s experience in Iraq, he said. Connecting the people pursuing the safe recovery of a hostage with the people talking to the family is an important step, he added.

“We just don’t do a great job of keeping families informed,” Sacolick said. “We can do better. It is the most traumatic experience of their life. We can do much better at providing, not just leveraging, all elements of this great, wonderful government to bring their loved ones back home and doing a better job keeping them informed. Right now there is a disconnect.”

Sacolick declined to reveal any of the recommendations in his upcoming report besides a need for better communication with the families. He said the review is about halfway complete and is expected later this spring.

***

The hostage review is one of the highest profile projects on Sacolick’s desk, but his daily challenge is mapping out the United States’ counterterrorism strategy.

“Trust me, someone is scheming against a U.S. Embassy somewhere on this planet every single day,” Sacolick said. “There are threats emanating from half a dozen countries. It keeps you up at night, but I am really comfortable with our country’s posture to prevent that.”

Sacolick said his career, which has spanned three decades, was good preparation for his current job. Sitting in his office, Sacolick’s walls tell the story of that career. A framed plaque commemorates his tour as commanding general of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, where he oversaw the training of the Army’s special operations forces. And a framed flag marks his stint as commander of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta, more commonly known as Delta Force.

Sacolick enlisted in the Army in 1981 and served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion before earning his commission a year later. He has commanded at the detachment, troop, squadron, group, and task force level, including 12 years in Delta Force as a unit and task force commander during the Iraq War. He has seen combat in Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan, according to his biography.

“I’ve been involved in every aspect of combating terror at every single level for the past 30 years,” Sacolick said.

And it shows in the ways the United States is fighting ISIS and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the terror outfit’s branch in Yemen. Sacolick’s first special operations command was with the 7th Special Forces Group, training and mentoring soldiers from Latin American nations including Colombia, Peru, and El Salvador. He sees the partnerships with local forces as the way forward, especially in Iraq.

“The introduction of American ground forces in large numbers is not the answer,” he said. “What will we achieve that we couldn’t achieve 10 years ago? Why is now going to be any different? We’ll just get sucked into a black hole. The Iraqis would love for us to fight their fight for them, but it is a bad idea.”

Sacolick said the American people wouldn’t accept another massive deployment of conventional troops as in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I think they accept the small footprint that Special Forces provides,” he said, adding that small numbers of conventional troops like the 82nd Airborne Division Trainers in Iraq could fit that bill, too.

But that model depends on a partnership with the local government. Take Yemen, where the government was overthrown by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. That forced the United States to remove its special operations forces from the country—hampering counterterrorism operations and drone strikes against AQAP, generally considered the most dangerous of the al Qaeda affiliates.

With Saudi Arabia leading a coalition against the rebels, the violence in Yemen has turned into a regional proxy war. Sacolick’s staff is rewriting its Yemen strategy, touted as the president’s counterterror model, from scratch as conditions on the ground shift daily.

“They were supporting our CT [counterterrorism] efforts,” Sacolick said. “Now that government is on the verge of collapse. It is really concerning. We’re talking about it every day. That is one of those areas where we let it play out.”

But finding willing partners with a more stable government is hard. Kurdish Peshmerga units are making progress against ISIS in Syria and northern Iraq. But the same can’t be said for the Iraqi army. Defense officials announced plans to oust ISIS from Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, this spring. Iraqi officials said their forces aren’t ready, however.

Iranian military advisers and militia fighters have had some success mobilizing the Iraqis, leading an offensive against Tikrit last month. But the Iraqis’ first major counterattack against ISIS stalled, forcing the U.S. to break the stalemate with airstrikes. With the city liberated last week, the militia victory turned into an orgy of looting and lynching, according to media reports.

***

Between 80,000 and 100,000 militia fighters are in Iraq fighting ISIS, and the influx of Iranian fighters and influence is a concern, Sacolick said.

“As long as they take their orders from Baghdad, I think we’ll be OK,” he said. “Those were the guys we were fighting five years ago. What happens when rogue elements decide they don’t like the U.S. Embassy? This is a consideration. We look at this all the time.”

Sacolick said ISIS poses a much bigger threat to Iran than the U.S., which could be a good thing.

“When ISIL took down Mosul and were moving on Baghdad, you don’t think my counterpart in the Iranian government wasn’t in a panic?” Sacolick said, using the government’s preferred acronym for ISIS. “That was probably the most significant national security crisis they’ve had in a very, very long time. Let’s leverage them. I am sure they’d love to have American soldiers die on their behalf, but I’d prefer to have Iranian ones.”

Sacolick’s staff is reworking the strategy against ISIS, and the revision is due this month. Sacolick said the shelf life for any strategy is about 36 months before it needs to be updated, but he is optimistic that the overall plan is working.

“We’ve been able to disrupt ISIL’s momentum,” he said. “They completely overwhelmed Mosul and they were on the heels of Baghdad. We were able to disrupt their momentum. We were able to affect their ability to communicate. We were able to affect their ability to mass. We were able to affect their ability to maneuver.”

***

At the end of the day, Sacolick knows the United States can’t shoot its way to victory. The only way to win is to change minds, and that fight begins on social media. A first step is confronting ISIS’s massive social network, which produces almost 100,000 tweets a day.

“Their social media apparatus is out of control,” Sacolick said. “We’re just starting to develop a strategy, a plan to address it, and it is a tough one. I just don’t think America appreciates the significance of that. Three middle-class schoolgirls decide they want to be freedom fighters in Syria. How does this happen in our country? How do we address that?”

Brookings analysts J.M. Berger and Jonathon Morgan found current efforts to combat ISIS’s social media campaign wanting, according to a March analysis on ISIS’s Twitter activity. Morgan and Berger said counter messages from the State Department were only moderately effective, and most watchers on Twitter tuned in to see who won the argument. Rita Katz, director of the SITE Intelligence Group, called the State Department’s counter-messaging program an “embarrassment,” according to the report.

Morgan and Berger argue that any counter messaging has to come from a third party not affiliated with the U.S. government. Sacolick said a third party from a Muslim country like Jordan or the United Arab Emirates is needed to spread an anti-terror message.

“We have over 60 countries that want to help in some capacity,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be dollars or dropping bombs.”

But Sacolick acknowledged there isn’t a single solution to combating terrorism or a grand strategy to achieve victory, despite his mission. In the end, it will take battles on all fronts—military, economic, diplomatic—to make any real difference.

“We won World War II because we were part of a coalition,” Sacolick said. “Maybe we need some 21st-century [version] of that. Where is that community of the willing that all view terrorism as a threat to their national interest? That is what will be required.”

 

 

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/15/meet-the-general-shaking-up-america-s-yemen-isis-and-hostage-rescue-plans.html

 

 

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AFGHANISTAN-  ISAF- Resolute Support Mission – Nato Troops

Resolute Support Mission

3 hrs · 

NATO's Afghan web documentary Return to Hope has been nominated for a Webby award -- and we can't win without your help! Please vote for us here: http://goo.gl/GO4FKu

http://www.returntohope.com/stories

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Two decades ago, European nations contributed more than 40 percent of U.N. peacekeepers, she said in a speech in Brussels. It's less than 7 percent now. U ASK WHY CANADIANS AND AMERICANS UK-AUSSIES-KIWIS NOT SIGNING UP... why should they when the monsters are treasured over the victims?

U.S., UN press Europe to return to peacekeeping

By Cara Anna, The Associated Press 8:31 a.m. EDT March 26, 2015

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/03/26/us-un-press-europe-to-return-to-peacekeeping/70477138/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

-------- 

We have been trying 2 reach 2 for some seniors and diabiled with their income tax.... Rec centre (contact  902 679-2539 (Gillian) can have the hall from 8 - 2pm free- BUT NOW WE NEED VOLUNTEERS 2 DO THE INCOMETAX FOR SENIOR AND DISABLED ONLY.... can u put it out on the air waves please DATES- 17 and 24th April   FREE.   we would so appreciate your help.  (Gillian at the town hall is the one 2 speak 2 ... we call her xfiles ).... Canada AVR help us track some volunteers- it would -AGAIN- only be 4 seniors and disabled.  could not get answer on ur phone.

The reason we have to be careful about how we talk about suicide is that, however inevitable depression may be, suicide is preventable. Suicide rates vary and fluctuate all the time, between genders and eras and places. People are dying, daily, from our inability to talk about mental health properly. Partly, this is unavoidable. We simply don’t know enough about how the brain works. Neuroscience is a baby science, a mere century old, and our scientific understanding of the brain is nowhere near where we’d like it to be. We know more about the moons of Jupiter than what is inside of our skulls.

But there are things we can do right now to save lives. One is to talk about mental illness in exactly the same way as we talk about physical illness, without either demonising or glamorising. Sure, depressed people are often drawn to creative areas, as an outlet. By externalising internal feelings we make them more bearable. But we must be wary of any kind of us/them situation.

“The parts of me that used to think I was different or smarter or whatever, almost made me die,” said the American novelist David Foster Wallace, who did indeed end up killing himself in 2008.

Kurt Cobain was not a 'tortured genius', he had an illness

21 years after the death of Kurt Cobain, novelist Matt Haig says the way we glamorise the suicides of famous artists inhibits our understanding of mental illness

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/11515605/Kurt-Cobain-was-not-a-tortured-genius-he-had-an-illness.html 

-----------

SGT. AT ARMS- KEVIN VICKERS - hero

love u- thank u.... hug Ireland 4 us.... they are so lucky... and so is our Canada... u did ur job... and did it brilliant- God bless our troops, our kids and our Canada.   He puts the A in yippee-yi-yA- Motherf**er....

Stephen Colbert - Ottawa Shooting - Sings National Anthem "O Canada" - 10/29/2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIzRNMbuT24

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Ukrainian deployment 'significant'

200 Canadian troops to train military forces

BY BETTY ANN ADAM, THE STARPHOENIX APRIL 15, 2015 8:58 AM

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Ukrainian+deployment+significant/10973073/story.html

------------------- 

“The big thing is, the parents were wise enough to report that their daughters were missing,” Supt. Best said. “It basically came back to the good sense of the parents to have reported them missing and to have been very candid in describing what they believed to be the case: that they had left for Syria.”

The investigator on the case reached the RCMP liaison officer in Cairo early in the morning local time. The liaison officer immediately began canvassing his contacts in the Egyptian police, who managed to find the girls before their flight to Istanbul departed. The Egyptians held the girls and returned them to Canada on July 17.

“In this particular case, everything that could go right went right,” Supt. Best said.

How RCMP officers tracked three Canadian girls in Egypt before they could join ISIL in Syria

 

Stewart Bell | April 15, 2015 11:37 AM ET

More from Stewart Bell | @StewartBellNP

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/how-rcmp-tracked-canadian-girls-in-egypt-before-they-could-join-isis-in-syria

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in Canada's history the only designated Catholic church in the whole country.... with Canada's history of France and Britain wars over ownership of our Canada.... well on this day women equal men by law in our Canada... our children f**king mattr- and no religion will ever steal or hijack our nation.... and globally there are 3.4 Billion Christians... we'll take baby!.... in Canada women's rights trump any religion... #1BRising - we'll take it... Pope Francis loves us....  Afghan women rose in the millions stomping over the vicious Taliban Islamic baby killing machine and sleeting rain... and voted.... proving humanity lives in this world... and their devotion in telling us our Canadian troops and ISAF troops did NOT die in vain.... we'll take it. And God bless a local mayor 4 not giving up on Canada's founding traditions in our bilingual nation of over 200 Cultures... our Canada.  hugs and love from Old momma nova...

Supreme Court rules prayers can't continue at Quebec council meeting

By: The Canadian Press

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/faith/newsalert-supreme-court-rules-prayers-cant-continue-at-quebec-council-meeting-299837901.html

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VOTE-  we fought so hard as women as disabled as people of minorities....VOTE.... Afghan women marched on April 5, 2014 in the millions in the face and horror of Taliban Islamic Baby Killing machine and horrific weather- from mountains 2 villages 2 small towns 2 cities... and voted with their mommas, grandmas, sisters, cousins and brought their kids and youngbloods and elders.... they were defiiant beautiful, bold and brilliantly strong Afghan women.... IMAGINE AFTER ALL THE HORROR.... Afghan women voted.....proving the world's greatest will of basic humanity and freedoms is more powerful than evil.   Afghan women proved 2 the world that our Canadian troops - your troops... ISAF troops did NOT die in vain.... VOTE.... VOTE... GET OF YOUR ASSES- GET YOUR PROPER ID... AND GET OUT AND VOTE... honour yourselves and your families... and that nation that embraces u and gives u hope.... Sweet Jesus, Mother Mary and Joseph.... Afghan women walked the talk on bombs and poison and acid and purest evil... and voted...... on April 5, 2014 and created the bravest of the brave  #1BRising..... so vote... imho. God bless our troops.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153261975816886&set=a.10152685943101886.1073741826.627936885&type=1&theater

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Russia laments 'political games' as foreign minister set to miss Arctic Council

ublished: Wednesday, 04/15/2015 12:00 am EDT

Two years ago at a conference in Norway, a high-ranking Russian official elaborated on the benefits of developing an economic-focused approach to the Arctic. 

·         More Related To This Story

·         Analysts say difficult to tell if Canada’s sanctions on Russia having impact

·         Russia's new ambassador faces 'loudspeaker diplomacy' over Ukraine

·         'Canadian interests' threatened by Polar Code: Transport Canada

Yevgeny Lukyanov, deputy secretary of Russia’s security council, told an Arctic Frontiers conference in January 2013 that about 11 per cent of Russian GDP is produced in the region and that the resources there were essential for the economic prosperity of the country. 

At the same conference, Canadian Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who would become the chair of the Arctic Council a few months later, talked of "creating economic growth" with the "help of our Arctic Council partners.” 

Canada would eventually oversee the creation of the Arctic Economic Council, something the Russian Embassy says it welcomed, and still considers one of Canada’s main achievements during its term at the head of the multilateral body.

But by the time the economic council held its first meeting last fall, Russia-Canada relations had soured tremendously. The Conservative government began taking a hard line against Russia after what Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called “Russia’s invasion and illegal occupation of Ukraine.” Canada has sent its military to carry out missions in Eastern Europe and will now be sending soldiers to train Ukrainian forces against "Russian aggression." Over the past year Canada has slapped sanctions on dozens of Russians, and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said in February that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been “behaving like a terrorist."

Ms. Aglukkaq boycotted an Arctic Council meeting in Moscow last fall to protest Russian action in Crimea. Now, the Russian Embassy informed media over the weekend, its foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, will miss the upcoming Arctic Council meeting in Iqaluit on April 24-25—the last meeting featuring Canada as chair of the council—and would be sending its natural resources and environment minister, Sergey Donskoi, instead.

The decision did not come lightly, and according to a Russian official had been expected for several weeks. But the embassy says it was not in retaliation for Ms. Aglukkaq's boycott.

“There was no question of retaliation, no,” said Kirill Kalinin, second secretary of the political section and press secretary of the Russian Embassy, in an interview with Embassy. “The only question that arose out of the situation is that unfortunately Mr. Lavrov has a very tight schedule."

But the deep freeze runs deeper than missed ministerial connections: the embassy says it is largely frozen out of all diplomatic activity in Ottawa these days.

"We've been deprived of the opportunity to meet with the Canadian government, with our colleagues in the department of foreign affairs, to discuss vitally important issues. Of course that's very unfortunate,” said Mr. Kalinin. 

“Our main task is total normalization of ties between Russia and Canada, and co-operation in the Arctic is one of the fields where we strive to do that. We don’t believe that there should be any sort of political games around the Arctic. We should be focused on helping each other and co-operating.”

The Arctic “is a territory for dialogue, not confrontation,” argued Mr. Kalinin. “We should be working together closely, no matter what kind of issues we might have.”

Russian ‘threats’ 

Dialogue with Russia isn’t exactly a Canadian priority right now. Canada announced April 14 that it would be deploying "approximately 200 Canadian Armed Forces personnel" to Ukraine until spring 2017, to train "Ukrainian forces personnel," explicitly to help Ukraine "in its efforts to maintain sovereignty, security and stability in the face of Russian aggression."

As well, speaking to reporters via teleconference on April 10, Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino outlined how an annual military operation in the North showed how “we can be proud of the response of our Canadian Armed Forces to the threats posed by the Russians.”

Operation Nunalivut, based around Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, is a “large scale military exercise” with army, navy and air force participation, according to National Defence. The affair is sometimes billed as a device for military diplomacy. In 2013, for example, the military said the operation would welcome observers from Norway. This year, a press release did state that “many community, allied and governmental partners” would be involved.

Mr. Fantino would only name the United States through NORAD as foreign observers. “They are present here, they are part of our North American defence system, they’re part of the exercise. And other than that, it’s for the most part Canadian assets, Canadian interests and Canadian government representatives,” he said during the teleconference.

It's only the latest military effort to be tied to anti-Russian sentiment by Ottawa, as tensions continue to rise. Last year Canada stood up an air task force in Romania featuring six CF-18 fighter jets and 200 personnel, the defence department says, and relocated in September to Lithuania, which borders Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad. This March, Canada sent 125 soldiers as part of "multinational training opportunities." 

cmeyer@embassynews.ca
@ottawacarl

More from Embassy - Canada's Foreign Policy Newspaper

http://www.embassynews.ca/news/2015/04/15/russia-laments-political-games-as-foreign-minister-set-to-miss-arctic-council/46962

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Fallen Canadian Soldiers From the War in Afghanistan

We Remember Pakistan- beautiful children and women   #1BRising

 ----



God bless our beloved Afghanistan.... God loves Afghans... and so do Canadians

 


very critical 2 mid- 2000s..... and treatment of the monsters??? UN/NATO STYLE- destroy ur troops at home who fought and gave u all ur freedoms... and baby and hug ur Monsters???? Seriously???




One Pissed off Canadian Housewife ON DEVOTION 2 OUR TROOPS... CANADA STYLE

 This is very good PLEASE read....


 Thought you might like to read this letter  to the editor.  Ever notice how some people just seem to know how to write a letter?

 This one surely does!

 This was written by a Canadian woman, but oh how

 it also applies to the U.S.A., U.K. and Australia .



 THIS ONE PACKS A FIRM PUNCH

 Written by a housewife in New Brunswick , to

 her local newspaper. This is one ticked off lady...



"Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was

 it or was it not, started by Islamic people who

 brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001

 and have continually threatened to do so since?



Were people from all over the world, not brutally murdered

 that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from

 the capitol of the USA and in a field in Pennsylvania?

 Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

 Do you think I care about four U. S. Marines urinating on some dead Taliban insurgents?



 And I'm supposed to care that a few Taliban were

 claiming to be tortured by a justice system of a

 nation they are fighting against in a brutal Insurgency.



 I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle

 East, start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere belief

 of which, is a crime punishable by beheading in Afghanistan .



I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are

 sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head, while Berg

 screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.



I'll care when the cowardly so-called insurgents

 in Afghanistan , come out and fight like men,

 instead of disrespecting their own religion by

 hiding in Mosques and behind women and children.

 I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow

 themselves up in search of Nirvana, care about the

 innocent children within range of their suicide Bombs.



I'll care when the Canadian media stops pretending that

 their freedom of Speech on stories, is more important than

 the lives of the soldiers on the ground or their families waiting

 at home, to hear about them when something happens.



In the meantime, when I hear a story about a

 CANADIAN soldier roughing up an Insurgent

 terrorist to obtain information, know this:

 I don't care.

 When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the

 head when he is told not to move because he

 might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank:



I don't care. Shoot him again.



 When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food, that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe, in your heart of hearts:

 I don't care.
 

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes

 it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.'

 Well, Jimmy Crack Corn you guessed it.



I don't care!!



If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to

 all your E-mail Friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to

 the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!



If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete

 button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't

 complain when more atrocities committed by radical

 Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:



Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering, if

 during their life on earth, they made a difference in

 the world. But, the Soldiers don't have that problem.

 I have another quote that I would like to

 share AND...I hope you forward All this.



One last thought for the day:



Only five defining forces have ever offered to die for you:



 

 

1. Jesus Christ

 2. The British Soldier.

 3. The Canadian Soldier.

 4. The US Soldier, and

 5. The Australian Soldier

 One died for your soul,

 the other four, for you and your children's Freedom.  

 

YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON,

 AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET!







and...



A Canadian female libertarian wrote a lot of letters to the Canadian government, complaining about the treatment of captive insurgents (terrorists) being held in Afghanistan National Correctional System facilities. She demanded a response to her letter. She received back the following reply:

　

National Defense Headquarters

M Gen George R. Pearkes Bldg.,

15 NT 101 Colonel By Drive Ottawa , ON

K1A 0K2

　

Canada Dear Concerned Citizen,

　

Thank you for your recent letter expressing your profound concern of treatment of the Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists captured by Canadian Forces, who were subsequently transferred to the Afghanistan Government and are currently being held by Afghan officials in Afghanistan National Correctional System facilities. Our administration takes these matters seriously and your opinions were heard loud and clear here in Ottawa . You will be pleased to learn, thanks to the concerns of citizens like yourself, we are creating a new department here at the Department of National Defense, to be called 'Liberals Accept Responsibility for Killers' program, or L.A.R.K. for short.

In accordance with the guidelines of this new program, we have decided, on a trial basis, to divert several terrorists and place them in homes of concerned citizens such as yourself, around the country, under those citizen's personal care. Your personal detainee has been selected and is scheduled for transportation under heavily armed guard to your residence in Toronto next Monday.

Ali Mohammed Ahmed bin Mahmud is your detainee, and is to be cared for pursuant to the standards you personally demanded in your letter of complaint. You will be pleased to know that we will conduct weekly inspections to ensure that your standards of care for Ahmed are commensurate with your recommendations.

Although Ahmed is a sociopath and extremely violent, we hope that your sensitivity to what you described as his 'attitudinal problem' will help him overcome those character flaws. Perhaps you are correct in describing these problems as mere cultural differences. We understand that you plan to offer counseling and home schooling, however, we strongly recommend that you hire some assistant caretakers.

Please advise any Jewish friends, neighbors or relatives about your house guest, as he might get agitated or even violent, but we are sure you can reason with him. He is also expert at making a wide variety of explosive devices from common household products, so you may wish to keep those items locked up, unless in your opinion, this might offend him. Your adopted terrorist is extremely proficient in hand-to-hand combat and can extinguish human life with such simple items as a pencil or nail clippers. We advise that you do not ask him to demonstrate these skills either in your home or wherever you choose to take him while helping him adjust to life in our country.

Ahmed will not wish to interact with you or your daughters except sexually, since he views females as a form of property, thereby having no rights, including refusal of his sexual demands. This is a particularly sensitive subject for him.

You also should know that he has shown violent tendencies around women who fail to comply with the dress code that he will recommend as more appropriate attire. I'm sure you will come to enjoy the anonymity offered by the burka over time. Just remember that it is all part of 'respecting his culture and religious beliefs' as described in your letter.

You take good care of Ahmed and remember that we will try to have a counselor available to help you over any difficulties you encounter while Ahmed is adjusting to Canadian culture.

Thanks again for your concern. We truly appreciate it when folks like you keep us informed of the proper way to do our job and care for our fellow man. Good luck and God bless you.

Cordially,

Gordon O'Connor

Minister of National Defense




------------------

 














-----

GOOD NEWS MAY 2015
Good Morning Freedom- God bless Afghanistan

Afghans protest against Taliban militants in Kabul
 Hundreds of Afghans staged a peaceful protest against Taliban militants and to support Afghan national security forces on Monday.
 Hundreds of Afghans staged a peaceful protest against Taliban militants and to support Afghan national security forces on Monday. (Xinhua/Rahmin)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2015-05/11/c_134229613.htm

---------------

QUOTE:
Still, Pakistan’s government claims to have done away with a distinction they have been accused of making for decades between so-called “good Taliban”, who fought against a detested Kabul regime and their western and Indian allies, and the “bad Taliban” fighting for a full-blown sharia state in Pakistan.

Baloch said there was now “no question of good or bad”. “We don’t have any good, and they don’t have any good. We have bad and they have bad. We have understood that now,” he said.


 Afghanistan and Pakistan thaw relations with pledge to fight terrorism together

Nawaz Sharif and Ashraf Ghani look to reset foreign policy between two countries after years of support for Afghan Taliban from Islamabad
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/12/afghanistan-and-pakistan-thaw-relations-with-pledge-to-fight-terrorism-together

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Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canada - we love u dearly.... dearly

Welcome Message from Consul General

Welcome to the website of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Toronto. The Consulate General of Afghanistan in Toronto as a representative office of Afghanistan in Toronto maintains the interest of Afghanistan and its people in Canada and has a prominent role for developing mutual relations of consular, economic and cultural nature, with the people and government of Canada.
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan values the assistance of Canada to Afghanistan for their common struggle against terrorism, economic development and reconstruction of our country. The Consulate General of Afghanistan in Toronto will try to reflect the details of above-mentioned cooperation through this website.
The Consulate General of Afghanistan in Toronto would like to draw the attention of website visitors to the information about consular and trading affairs in details and the necessary forms related to it, given in this website.
We hope this website would help you understand Afghanistan and its relationship with Canada. I would also like to invite you to visit this website more often and provide us with your questions and comments to improve it and make it more useful for our visitors.
Regards,
Ms. Nazifa Langaryan
Consul General.

• ·                   Pages

  o    Afghanistan at a glance

  o    Constitution

  o    Birth Certificate

  o    Economy

  o    Fees

  o    History

  o    Police Clearence

  o    Investment

  o    Tazkara

  o    Politics & Government

  o    Single

  ·                   Forms

  Birth Certificate
  Confirming Driver's License
  Confirming Education Documents
  Data Form
  Passport Extension
  Passport Application Form
  Police Clearance
  Tazkara
  Visa Application Form
  Visa Waiver

http://cgoa.ca/