quote:

Originally posted by GGHG:
The losses are in good measure due to a single factor that the media rarely points out. The devastating cutbacks to the CF over the last 40-years have made them too small to fight a credible ground war with 2,300 troops when a brigade would be hard pressed to clear out the enemy long enough to get PRT's in to help develop a positive relationship with the locals and the Afghanistan government, or at least allow the CDN. troops to get Afghan army and police units installed over a long enough period to improve the situation. Todate we win all the major and minor battles, but because we defeat the enemy, but can't hold the ground due to lack of resources, it gets ceded back to the drug lords, Taliban, et al time and time again, not to mention the deadly toll due to IED attacks. That was a defeat and leave policy was a failure in Vietnam, and the reason why things must change with more NATO load sharing to make this work.

That's supposed to change with an influx of US troops.

Notable in this report is the item that the base population will double to 24 000 troops with the addition of another 12 000 Americans.

CF took over operations in Halmand three years ago - but it was never a purely Canadian operation. Obviously with a population of
12 000 at Kandahar base and 2 500 of those being Canadian, the Canadians have been punching well outside their weight class.

Of those 2 500 you have to count at least half in logistics or support roles. With Canadian committments to training police and civil reconstraction, it would be a stretch to think that more than a third of deployed personnel were available for combat operations.

Add to that the cultural difficulty of identifying 'good' Afghans from 'bad' Afghans more than a kilometer off base and the Canadian difficulty becomes more apparent.

Most Canadian casualties have occurred on 'secure' roads within 20 kilometers of the base, in transit to the Panjwai district where Canadian operations have been going on for three years.

Considering it's three years into a 'peacemaking' mission, the loss of nine young Canadians in a month is tragic.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: popsiq,

quote:

Posted Mon 29 December 2008 08:20 AM
That's supposed to change with an influx of US troops.

Notable in this report is the item that the base population will double to 24 000 troops with the addition of another 12 000 Americans.

Yes the CDN. took over Kandahar Province from the US in 2004, (our second time there the first being in 2002), and have seen ops also in nearby Helmund Province for our conventional forces. JTF-2, one can only imagine where those troops have been.

quote:

Obviously with a population of
12 000 at Kandahar base and 2 500 of those being Canadian, the Canadians have been punching well outside their weight class.

Of those 2 500 you have to count at least half in logistics or support roles. With Canadian committments to training police and civil reconstraction, it would be a stretch to think that more than a third of deployed personnel were available for combat operations.

Yes, one only needs to watch the media reports to see we are only fielding a re-enforced Bn., which is much too small for the job being asked of it. With the 6-month rotos our 9-Bn. (not including our new Spec. Ops Reg't.) belonging to the R22nd, RCR, and PPCLI, many of our combat and combat support troops have seen 3 or more tours as a norm. Putting this level of pressure on the troops and their families is having a negative affect, and I fear as many in military circles have, that by 2011, we will have lost too many soldiers who quit the military due to this unreasonable burden on too few numbers. Unfortunately the politicians have not supported the troops with the funding and scaled down commitment that would have allowed the CF to rebuild itself.

quote:

Add to that the cultural difficulty of identifying 'good' Afghans from 'bad' Afghans more than a kilometer off base and the Canadian difficulty becomes more apparent.

Most Canadian casualties have occurred on 'secure' roads within 20 kilometers of the base, in transit to the Panjwai district where Canadian operations have been going on for three years.

Considering it's three years into a 'peacemaking' mission, the loss of nine young Canadians in a month is tragic.

Any loss is tragic, but losses due to a lack of manpower can be pointed at the US politico's who lost focus and went to Iraq instead of staying the course, and the abject failure of the Euro NATO members, (with a few notable exceptions), have not kept the faith and stood by the NATO members that are fighting the good fight. This has brought about the failed policy of moving into an area, defeating the enemy and ceding it back to the enemy. I can only imagine the thoughts going through the minds of the survivors of IED attacks, when they know we've been over this ground so many times.

Yet another tragic loss. My condolences to the family and comrades of the fallen, as before.

From the CEFCOM website:

quote:

News Release
One Canadian soldier killed and three injured in Afghanistan
CEFCOM NR-09.001 - January 7, 2009

OTTAWA – One Canadian soldier was killed and three others were injured when their armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device approximately 35 kilometres north of Kandahar City in the Shah Wali Kowt District. The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m., Kandahar time, on January 7, 2009.

The fallen soldier is Trooper Brian Richard Good, from The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. Trooper Good was serving with the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield. All three soldiers are reported to be in good condition. Their names will not be released.

The thoughts and prayers of every member of Joint Task Force Afghanistan are with Trooper Good’s family and friends during this very difficult time. Despite our grief...

Picture of Trp. Good

Here are the comments by Governor General Michaelle Jean of Canada upon hearing of the loss of another Canadian Soldier in Afghanistan just today, Jan. 31, 2009:

From the Governor General's official website:

quote:

Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the death of Sapper Sean Greenfield
January 31, 2009

OTTAWA— My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were overwhelmed when we heard that another Canadian Forces soldier, Sapper Sean Greenfield from 2 Combat Engineer Regiment based at CFB Petawawa, was fatally wounded by an improvised explosive device while conducting a security patrol, 40 km west of Kandahar City.

Attacks like these are ongoing and violence continues to rage in Afghanistan. The bravery and determination with which Canadian soldiers conduct their work and face terror on a daily basis is truly astounding. They are convinced of the importance of helping the Afghan people, of standing up to hatred...

...Our hearts and thoughts are with Sapper Sean Greenfield’s family, friends and comrades in arms, as they have suffered a heartbreaking loss...

Sadly, this is the 108th CDN. soldier KIA.

Another terrible loss.

From CBC:

quote:

3 Canadian soldiers killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown (DND)Three Canadian soldiers were killed and two injured in Afghanistan after an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle.

Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, Cpl. Dany Fortin and Cpl. Kenneth O'Quinn were killed Tuesday evening when a roadside bomb detonated during a patrol in Arghandab District, about 10 kilometres northwest of Kandahar City, said Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance.

The soldiers were sent into the area as part of Canada's Quick Reaction Force to respond to a call by the Afghan National Police after an IED was found on the main supply route, said Maj. Rob Dunn.

The soldiers were able to defuse that bomb and were returning to base when their patrol struck another roadside device, Dunn said.

'Canada lost three outstanding soldiers.'
—Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance

Brown served with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, Fortin with 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing Bagotville and O'Quinn with 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron.

"Canada lost three outstanding soldiers," Vance said, "men who were dedicated to their country — to making a difference here in Afghanistan so that others could have hope of a peaceful...

(...)

My condolences to the family and comrades of this Soldier.

quote:

Canadian soldier killed by roadside bomb
Updated Sun. Mar. 8 2009 4:21 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier has been killed and four injured when a roadside bomb exploded near their armoured vehicle while on patrol northeast of Kandahar city Sunday.
Trooper Marc Diab from the Royal Canadian Dragoons has been identified as the slain soldier. Diab, 22, was a member of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.
The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to a medical facility at the Kandahar airfield and are all in stable condition, the military says. They will be transported soon to a U.S. military hospital in Germany.

(...)

Diab is the 112th Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan. A Canadian diplomat and two Canadian aid workers have also been killed over the course of the insurgency.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, said the young soldier died in "pursuit of a noble goal."

(...)

Good God. If true, this has got to be the largest single loss in one day ever so far for the CF in Afghanistan. The losses occurred in 2 different bomb incidents, but they both still occurred at the same day.



So far I haven't seen any reference about it on the major networks here like CBC, but SUN MEDIA/CANOE is a respectable smaller network since it is a subsidiary of the bigger company named Quebecor. Still, I will post this here for everyone's reference as we await for the official announcement CEFCOM/DND website.

Update: It's just been confirmed on CBC's website.

From the SUN MEDIA/CANOE website:

quote:

Fri, March 20, 2009
Four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
UPDATED: 2009-03-20 13:53:03 MST

By Grant LaFleche, SUN MEDIA


Four Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan yesterday.
Port Colborne resident Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, was killed sometime Thursday. He was based out of CFB Petawawa and had been in Afghanistan since the fall.

Crooks and three other Canadian soldiers were killed Thursday in Helmand province by a roadside bomb.

No information has yet been released about the circumstances of their deaths.

Crook's family declined to comment Friday afternoon but are expected to make a statement through the military Saturday afternoon.

This latest casualty marks the third Niagara resident killed in the war-torn country.

St. Catharines Lincoln and Welland Regiment member Warrant Officer Dennis Brown, 38, was killed March 3 in Afghanistan along with two other

Canadian soldiers when their armoured vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb northwest of Kandahar.

Cpl. Albert Storm, 36, of Niagara Falls died Nov. 27, 2006, after a suicide bomber attack.

He was a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, out of Petawawa...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Canuck_Centaur,

Is Canada 'tapped out'?

If what's going on locally is any indication, I don't think so.

First, the Afghan involvement and the war on terror have upped recruiting. There used to be a sign on the local armoury lawn about 10 000 jobs in the CF, it's long gone. I think the economy and the lack of good jobs is helping with this, too. But I think, at least to this point, the emphasis has been on recruiting to militia units. From those, I believe, selections can be made for candidates for Regular force postings.

There are a ton of militia in training.

I was at a recent pre-deployment dinner. Of the 250 soldiers attending the greater number of them, about 180, were from our local militia unit. The other 70 were regular force either posted as training cadre, or the 12 who made up the 'Afghan' table. One of those had done a roto already and the other 11 were posted to deploy at times in the future. They will deploy as part of a 'Mother Unit' - RCR, GGHG or PPCLI- made up of regular force personnel from a number of units. 5 percent of the 'boots' present that day could 'see' a deployment in their future.

Members of other branches seem to be deploying with Army units, perhaps for specialist requirements, but note the recent death, "on patrol", of an airman. I'm not sure we are deploying coherent units as much as alamagams of (regional) personnel who do some training together before being deployed. The command structures may be fairly homogeneous, but the rankers could come from anywhere. From a local perspective, there are 'main units' - based on three 'regions' that are 'filled out' with transferees.

Perhaps due to the requirements of the 'regulars', human resources ie the militia units, aren't being used as they might.

Popsig, you're 'dead on the money' when it comes to poor manpower levels for the CF, with the army taking the brunt of our casualites in the Afghan and other missions. I remember speaking with Lew Mackenzie several years ago when I was doing some research on defence issues, when he stated the Army's Infanteers numbered only 5,000 and making the comparison that the Toronto Police had more officers than that. Even with the Conservative government's support of the CF, they are likely holding back on more due to their minority government position. However, this is cold comfort for those heading for their 3rd, 4th or more tours. Lots of people also forget how berift the forces became in terms of trades people that support the combat arms personnel and how long it takes to 'build' a truly profecient soldier; whether they be combat or combat support. The Liberal government, while on paper had reduced the CF to an authorized strength of 60,000 but by then Lew was telling me that when you took off those who were injured, about to retire, pregnant, etc. the effectives dropped to around 52,000. Another measuring stick as to how badly the CF had been treated was the the army was having problems with new recruits; not because they didn't have them lining up, but that with the Afghan mission, it was taking up a lot of cadre that otherwise could have formed the NCM and officer ranks that could have instructed. It didn't help either that the Liberals let the military's infrastructure, equipment, etc. collapse as they took money from these areas to support operations.

Gen. Leslie was dead on the mark about needing a 1-year operational pause in 2011. I just wished it was now so we can rebuild the forces infrastructure, equipment, and manpower. To have a nation as rich as ours, be incapable of providing without stress a single brigade on an ongoing mission, again speaks to the past, current, and future problems rebuilding the CF. In many discussions with retired senior officers of the CF during the dark years of the Liberals under Chretien and Martin, they figured it would take a minimum of 10-15 years to recover from their negligent cuts to the military.

Another terrible loss.

From the CBC website:

quote:

Canadian soldier killed, 4 wounded by roadside bomb in Afghanistan
Last Updated: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 | 1:23 AM ET
CBC News

One Canadian soldier was killed and four others were wounded when their armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb north of Kandahar city in Afghanistan, the Canadian military said Tuesday.

Trooper Karine Blais, 21, died at about 5 p.m. local time on Monday when the vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the Shah Wali Kot district, said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Kandahar. Blais was from the 12th Armoured Regiment of Canada based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier in Quebec. She was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to Kandahar airfield. Two soldiers remain in the care of medical staff, Vance said. Their names will not be released, in adherence to military policy.

(...)
Blais had only been in the "theatre of operations" for two weeks and was ready to begin her tour of duty and conduct security patrols in the area, Vance said.

(...)
The life of Blais — who leaves behind her mother, Josée, grandmother Laurette and brother Billy — didn't go to waste, Vance said.

(...)
Vance said her sacrifice will "never be forgotten by Canadian and Afghans alike, for her life was lost in the pursuit of peace and stability in a country ravaged by decades of war."

A total of 116 Canadian soldiers have died since Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan began in 2002. One diplomat and two aid workers have also been killed.

(...)

RIP lads. The best of Allies.

RIP, Private Peloquin.

quote:

Canadian soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan

Updated Mon. Jun. 8 2009 2:25 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

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

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

Peloquin's hometown has not been released. He is survived by his mother, Monique.
(...)

No other soldiers were injured in the explosion, which occurred in Nakhoney, a village about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.

Peloquin was taking part in a six-day operation to locate and defuse improvised explosive devices.

According to Vance, the team confiscated 15 IEDs as well as material that could be used to make hundreds more of the deadly weapons.

(...)

Peloquin's death brings to 119 the total number of Canadian soldiers to die during the Afghanistan mission since it began in 2002.

It was the first Canadian death in the country since April 23, when Maj. Michelle Mendes, a 30-year-old intelligence officer from Ottawa, was found dead in an accommodation room at Kandahar Airfield...

Edit: Sorry, no Links means No Links, whether they be hot links or made inactive by altering the url structure.

Very touching to hear this young man interviewed on CBC and talking about his love for Canada just two days ago. God bless him, and his.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: IrishGuard,

Another tragic loss.

From the GLOBE AND MAIL:

quote:

Omar El Akkad

Afghanistan — Globe and Mail Update
Last updated on Thursday, Jul. 16, 2009 11:41AM EDT


A Canadian soldier has died in Afghanistan

Private Sébastien Courcy, 26, died around 6 a.m. Thursday morning, Kandahar time, while taking part in military operations in the Panjwayi District, about 17 kilometres south-west of Kandahar City. According to the Canadian Forces, Pte. Courcy was standing on high ground during the operation, and fell to his death. Nobody else was injured. The military did not immediately release any further information on what caused the fall.

Pte. Courcy is the 125th Canadian Forces casualty in Afghanistan since 2002.

Pte. Courcy is a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, based in Valcartier, Quebec. He was serving as a member of the Battalion's battle group.

He was evacuated to the hospital facility at Kandahar airfield, but did not survive.

(...)

RIP Soldiers.

From the CTV website:

quote:

Two Canadian soldiers killed by roadside bomb
Updated Sun. Aug. 2 2009 12:08 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Two Canadian soldiers have been killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

One of the soldiers has been identified as Cpl. Christian Bobbitt, 23. The second soldier's name has not been released.

Both were based in Valcartier, Que.

A third soldier was seriously injured and taken to hospital, where he is in stable condition.

Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance said the soldiers were killed Saturday by an improvised explosive device in the Zhari district, west of Kandahar City.

(...)

The total number of soldiers killed during the Afghan mission is now at 127.

RIP Private Lormand.

CF Statement:

quote:

One Canadian soldier was killed and four injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near their 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.

Killed in action was Private Patrick Lormand from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment based in Valcartier, Quebec. Private Lormand was serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, Quebec.

Four other Canadian Forces members were injured during the incident. They were evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield. They have all since been released. Their identities will not be made public.

Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of our fallen comrade.

Members of Task Force Kandahar work with Afghan security forces for the greater good of Afghanistan. We remain focused and determined to bringing peace, stability and good governance despite the challenge imposed on us by the insurgents. We remain committed to Afghanistan.

RIP to the Soldier and my prayers for a speedy recovery for the wounded.

From CBC News:

quote:

Canadian soldier killed, 11 injured in Afghanistan
Last Updated: Thursday, September 17, 2009 | 4:58 PM ET

A 23-year-old Canadian soldier was killed Thursday in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device.

The blast injured eleven other soldiers.

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

Couturier is the 131st Canadian solider to die in Afghanistan since 2002. He is also the fourth soldier killed in September.

An officer was just killed today in Afghanistan.

Condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the fallen, and here's hoping for a speedy and full recovery of the wounded.




From the official Canadian Forces news release:

quote:

One Canadian soldier was killed and two injured 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.

Killed in action was Lieutenant Justin Boyes of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, serving with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield and are in good condition. The next of kin for the injured soldiers have also been notified. The identities of the injured soldiers will not be released....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Canuck_Centaur,

RIP Sapper.

From CBC News:

quote:

Canadian solider dies in Afghanistan
Last Updated: Friday, October 30, 2009 | 9:42 PM ET
CBC News

One Canadian soldier was killed Friday in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device.

Sapper Steven Marshall, 24, of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry 1 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Edmonton was killed in the blast while on foot patrol in Panjwai district in Kandahar province.

No other Canadians were injured in the attack.

Marshall is the second Canadian solider to be killed in action in October. Lt. Justin Garrett Boyes, 26, was killed Wednesday when his foot patrol was hit by an IED southwest of Kandahar City.

With files from The Canadian Press