Posted on 12/05/2008 2:29:49 PM PST by Clive
News Release
Three Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
CEFCOM NR 08.040 - December 5, 2008
OTTAWA – Three Canadian soldiers were 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.
The Canadian soldiers were participating in a vehicle patrol with their Afghan colleagues when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. The three soldiers were killed instantly by the explosion.
Killed in action were Corporal Mark Robert McLaren and Private Demetrios Diplaros. The primary next of kin for all three soldiers have been notified; however, the third name will not be released at this time at the request of the family.
In an unrelated incident, earlier on the same day, two Canadian soldiers were seriously injured when an improvised explosive device detonated in the vicinity of a joint Canadian - Afghan foot patrol in Zharey District. The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m., Kandahar time, approximately 30 kilometers west of Kandahar City.
A cordon was quickly established and the soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-national Medical Facility at Kandahar Airfield where one soldier is reported to be in serious condition and the other is reported to be in fair condition. The names of the injured soldiers will not be released.
Today Canada lost three fine soldiers. It is our hope that the focus remains on the lives and sacrifices of our soldiers as they served Canada in an effort to bring peace and security to the people of Afghanistan.
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This brings the butcher's bill to 100 military deaths plus one diplomat.
May they rest in peace.
We need to take the gloves off.
:-(
Prayers up.
Thank you, Canada.
Thanks Bahbah.
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the death of three Canadian soldiers:
“Today, all of Canada mourns the deaths of three brave soldiers killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to offer my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson, Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, and Private Demetrios Diplaros who lost their lives today serving their country. I also extend my wishes for the prompt recovery of two Canadian soldiers wounded in a separate attack today in Kandahar Province.
These brave soldiers were part of an Operational Mentor and Liaison Team dedicated to teaching the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) the soldiering skills required for them to take full responsibility for security in their country. Training the ANA is one of Canadas priorities in Afghanistan, and the mentoring teams are indispensible in this task. This attack took the lives of three Canadian soldiers when an improvised explosive device detonated close to their armoured vehicle while on a training patrol in the Arghandab District.
The three soldiers were with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa and served as members of Task Force Kandahars Operational Mentor and Liaison Team.
Canadians and Afghans alike will remember the sacrifice of these exceptional Canadians who were dedicated to making both Afghanistan and the broader world a safer place to live. We will not be deterred in performing our vital mission by the cowardly attacks of the Taliban. While every life lost is tragic, we remain steadfast in our determination to help build a better Afghanistan.”
Canada is part of the International Security Assistance Force Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) Program in Afghanistan. OMLTs are comprised of 12-19 people embedded with Afghan National Army battalions, brigades, garrisons and corps headquarters. The teams deploy for at least six months within the ANA teaching basic soldier skills, marksmanship principles, tactics and manoeuvres and planning and conducting patrols and other operations. Canada is currently participating in 6 OMLTs.
Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson, 1 RCR, Petawawa.
Thanks Clive.
Thanks for the ping.
...they shall not grow old,
as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
nor the years condemn
at the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them
RIP.
RIP Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson
Corporal Mark Robert McLaren
Private Demetrios Diplaros
1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa
Corporal Mark Robert McLaren (left), Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson (centre) and Private Demetrios Diplaros were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan Dec. 5, 2008.
It reported in the news this morning that Warrant Wilson’s wife was also serving in Afghanistan on this rotation. She will accompany him on his journey home.
Oh, my!
May she have strength.
Ba%^%^rd “religion of peaceniks.”
?
Religion of peacniks= Muslim/Taliban= Religion of peace.
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