News Release
Name of Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan
released
CEFCOM/COMFEC NR–08.006 - January 24, 2008
OTTAWA
– Killed yesterday in Afghanistan was Sapper Étienne Gonthier, 21 year old, of
5th Combat Engineer Regiment based in Valcartier
(Québec). He was part of a team of sappers conducting
route clearance ahead of a convoy in the Panjwaiyi
District.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of
Sapper Gonthier , and with his comrades in Afghanistan
who remain committed to helping Afghans improve their
living conditions and build a free and democratic
society.
The courage and dedication demonstrated by Sapper
Gonthier in his efforts to assist the Afghan national
security forces represent Canadian values in the finest
tradition. He will be greatly missed.
News Release
Canadian Soldier Killed - Two Others Wounded in Afghanistan
CEFCOM/COMFEC NR-08.005 - January 23, 2008
OTTAWA - At approximately 1:40 p.m. local time
(in Kandahar) today, one Canadian soldier who was part of a convoy
was killed when the armoured vehicle he was in struck a suspected
Improvised Explosive Device (IED), 35 km South-West of Kandahar
City. Two Canadian soldiers were also injured.
The family of the deceased soldier have been advised but at their
request, the name of the soldier is being temporarily withheld.
The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the
Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield. They are in good
condition and have returned to duty. They have completed next of kin
self-notification.
As we have seen in recent weeks, Joint Operations in Panjwayi are
re-asserting coalition presence and disrupting insurgents’
activities in areas known to be insurgent strongholds. This activity
is generating a response from the Taliban mostly in the form of
their weapon of choice - Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
We have lost a fine Canadian today, and our thoughts and prayers
go out to the family of this brave soldier.
