Private Sébastien Courcy killed July 16 2009

One Canadian soldier killed on operations

OTTAWA – One Canadian soldier died while conducting operations in the Panjwayi District. The incident occurred approximately 17 kilometres south-west from Kandahar City at around 6:00 a.m., Kandahar time, on 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.

Pte Courcy was evacuated by helicopter to the Role 3 Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield.

He was the fifth Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan this month, along with at least 42 other NATO military personnel.

Courcy, 26, arrived in Afghanistan in April and was part of an operation to separate the insurgency from the population in Panjwaii district, said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance.

"During this operation, Sébastien fell from the position he was occupying on a piece of high ground, resulting in his death," Vance said.

The young soldier had joined the military in 2006. This was his first deployment in Afghanistan.

"Pte. Courcy served valiantly alongside his comrades to help build a better and brighter future for Afghans," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement. "His tragic passing illustrates some of the risks that the selfless men and women of the Canadian Forces face every day in carrying out their duties."

Courcy is survived by his mother, Ginette, and his sister, Julie. He is the 125th Canadian soldier to die since the Afghanistan mission began in 2002.

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