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Canadian killed by IED, alongside Afghan officer
Updated Sun. Jun. 14 2009 4:43 PM ET
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan , The Canadian Press
Canadian Cpl. Martin Dube, 35,
is shown in a handout photo.
A Canadian soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan today when one of two improvised explosive
devices he was trying to defuse exploded. Cpl. Martin Dube, 35, was a combat engineer from the
5e Regiment du Genie de Combat based at CFB Valcartier near Quebec City. An Afghan police
officer was also killed, and an Afghan interpreter was wounded.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance says Dube believed in the mission and saved many lives with his work.
It's the second Canadian death in Afghanistan in a week - Pte. Alexandre Peloquin was killed last
Monday when he stepped on an explosive device.
The death of Dube brings to 120 the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died during the
Afghan mission since it began in 2002.
More details to come...
A Canadian combat engineer, described as a great guy to be around, was killed
in southern Afghanistan on Sunday when one of two roadside bombs he was
trying to defuse exploded. Cpl. Martin Dube, 35, was the second Canadian soldier
to die in Afghanistan in a week. The blast also killed an Afghan police officer and
badly wounded an interpreter.
In making the grim announcement at Kandahar Airfield, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance
said the "energetic" Dube was someone who believed in the Afghan mission and was
eager to make a difference. "The IED that Martin was dismantling could have killed
an entire family, as it was deliberately aimed at passing traffic," said Vance, the senior
commander in Kandahar. "His actions, his sacrifice, saved the lives of innocents."
Vance praised Dube, who was from the 5e Regiment du Genie de Combat based at
CFB Valcartier near Quebec City, as a professional who was always willing to help
anyone in need -- one of the main reasons he deployed to Afghanistan.
The incident occurred shortly after noon in the Panjwaii district, about 20 kilometres
southwest of Kandahar city. Last Monday, Pte. Alexandre Peloquin was killed in the
same district when he stepped on an explosive device. Dube's death brings to 120
the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died during the Afghan mission since
it began in 2002.
Nevertheless, Vance was adamant that grief over the deaths would not get in the way
of the mission. "The loss of a soldier is not an indication of failure, nor cause for hope-
lessness -- Martin Dube knew that, and so should you," Vance said. "We are determined
to succeed so that Afghan lives improve; but our enemies are equally determined to
challenge and prevent Afghanistan from flourishing as the nation it so wants to be."
Dube is survived by his mother Marie-Paule, his father Roger, brother Vincent and girlfriend,
Julie. Vance said Dube never let himself get down when things got rough. The soldier was a
skilled perfectionist who took the time to better himself not only as a human being, but also
as a soldier, Vance said. "His work has saved the lives of his peers, of Afghan national security
forces and Afghan civilians," Vance said. "For that, he should be remembered and celebrated."
Vance also described Dube as someone who enjoyed life, was good at making others laugh,
and was "one of the best guys to be around."
The injured Afghan interpreter was flown to the Kandahar Airfield hospital. His condition was
not immediately known.
Updated Sun. Jun. 14 2009 4:43 PM ET
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan , The Canadian Press
Canadian Cpl. Martin Dube, 35,
is shown in a handout photo.
A Canadian soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan today when one of two improvised explosive
devices he was trying to defuse exploded. Cpl. Martin Dube, 35, was a combat engineer from the
5e Regiment du Genie de Combat based at CFB Valcartier near Quebec City. An Afghan police
officer was also killed, and an Afghan interpreter was wounded.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance says Dube believed in the mission and saved many lives with his work.
It's the second Canadian death in Afghanistan in a week - Pte. Alexandre Peloquin was killed last
Monday when he stepped on an explosive device.
The death of Dube brings to 120 the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died during the
Afghan mission since it began in 2002.
More details to come...
A Canadian combat engineer, described as a great guy to be around, was killed
in southern Afghanistan on Sunday when one of two roadside bombs he was
trying to defuse exploded. Cpl. Martin Dube, 35, was the second Canadian soldier
to die in Afghanistan in a week. The blast also killed an Afghan police officer and
badly wounded an interpreter.
In making the grim announcement at Kandahar Airfield, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance
said the "energetic" Dube was someone who believed in the Afghan mission and was
eager to make a difference. "The IED that Martin was dismantling could have killed
an entire family, as it was deliberately aimed at passing traffic," said Vance, the senior
commander in Kandahar. "His actions, his sacrifice, saved the lives of innocents."
Vance praised Dube, who was from the 5e Regiment du Genie de Combat based at
CFB Valcartier near Quebec City, as a professional who was always willing to help
anyone in need -- one of the main reasons he deployed to Afghanistan.
The incident occurred shortly after noon in the Panjwaii district, about 20 kilometres
southwest of Kandahar city. Last Monday, Pte. Alexandre Peloquin was killed in the
same district when he stepped on an explosive device. Dube's death brings to 120
the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died during the Afghan mission since
it began in 2002.
Nevertheless, Vance was adamant that grief over the deaths would not get in the way
of the mission. "The loss of a soldier is not an indication of failure, nor cause for hope-
lessness -- Martin Dube knew that, and so should you," Vance said. "We are determined
to succeed so that Afghan lives improve; but our enemies are equally determined to
challenge and prevent Afghanistan from flourishing as the nation it so wants to be."
Dube is survived by his mother Marie-Paule, his father Roger, brother Vincent and girlfriend,
Julie. Vance said Dube never let himself get down when things got rough. The soldier was a
skilled perfectionist who took the time to better himself not only as a human being, but also
as a soldier, Vance said. "His work has saved the lives of his peers, of Afghan national security
forces and Afghan civilians," Vance said. "For that, he should be remembered and celebrated."
Vance also described Dube as someone who enjoyed life, was good at making others laugh,
and was "one of the best guys to be around."
The injured Afghan interpreter was flown to the Kandahar Airfield hospital. His condition was
not immediately known.
