Trooper Karine Blais - 12e Régiment blindé du Canada - 4 wounded in Afghanistan - Tues 14 Apr 2009

[alexk]

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/04/13/afghan.html



(Mod edit to add info to thread title.)

 

[Michael OLeary]

Canadian soldier killed, 4 wounded by roadside bomb in Afghanistan
Last Updated: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 | 1:23 AM ET Comments1Recommend7
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.

"I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Trooper Blais," Vance said. "The days and months ahead will be extremely difficult for all who knew Karine."

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.

"She was an energetic soldier who gave 100 per cent to every challenge she faced," he added. "Frank and direct, she demonstrated the qualities of a future leader who was respected by all members of her squadron."

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

"She believed in her role in Afghanistan, and her dedication to the overall mission is beyond commendable."

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.

Earlier this month, the outgoing commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force warned that Canadian soldiers will see escalating violence this year on the Afghan mission, largely because of the presence of more U.S. troops there.

 

[Good2Golf]

Quoted article incorrectly states 116 soldiers killed -- should read 117.

Thoughts and prayers to Trooper Blais' family, friends and fellow soldiers of Le 12e RBC.  Wishing a fast and full recovery for the wounded.

 

[1feral1]

Sorry to hear of this news, what more can I say.

Only in country for 2 weeks.

OWDU

 

[fire_guy686]

Rest Easy Trooper Blais. 

Speedy recovery to the injured troops.

 

[manhole]

Condolences to the family and friends of Tpr. Blais.  A full and speedy recovery to the wounded. 

 

[gaspasser]

RIP Trooper, stand down. 
You've done your duty.

 

[Dariusz]

 

[Run away gun]

RIP

 

[observor 69]

Toronto Star

117th Canadian soldier killed  [Photo]

Apr 14, 2009 01:51 AM

THE CANADIAN PRESS

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Another Canadian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.
Trooper Karine Blais, 21, died and four other soldiers were wounded late Monday afternoon when their armoured personnel carrier rolled over a roadside bomb in the Shah Wali Khot district, north of Kandahar.

The young woman was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment based at Valcartier, near Quebec City.

She began her tour of duty just a few weeks ago.

Blais is the second female soldier to be killed as part of the Afghan mission.

Capt. Nicola Goddard of the 1st Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, died May 17, 2006, in a grenade attack in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar city.

She was Canada's first female soldier to die in combat.

The wounded soldiers were eventually airlifted by helicopter to a military hospital at the Kandahar airfield where Canadian troops are based.

A storm prevented choppers from reaching the scene of the blast.

Medical personnel were treating two and two were released.

Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance said Blais had arrived in the theatre of operations only two weeks ago.

"She was an energetic soldier who gave 100 per cent to every challenge she faced using a unique sense of humour, based on her honesty."

"She demonstrated the qualities of a future leader who was respected by all members of her squadron," he said.

The death is the first Canadian loss since March 20, when Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes died in two separate explosions.

A total of 117 Canadian soldiers have died as part of the Afghan mission since it began in 2002.

 

[OldSolduer]

RIP Trooper Blais. You have done your duty, now we WILL do ours.

"...and at the going down of the sun, we will remember them"

 

[The Bread Guy]

Damn....

Condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the fallen, and hopes for a full and speedy recovery to the injured 

Link to CF statement here (French version attached as .pdf):

One Canadian soldier was killed and four others were injured when their armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device north of Kandahar City in the Shah Wali Kowt District.  The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m., Kandahar time, on April 13, 2009.

The fallen soldier is Trooper Karine Blais, from 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier.  Trooper Blais was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield.  Their names will not be released.

Our thoughts are with the friends and family of our fallen comrade during this difficult time.

All members of Task Force Kandahar are thinking of the family and friends of our fallen comrades during this sad time.  We will not forget their sacrifice as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar Province.

Link to brief ISAF statement here:

An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service member was killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in southern Afghanistan yesterday.

“On behalf of ISAF, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this service member,” said Captain Mark Durkin, ISAF Spokesman. “This soldier died while fighting to ensure that in the future, Afghans will be able to provide for their own security. His sacrifice was to help bring peace to the people Afghanistan and will not be forgotten”

It is ISAF policy not to release the nationality of any casualty prior to the relevant national authority doing so.

Next of kin have been notified.

 

[KevinB]

RIP Soldier 

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Fiddler's Green

Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.

Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.

And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.

My condolances to the family.

 

[Lil_T]

My deepest condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Tpr Blais. 

Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.  :yellow:

 

[Nfld Sapper]

News Release
One Canadian soldier killed and four others injured in Afghanistan
CEFCOM NR–09.010 - April 14, 2009

OTTAWA – One Canadian soldier was killed and four others were injured when their armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device north of Kandahar City in the Shah Wali Kowt District.  The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m., Kandahar time, on April 13, 2009.

The fallen soldier is Trooper Karine Blais, from 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier.  Trooper Blais was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield.  Their names will not be released.

Our thoughts are with the friends and family of our fallen comrade during this difficult time.

All members of Task Force Kandahar are thinking of the family and friends of our fallen comrades during this sad time.  We will not forget their sacrifice as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar Province.

- 30 -

Note to Editors:

A photograph of Trooper Blais is available on the Combat Camera website (search under last name) at: www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca

 

[Mike Baker]

RIP Trooper.

 

[Rocketryan]

RIP Trooper 

 

[military granny]

RIP Trooper Blais
My deepest condolences to the troopers family and friends. 
To the soldiers wounded get well soon.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

RIP Tpr Blais.  My thoughts go out to her comrades, Regimental family, loved ones and friends.

:cdnsalute: