KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The 79th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan was killed by an improvised explosive device Sunday afternoon. The casualty was not a member of the latest rotation of troops from Manitoba who just began arriving in Kandahar this month.
The soldier has been identified as Trooper Michael Yuki Hayakaze a 25 year old member of the Edmonton-based Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), an armoured unit. He was due to return to Canada in the next few days after a six month stint in Afghanistan.
There were no details yet available about the exact nature of the latest fatal IED attack.
The soldier died while riding in an armoured vehicle that was part of a resupply mission in support of the Afghan army, Brigadier General Guy Laroche said. The soldier’s vehicle was struck about 45 kilometres west of the main Canadian base at Kandahar Airfield.
According to a Canadian Forces statement, Hayakaze was immediately evacuated from the scene by helicopter but was pronounced dead upon his arrival at the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield.
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The nearest town to the scene of the explosion was Mushan, in the Panjwaii District, which has been a persistent trouble spot for Canadian troops since they began a combat mission in the area nearly two years ago.
No Canadians have died while involved in direct combat against the Taliban since last summer. Most of the troops to have killed since then have been in vehicles that have struck IEDs.
“I think they are more desperate,” Laroche said in explaining the Taliban’s non-confrontational tactics. “They are still using IEDs as their weapon of choice.”
Actual fighting between the Taliban and the Canadians has dropped off to zero in Kandahar this year, according to Lt.-Col. Alain Gauthier, who was the commander of the Van Doo battle group which was responsible for the war here for six months until he handed over command to the Second Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry from Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba in a ceremony on Friday.
“In the past two months the enemy has not had any direct contact with the coalition,” Gauthier said before beginninghis return journey to Canada early Saturday.
Because the Arghandab River runs through Panjwaii, it is one of the few farming areas in the province of Kandahar. It is relatively heavily populated compared to most other parts of the province, which with neighbouring Helmand, is the most hotly disputed area in Afghanistan.
“This is a very difficult time for the family, friends and colleagues of our lost comrade,” Laroche said in a prepared statement.
“Our men and women know we are engaged in a dangerous mission. They also know how important their presence is to the people of Afghanistan. They defend those who cannot defend themselves at the risk of their own lives, and they help build a better future for Afghan children by setting the stage for lasting stability.”
Canada’s battle group in Kandahar numbers about 2,200 soldiers. A little more than half the troops are based at Kandahar Airfield with the rest living and operating from small forward operating bases.
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