Pieman
Army.ca Veteran
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http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/08/24/kabul_jeep040824.html
Canadian deaths in Kabul not preventable, says report
Last Updated Tue, 24 Aug 2004 17:01:16 EDT
OTTAWA - Two incidents that killed three Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan could not have been prevented, a National Defence department report concluded on Tuesday.
INDEPTH: Canada's Casualties
Cpl. Robert Beerenfenger
Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger were killed in October 2003 when a landmine detonated under their Iltis jeep while on patrol in the Jowz Valley, near Kabul. Four Canadians were injured.
In January, Cpl. Jamie Murphy and an Afghan civilian were killed when a suicide bomber jumped on one of two Iltis jeeps carrying Canadian soldiers on patrol about 1.5 kilometres from the Canadians' base, Camp Julien. The explosion injured three other Canadian soldiers.
INDEPTH: Canada's equipment
Critics say the light utility jeep used in Afghanistan, the Iltis, doesn't offer enough protection.
But the DND board of inquiry report concluded the Iltis was the most appropriate vehicle for the Canadians to use for their patrols.
In the Jowz Valley incident, the report said the same road had been used frequently, and as early as two hours prior to the blast.
In the suicide bombing, the inquiry concluded that the Iltis was the best vehicle the Canadians had to patrol in an urban environment such as Kabul.
The report does offer some recommendations which are being implemented, said the chief of defence staff.
"We are committed to putting measures in place that will lessen the risk to our soldiers conducting these types of missions," said Gen. Ray Henault.
The family of Cpl. Jamie Murphy said they didn't blame the military and that the suicide bomber was the only person responsible for Jamie's death.
"Unfortunately Jamie was in the wrong place at the wrong time," the family said in a statement.
Canada plans to replace the Iltis, in use since the mid-1980s, with a heavier Mercedes four-door utility vehicle this year. Similar vehicles have been used by Canada's NATO allies in peacekeeping missions in the Balkans.
Written by CBC News Online staff
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A very sad incident. Curious to know if the rest of the people here agree with the conclusion:
Especially since the Iltis was replaced shortly after, it seems kind of a contradictive conclusion. Was replacing the Iltis after really this terrible incident just politically modivated, or was it a good decision? Or both?
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/08/24/kabul_jeep040824.html
Canadian deaths in Kabul not preventable, says report
Last Updated Tue, 24 Aug 2004 17:01:16 EDT
OTTAWA - Two incidents that killed three Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan could not have been prevented, a National Defence department report concluded on Tuesday.
INDEPTH: Canada's Casualties
Cpl. Robert Beerenfenger
Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger were killed in October 2003 when a landmine detonated under their Iltis jeep while on patrol in the Jowz Valley, near Kabul. Four Canadians were injured.
In January, Cpl. Jamie Murphy and an Afghan civilian were killed when a suicide bomber jumped on one of two Iltis jeeps carrying Canadian soldiers on patrol about 1.5 kilometres from the Canadians' base, Camp Julien. The explosion injured three other Canadian soldiers.
INDEPTH: Canada's equipment
Critics say the light utility jeep used in Afghanistan, the Iltis, doesn't offer enough protection.
But the DND board of inquiry report concluded the Iltis was the most appropriate vehicle for the Canadians to use for their patrols.
In the Jowz Valley incident, the report said the same road had been used frequently, and as early as two hours prior to the blast.
In the suicide bombing, the inquiry concluded that the Iltis was the best vehicle the Canadians had to patrol in an urban environment such as Kabul.
The report does offer some recommendations which are being implemented, said the chief of defence staff.
"We are committed to putting measures in place that will lessen the risk to our soldiers conducting these types of missions," said Gen. Ray Henault.
The family of Cpl. Jamie Murphy said they didn't blame the military and that the suicide bomber was the only person responsible for Jamie's death.
"Unfortunately Jamie was in the wrong place at the wrong time," the family said in a statement.
Canada plans to replace the Iltis, in use since the mid-1980s, with a heavier Mercedes four-door utility vehicle this year. Similar vehicles have been used by Canada's NATO allies in peacekeeping missions in the Balkans.
Written by CBC News Online staff
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A very sad incident. Curious to know if the rest of the people here agree with the conclusion:
But the DND board of inquiry report concluded the Iltis was the most appropriate vehicle for the Canadians to use for their patrols
Especially since the Iltis was replaced shortly after, it seems kind of a contradictive conclusion. Was replacing the Iltis after really this terrible incident just politically modivated, or was it a good decision? Or both?