A Canadian soldier fell to his death in Afghanistan Thursday, becoming the fifth Canadian to die during what has been a bloody July for NATO troops in Afghanistan.
Private Sébastien Courcy, 26, died around 6 a.m. Kandahar time, while taking part in military operations in the Panjwai district, about 17 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city. The Canadian Forces said that Pte. Courcy was standing on “high ground” during the operation, and fell to his death. Nobody else was injured. The military did not immediately release further information on what caused the fall, or describe the high ground on which the soldier was standing.
“These security operations are sometimes accompanied by a heavy price – the heaviest there is – but the challenges we face will not deter us from our ultimate goal and commitment we have to Canada’s role to bring about positive change for the people of Kandahar,” Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, commander of Task Force Kandahar, said. “Sébastien gave his life for Canada. Such is the price soldiers must sometimes pay to honour their obligation to their country and to the missions set before them.”
Pte. Courcy is the 126th Canadian casualty in Afghanistan since 2002. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment – known as the Vandoos – based in Valcartier, Que., and had arrived in Afghanistan in April. He was serving in the battalion’s battle group.
Pte. Courcy was evacuated to the hospital facility at Kandahar Airfield, but did not survive.
“Today the entire task force is grieving the loss of a fine soldier. Our prayers are with his family and friends,” Brig.-Gen. Vance said. “Sébastien’s commitment to the mission will never be forgotten.”
Pte. Courcy was born in St-Hyacinthe, just east of Montreal, and enlisted with the Canadian Forces in 2006. He was completing his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. He leaves his mother, Ginette Courcy, and sister, Julie. His father’s name was not released.
Private Sébastien Courcy, 26, died around 6 a.m. Kandahar time, while taking part in military operations in the Panjwai district, about 17 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city. The Canadian Forces said that Pte. Courcy was standing on “high ground” during the operation, and fell to his death. Nobody else was injured. The military did not immediately release further information on what caused the fall, or describe the high ground on which the soldier was standing.
“These security operations are sometimes accompanied by a heavy price – the heaviest there is – but the challenges we face will not deter us from our ultimate goal and commitment we have to Canada’s role to bring about positive change for the people of Kandahar,” Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, commander of Task Force Kandahar, said. “Sébastien gave his life for Canada. Such is the price soldiers must sometimes pay to honour their obligation to their country and to the missions set before them.”
Pte. Courcy is the 126th Canadian casualty in Afghanistan since 2002. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment – known as the Vandoos – based in Valcartier, Que., and had arrived in Afghanistan in April. He was serving in the battalion’s battle group.
Pte. Courcy was evacuated to the hospital facility at Kandahar Airfield, but did not survive.
“Today the entire task force is grieving the loss of a fine soldier. Our prayers are with his family and friends,” Brig.-Gen. Vance said. “Sébastien’s commitment to the mission will never be forgotten.”
Pte. Courcy was born in St-Hyacinthe, just east of Montreal, and enlisted with the Canadian Forces in 2006. He was completing his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. He leaves his mother, Ginette Courcy, and sister, Julie. His father’s name was not released.
