Sgt. Faught was on a routine patrol at about 2 p.m. local time when the roadside bomb exploded. No one else was hurt.
Nakhoney is one corner of the Panjwaii triangle and a consistent troublespot for Canadians, It has been a hub of insurgent activity, but Canadian troops have been making concerted efforts to secure the area.
Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall, who was killed during a foot patrol on Dec. 23, 2009, was among a group of soldiers who had been staying outside Nakhoney as part of the military’s new strategy of having troops live among Afghans.
At the time, senior defence officials were adamant the strategy was having “great success” despite Nuttall’s death.
They said locals had been approaching troops more often to point out the makeshift IED's, a devastatingly effective weapon of choice for the insurgents.
The combined patrol on which Faught was killed was part of Canada’s effort “to protect Afghans from insurgents and to learn more about the people of the village and their needs,” Menard said Saturday.
“I offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of our great fallen warrior.”
Sgt. Faught was a member of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.
In his comments following the announcement of the death, Brigadier-General Daniel Menard said Faught was affectionately known as “Toast,” because he was “hard and crusty.”
“He could always be counted on to tell it like it is when asked for his opinion,” Menard said.
“He was a very conscientious and thorough section commander who always put the needs of his soldiers above his own." Faught was “very much a father figure” to his younger section members, the Brigadier-General said.
“He protected them and looked out for them much as a father would.”
Sgt. Faught was from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. He was the 139th Canadian soldier to die since Canada sent troops to the country. It was the third fatal incident involving Canadian troops in the past three weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment