Canadian Soldier, Sgt John Faught, killed after stepping on IED

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | January 16, 2010 at 02:23 pm

1779 views | 40 Recommendations | 11 comments

Canada marked it's first war casualty in Afghanistan for 2010. Sergeant John Faught, a member of the Edmonton based 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, stepped on an IED while on a foot patrol in Panjwaii District about 15 kilometers south west of Kandahar City.

Sergeant Faught was serving as a section commander in 11 Platoon, D Company of the Task Force 3-09 Battle Group.

Sergeant Faught, 44, was described by his fellow soldiers as "father figure" who called him Toast because he was hard and rusty.

"John Faught was a very conscientious and thorough section commander who always put the needs of his soldiers above his own," said Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard. "I offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of our great fallen warrior."

The last Canadian casualties occurred on December 30th when four soldiers and one journalist were killed. Their burials were just completed this week.

Sergeant Faught is the 139th Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Sgt Faught honoured in Ramp Ceremony for final trip back to Canada

The Repatriation Ceremony at 8 Wing Trenton is tentatively scheduled for
1400 hours on Tuesday, 19 January 2010.

A Canadian soldier, Sgt. John Faught, 44, has died in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan. He was the first Canadian casualty in the war torn country this year.

Faught was killed after stepping on an improvised explosive device in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province while on a joint foot patrol.

He was a member of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based out of Edmonton.

The excerpt below from the National Post provides some interesting information. To explain, Canada has three Regular Army Infantry Regiments:

The Royal Canadian Regiment;

The Royal 22nd Regiment (Vandoos) Quebec based; and

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Matthew Fisher of CanWest News Service pays tribute to Sgt Faughts Regiment by outlining that this has been 38th casualty the Patricia's have suffered.

The Royal Canadian Regiment and the Vandoos have had 28 and 15 deaths respectively.

The Patricia's have spend more time in Afghanistan then the other two Regiments.

He was the 139th Canadian soldier and the 38th Patricia to die in Afghanistan since the Chretien government first sent troops to the country soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

The Patricia's have spent more time in Afghanistan than the other two regular-force infantry formations, the Ontario-based Royal Canadian Regiment and the Quebec-based Royal 22nd Regiment.

The RCR and the Vandoos have suffered 28 and 15 deaths in Afghanistan, respectivel

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Susan Marie Kovalinsky

at 14:30 on January 16th, 2010

Thanks for this Karl. Very sad, and there is always the question of the actual purpose of this war. But honorable service, none the less, in life and in death. Thank you, I know as a military man this touches you in a personal way. : (

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 14:42 on January 16th, 2010

This is a member of the Regiment I served in. They are based near where I live. What is so heartbreaking about it, that two of them were buried just South of me this past week. Thanks for your kind words, very much appreciated. Canada is to leave its military mission by July 2011, mandated by Parliament.

marianmo

at 14:44 on January 16th, 2010

ty for this story...another life lost, another family mourns

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 14:52 on January 16th, 2010

Yep for sure marianmo. Thanks for recommending and commenting.

Rory Cripps

at 15:18 on January 16th, 2010

ACP: Thanks! However I won't comment due to some of the above that have commented. My comments would be heart-felt and real . . . .

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 15:28 on January 16th, 2010

I understand and thank you Rory:)

Hill MD (not verified)

at 19:03 on January 16th, 2010

R.I.P. John Wayne... Truly a sad day for me and all those who served with John. Helluva soldier! We'll miss you...

hidflect

at 21:31 on January 16th, 2010

"who always put the needs of his soldiers above his own"

The very definition of a professional; somebody who puts their skills towards the good of the group or purpose before their own needs or goals. There's no higher compliment. I hope I can be remembered for as much.