One Canadian Forces member killed by improvised explosive device

DND/Canadian Forces ^ | 2010-05-04 | (press release)

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One Canadian Forces member killed by improvised explosive device

CEFCOM NR – 10.007 - May 4, 2010

OTTAWA — One Canadian Forces member was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a dismounted operation, about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, in the Panjwayi District, at approximately 4:40 p.m. Kandahar time on 3 May 2010.

Killed in action was Petty Officer Second Class Craig Blake a member of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), based in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. He was serving with Task Force 1-10.

We are all thinking of the family and friends of our Canadian fallen comrade during this sad time. The commitment and sacrifice of our military and their loved ones are helping to make a difference in the lives of the people of Kandahar Province.

Together, Afghan National Security Forces and Joint Task Force Afghanistan continue to maintain the initiative in Kandahar Province. Canada in partnership with the Afghan government and ISAF remain committed to improving the security situation in order to set the conditions for reconstruction and development in the region.

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Note to editors: A photograph of Petty Officer Second Class Craig Blake is available on the Fallen Canadians page of the Department of National Defence website. Please visit http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/fallen-disparus/index-eng.asp

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PO2 Blake was an explosives-disposal operator.

The rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class is equivalent to the infantry rank of Sergeant.

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[naturalman1975]

I saw a new Australian film today - Beneath Hill 60. Tells the story of tunnelers and miners at Messines Ridge in 1917 when they detonated the largest explosion in history (to that date) - 41 tons of ammonal right under the German trenches.

The Tunnelling units that did the job were British, Canadian, and Australian.

I'm not sure why I'm writing this, except to say I'm sorry for the loss of a good Canadian, but if good Canadians hadn't always been willing to do their duty, this world would be a very different place.

Lest We Forget.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[fanfan]

Petty Officer Second Class (Douglas) Craig Blake, based in Shearwater, N.S., is shown in this undated handout photo. Blake, 37, died Monday after an improvised explosive device detonated about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.