All,
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I must announce to the REgimental
family that we have had two Dragoons killed in Action today in Afghanistan, and another
three have been injured in two roadside bomb attacks.
Master Cpl. Allan Stewart and Trooper Patrick James Pentland of B Sqn died after their
vehicle hit a roadside bomb in an area about 38 kilometres west of Kandahar City.
Blackhawk helicopters brought the two bodies back to Kandahar Airfield soon after the
blast along with the wounded. One of those injured soldiers was carried into the base
hospital on a stretcher, while another - still noticeably dazed - staggered in with the
help of two medics. Of those wounded soldiers, one sustained minor injuries while a second
was seriously hurt, will soon be taken to the U.S. Military Hospital in Landstuhl,
Germany.
A third Dragoon, who was injured in a separate attack, was also brought in with minor
injuries. All three were listed in stable condition.
The fatal blast took place around 8 p.m. Afghan time and about 800 metres from the
earlier, similar, attack against B Sqn as part of another convoy. That earlier incident,
which authorities called "unrelated," took place around 6 p.m., The shrapnel
from that explosion left one soldier in a trailing RCD vehicle - the third to be brought
to the hospital - with minor injuries.
We will be putting up this information and establishing new pages in our Hall of
Remembrance on the website tomorrow. I know we can all count on the support of the
Regimental family and wish everyone godspeed.
At this time we HAVE NOT CANCELLED plans for this weekend.
With deepest regards,
Jim Follwell
Major
Second in Command
The Royal Canadian Dragoons