Vicki L MorrisonFallen soldier, Sergeant Andrew ‘Drew’ Joseph Doiron, from the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, based at Garrison Petawawa, Ontario, returns home to Canada today.
The repatriation will take place today at 3:40 p.m. at 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
“Every member of Canada’s Special Operations Forces Command feels a great loss at Drew’s passing. He was a gifted, special operator and a great leader. He loved his job and the people he soldiered with. We grieve with Drew’s family and extend our condolences to them. Our thoughts are also with our three injured operators. We will bring Drew home with all dignity and wrap our arms around our injured Brothers and we will carry on with our important mission in Iraq,” said Brigadier-General Michael Rouleau, Commander of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.
Present to pay their respects in Trenton will be His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff.
“We have lost another invaluable member of our family. A soldier and a warrior, Sergeant Doiron was a consummate professional appreciated by all. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. I am grateful for his service and dedication. He will be missed,” said General Lawson.
Minister of National Defence Jason Kenney, Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino and other dignitaries, will also be present.
“Sergeant Doiron was a true Canadian patriot, whose bravery and dedication to Canada’s security is an inspiration to us all. May he rest in peace,” said Minister Kenney.
In keeping with the wishes of Sgt. Doiron’s family there will be no designated spokesperson from the Doiron family attending the repatriation.
Upon leaving 8 Wing, the motorcade will make its way to Toronto along the Highway of Heroes. The Ontario Provincial Police will broadcast all information related to the procession and its progress from Trenton to Toronto.
Sergeant Andrew ‘Drew’ Joseph Doiron was killed on March 6th, 2015 in Iraq at approximately 3:50 p.m. local Ottawa time in a friendly fire incident when members of the Special Operations Forces were mistakenly engaged by Iraqi Kurdish forces following their return to an observation post behind the front lines.
Three other members were injured in the incident and are receiving medical care for their injuries.
Operation IMPACT is the CAF’s contribution to the Middle East Stabilization Force (MESF), the international coalition assisting security forces in the Republic of Iraq who are fighting against ISIL.
Approximately 600 personnel, including aircrew support elements such as command, control and logistics are participating in Op IMPACT. This includes 69 members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command already working in an advisory and assistance role by providing strategic and tactical advice to Iraqi security forces.
Members of CANSOFCOM are in Iraq to participate in Op IMPACT, the Canadian government’s efforts to provide assistance to Iraqi forces as they face threats posed by the extremist militant group the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL).
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