Mishall RehmanA Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member died while serving in Riga, Latvia, earlier this week, according to a statement released by the military on Tuesday.
The soldier, Capt. Aaron Wideman passed away on Oct. 13 while off duty. He served as a member of the Latvian Allied Augmentation Team in the Eastern European country.
Capt. Wideman joined the Canadian Armed Forces as an Artillery Officer Cadet in 2013. The majority of his career was spent at the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, where he held various positions, including instructor, from 2014 to 2021.
In 2019, he was deployed to Ukraine as part of Operation Unifier, where he served for six months. In 2022, he was posted to the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu before being posted to Riga, Latvia, in August of this year.
The military has expressed its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of Captain Aaron Wideman, who passed away on October 13, 2024. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” LGen. Stephen Kelsey, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, said in a statement,
Investigation Ongoing
Since the incident occurred while Capt. Wideman was off duty, the Latvian State Police are currently leading an investigation. The CAF says its police are supporting the authorities on the matter.
Since the investigation is ongoing, there is no further information on the incident.
CAF in Latvia
The CAF is currently deployed at a strength of nearly 1,600 members in Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE. Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s largest overseas mission and includes contributions from all elements of the CAF. The operation supports NATO’s deterrence and defence measures in both Central and Eastern Europe.
In Latvia, specifically, the CAF is deployed as part of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup, Task Force Latvia and NATO’s MND-N headquarters.
Updated Oct. 18, 2024.
