The Unseen Sacrifice: Reservists' Lives Lost In Afghanistan's Battlefields

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in the deaths of many reservists. In Canada, for example, 158 or 159 Canadian Forces personnel died during operations in Afghanistan, with one source specifically mentioning Cpl. Brian Pinksen, a reservist with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, as among the casualties. In addition to the Canadian Forces personnel, four civilians were also killed. The death toll for Canada's mission in Afghanistan is the largest for any single Canadian military mission since the Korean War between 1950 and 1953.

Cpl. Brian Pinksen, a Canadian reservist, died from IED blast injuries

Cpl. Brian Pinksen, a Canadian reservist, died from injuries sustained in an IED blast during a routine patrol near Nakhonay in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan. He was wounded on 22 August 2010 and died eight days later, on 30 August, in a military hospital in Germany.

Pinksen was a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, based in Corner Brook, N.L. He was 21 years old and had joined the reserves while still in high school. He had trained at the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick and at Fort Pickett, a U.S. Army National Guard base in Virginia. He had deployed on his first operational tour of duty to Afghanistan in May 2010.

Pinksen was injured by a roadside bomb while on patrol near the village of Nakhonay, about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City. He was treated by medics at the scene and evacuated by helicopter to the hospital at Kandahar Airfield. He was then moved to a military hospital at Ramstein military base in Landstuhl, Germany, where he died from his wounds.

Pinksen was the first soldier of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment to be killed since World War I. He was interred in Sop's Arm Pentecostal Cemetery. A repatriation ceremony was held at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario, and his body travelled along the Highway of Heroes to the coroner's office in Toronto.

Pinksen's death brought the total number of Canadian soldiers who died as part of the Afghan mission since 2002 to 152.

IEDs caused roughly half of all injuries and deaths in Afghanistan

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been a prominent cause of injury and death in Afghanistan. From 2001 to the end of 2014, NATO/ISAF coalition forces suffered 1,401 deaths from IEDs, constituting 50.4% of their total combat losses. During the period from 2008 to 2011, IED fatalities made up between 58% and 61% of coalition losses.

IEDs have been the leading cause of conflict-related civilian deaths in Afghanistan every year since 2001, except for 2014 and 2016, when there was a higher number of casualties from small arms fire during fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban. The Taliban are responsible for the majority of IED attacks in Afghanistan in the last decade, with such attacks becoming widespread after 2009.

IEDs have also taken a heavy toll on US and UK military personnel in Afghanistan. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2001, 829 US military personnel have been killed by IEDs in Afghanistan, accounting for 42% of all American forces killed during the war. Similarly, 222 British troops have lost their lives due to IEDs, representing 49% of all British military fatalities in the country.

The impact of IEDs extends beyond direct casualties, often causing widespread disruption and hindering reconstruction efforts. They have been employed to target civilian objects, including airports, markets, schools, and public gatherings, resulting in large-scale carnage and impeding commerce, humanitarian responses, and the provision of essential services. Additionally, the threat of IEDs has led to significant changes in military tactics and strategies, with a focus on mitigating the risk posed by these deadly devices.

The use of IEDs in Afghanistan has had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only military personnel but also civilians, with their impact felt across various aspects of life in the country.

Canadian reservist Bruce Moncur suffered physical and mental wounds

Cpl. Bruce Moncur, a native of Windsor, Ontario, joined the Canadian Army Reserves before 9/11. He enlisted with the Essex and Kent Scottish, an infantry regiment. In August 2006, 22-year-old Cpl. Moncur was deployed to Afghanistan and was soon caught in the Canadian-led offensive, Operation Medusa, west of Kandahar City. Unfortunately, his war came to an end after he was seriously injured in a friendly fire incident involving American close air support.

Moncur suffered severe brain damage and had to have five per cent of his brain removed. He then had to re-learn how to walk, talk, read and write. After recovering from his injuries, Moncur became an advocate for veteran's issues. He went back to school and graduated from the University of Windsor with honours. He is the founder of "Valour in the Presence of the Enemy", a non-profit organisation that seeks to award the Victoria Cross to a deserving Afghanistan war veteran and to re-examine Canadian heroes from earlier conflicts who may have been overlooked for this honour. The Victoria Cross is the highest award within the Canadian honours system, bestowed for "the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or preeminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy".

Moncur has expressed his frustration and feelings of futility regarding the outcome of the war in Afghanistan, as well as the lack of support from the Canadian government for veterans like himself. He has also emphasised the high casualty rates and mental health issues, such as PTSD, affecting Canadian veterans. Moncur's own "Alive Day", marking the anniversary of his injury, serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers and the physical and mental wounds that many continue to bear.

Captain Nichola Goddard was the first Canadian woman killed in combat

Captain Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian woman killed in combat, was a bright star taken too soon. Her story reveals the commitment, service, and sacrifice of women in the Canadian Armed Forces. Born in Papua New Guinea to Canadian and British parents, Goddard and her family moved back to Canada when she was three. By the time she was 18, she had lived in seven different communities across Canada.

Goddard chose the military in her senior year of high school in 1997. After graduating, she flew to Montreal to complete a Basic Officers Training Course at the Saint-Jean Garrison in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. She then spent four years at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, graduating as a trained artillery officer. She was posted to the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant and later promoted to Captain.

Goddard's early years in the Armed Forces included fighting wildfires and controlling avalanches in British Columbia. She was deployed to Afghanistan in January 2006 as a forward observation officer. On May 17, 2006, she was among more than 200 Canadian and Afghan soldiers clearing enemy fighters from the village of Pashmul, near Kandahar City. Goddard and her team were ambushed, and her vehicle was hit by rocket-propelled grenades. Shrapnel struck Goddard in the head, killing her instantly. She was 26 years old.

Goddard was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Sacrifice Medal. Her memory is honoured through a school, coast guard ship, lake, award, and charity named after her. The Captain Nichola Goddard Fund supports servicewomen, female veterans, and their families. Goddard's story stands as a testament to the leadership, strength, and courage of Canadian women in military service.

Canadian reservists' suitability for deployment was questioned after a death

The death of Anthony Boneca, a Canadian reservist, initiated a debate about the combat readiness of Canadian reservists. Questions were raised about the suitability of employing reservists, the role of the media in reporting comments by grieving relatives, and the suitability of the Iltis vehicle.

Reservists are an integral component of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with roles in operations, community connection, and citizenship. They are primarily part-time service members who may volunteer for full-time employment or deployment. Most reservists hold civilian jobs or are students enrolled in post-secondary education. To facilitate their training and deployment, employers and educators are encouraged to support their reservists through various programs and services. Since 2012, federal, provincial, and territorial governments have adopted job-protection legislation for reservists, providing a legislated point of reference for managing leave requests due to military duties. This legislation ensures clarity for employers regarding military leave processes and protects reservists' civilian employment upon their return.

Despite these measures, the death of Boneca brought into question the suitability of employing reservists in certain situations. While reservists gain valuable skills and experience through their military service, there may be concerns about their level of preparation for specific missions or deployments.

The debate surrounding Boneca's death highlights the complexities of utilizing reservists in military operations. While they provide valuable support to the CAF, there may be instances where their readiness or suitability for certain missions is questioned. It is important for the CAF to carefully assess the capabilities and limitations of reservists to ensure their effective utilization in supporting Canada's defence interests.

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