Defence minister's statement on Sgt John Faught

NEWS RELEASE

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

************************* Statement by the minister of national defence on the death of Sergeant John Wayne Faught OTTAWA, ONTARIO - (January 16, 2010) - The Honourable Peter MacKay, minister of national defence and minister for the Atlantic gateway, issued the following statement today on the death of a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan:

"On behalf of the defence family, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Sergeant John Wayne Faught, who was killed today by an improvised explosive device while on a joint Afghan National Army-Canadian Battle Group dismounted security patrol in the Panjwayi District.

Sergeant Faught served valiantly alongside his comrades to help build a better and brighter future for Afghans.

His tragic passing illustrates some of the risks that the selfless men and women of the Canadian Forces face every day in carrying out their duties.

Canada is in Afghanistan at the request of the democratically elected Afghan government and as part of a UN-mandated, NATO-led mission to help Afghans rebuild their country as a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society.

This is a challenging mission, but the Government of Canada and its international allies are committed to helping the Afghan people achieve peace and stability and rebuild their country and its institutions.

Rebuilding schools, hospitals, and roads as well as training Afghan security forces, cannot occur in an unstable environment.

Sergeant Faught gave his life helping to provide this security and to help create the conditions needed for the people to begin to have the kinds of opportunities that Canadians often take for granted.

Sergeant Faught's sacrifice will not be forgotten and this event will not deter us from continuing to help Afghans rebuild their country.

Killed in action was Sergeant John Wayne Faught from the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta.

He was serving as a member of the Task Force 3-09 Battle Group.

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