Minutes before Canada’s MPs began debating the idea of extending Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, the news reached Ottawa that a Canadian soldier was killed in a firefight earlier in the day south of Kandahar. The dead soldier is Captain Nichola Goddard (left). It is believed to be the first time a Canadian female soldier has been killed while in a combat role. “I believe it's safe to say she was the first woman in a combat arms military occupation (such as artillery, infantry, or armoured) killed in front-line combat,” said Lt. Morgan Bailey, a spokesperson for the Canadian Forces at National Defence headquarters in Ottawa.
Here is part of the text of a release from the Department of National Defence:
OTTAWA – A Canadian soldier was killed during a firefight with insurgents that occurred approximately 24 kilometres west of Kandahar. The incident occurred at approximately 6:55 p.m. Kandahar time (10: 25 a.m. EDT) on 17 May.
Killed was Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard who was serving with Task Force Afghanistan as part of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) Battle Group. Captain Goddard was stationed with the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Shilo, Manitoba; her next-of-kin have been notified.
The repatriation of Captain Goddard's remains is now being planned.
Capt Goddard was engaged in a significant operation, one in which Canadian soldiers were in support of Afghan authorities, when she was killed. That operation was a clearance operation by Afghan security personnel in Kandahar province north of the Arghandab River and west of Kandahar City.