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US defense secretary expresses condolences for fallen Canadian soldier

By DoD News, Defense Media Activity

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WASHINGTON, March 9, 2015 – Defense Secretary Ash Carter spoke by phone yesterday with Canadian Minister of Defense Jason Kenney, extending his condolences to Kenney and to the family of Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron, a Canadian special forces soldier killed March 6 in Iraq, Pentagon officials said in a statement.

Doiron was killed in a friendly fire incident during an advise-and-assist mission with Kurdish security forces supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in northern Iraq.

Three other Canadian soldiers were wounded in the incident and are being treated for their injuries. This incident is under investigation.

In a statement, Defense Department officials noted that Doiron was the first Canadian service member killed while engaging in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Carter also wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured, the statement said.

This was Carter's first conversation with Kenney, who became defense minister Feb. 9. Carter thanked him for his leadership and for Canada's contributions to global security efforts, officials said, including their support to ongoing operations in Iraq against ISIL and for Canada's contributions to Ukraine.

“As NATO allies, [North American Aerospace Defense Command] partners and North American neighbors, Secretary Carter and Minister Kenney highlighted the deep and enduring defense partnership between the United States and Canada,” the Pentagon statement said. “The two leaders noted that they look forward to meeting in person and agreed to continue the strong institutional and personal relationship that their predecessors enjoyed.”