CEFCOM NR–06.27 - October 3, 2006
OTTAWA – Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier, Commander Expeditionary Force Command, has convened a military Board of Inquiry (BOI) to examine the circumstances of the A-10 friendly fire incident, which took place on 4 September in Panjwaii District, Afghanistan, during Operation Medusa. The incident claimed the life of Private Mark Graham and wounded a number of other Canadian Forces personnel.
A BOI is an administrative investigation normally convened to examine and report on complex or significant events. It serves to determine what occurred, how and why it occurred, and proposes measures that might prevent the possibility of recurrence.
Named as the President of the BOI, Colonel Jean-Luc Milot will head a team that will collect and assess the available evidence in order to determine the circumstances and sequence of events that led to the casualties, including the death of Private Graham. In addition to the President, the BOI includes three core members plus specialist military advisors and an officer from the U.S. Air Force.
There are a total of four investigations now underway related to this friendly fire incident. In addition to the Canadian BOI, the US Air Force (USAF) and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have each convened separate inquiries. The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service routinely investigates deaths of service members while on duty.
Canadian Forces Brigadier General, Duff Sullivan, is serving as Co-President of a U.S.A.F. Combined investigation Board (CIB), the membership of which also includes a CF Legal Officer and another CF specialist advisor.
ISAF has commenced its investigation, also with international representation. The Canadian representative to this investigation is Colonel AJ Stephenson.
All four investigations will issue separate reports.
It is anticipated that the Canadian BOI, its advisors and support team will depart for Afghanistan shortly to begin the investigation. At the completion of the BOI, the Canadian report will be submitted to Lt-Gen Gauthier for consideration, and subsequently to the Chief of the Defence Staff.
The findings, results and recommendations will then be made public, subject to the limitations on the releases of information imposed by the Privacy Act and the Access to the Information Act.
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