Peacekeeper Day in Canada Why August 9 is National Peacekeepers Day Tragically on August 9, 1974. Buffalo aircraft number 115461, on a routine flight to Damascus, had left Beirut and climbed eastward over the Lebanese highlands. It was being painted by Syrian radar, and as it neared the village of Diemas, someone in the SAM site there decided to Terminate its progress. Several SAMs were launched, at least one being on target. The Buffalo, commanded by Capt Gary Foster, was blown out of the sky. Nine Canadians lost their lives in this bizarre incident. Though it was investigated by the UN, CF and Syrians, no satisfactory public explanation of the tragedy was released. When Flight 51 was destroyed, it resulted in largest single-incident loss of life in the history of Canadian Peacekeeping operations. Lest We Forget our Peacekeepers.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 03:38:27 +0000
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