A military transport carrying the body of the latest Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan is heading home.
More than 1,500 soldiers stood in tribute at Kandahar Airfield as Sapper Brian Collier's casket was carried aboard on the aircraft.
The Ontario native, who was based out of Edmonton, was on a foot patrol in the village of Nakhonay when he was killed by the blast from an improvised explosive device.
Collier had been wounded by an explosion early on during his deployment, but worked his way back to join his comrades.
Wednesday's ramp ceremony was held under the cover of darkness because of scorching daytime heat and the risk of attack during the busy summer fighting season.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Gen. Walter Natynczyk, Canada's chief of defence staff, were also on hand for the ceremony.