I think most Canadians, while saddened by this, will fully understand that in situations where a single split-second decision can mark the difference between catastrophe and "another day at the office," bad things can happen.

Canadians have played a role in the world, and they know very well that the cost of participation is sometimes heavy with painful irony. They have in the past lost their own people to their own fire. It's never stopped the Canadian Military from stepping forward and doing its duty.

I also sincerely hope the pilot of the F-16 realizes that while there is tragedy to deal with, there is no blame.