Canadian soldier on NATO mission found dead in Latvia

A Canadian Armed Forces member deployed to Eastern Europe on a NATO mission was found dead in Latvia on Friday after being reported missing for three days, the Canadian military said.

Warrant Officer George Hohl, a vehicle technician with 408 Helicopter Squadron in Alberta who had served nearly 20 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, was discovered while deployed on Operation REASSURANCE with the Aviation Battalion under the NATO Multinational Brigade-Latvia. The cause of death has not been determined, and Canadian forces said they are working with Latvian authorities on the investigation.

Canada’s Department of National Defence said it does not believe the incident poses a threat to other deployed members. Military officials said Hohl went missing for three days before being located and that search efforts had been under way.

In statements released following the discovery, senior Canadian officials offered condolences and highlighted Hohl’s years of service. "I am deeply saddened to learn of this outcome following the search efforts in Latvia over the last several days," Lieutenant-General Steven Boivin, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, said. "My heartfelt condolences go out to Warrant Officer Hohl’s family, loved ones and friends during this difficult time. Warrant Officer Hohl’s two decades of service with the Canadian Armed Forces are a testament of his dedication to Canada both at home and abroad."

General Jennie Carignan, Canada’s chief of the defence staff, said the loss had affected members across the service. "The loss of Warrant Officer George Hohl has hit us all very hard," she said. "On behalf of the entire Canadian Armed Forces, I offer my deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues. Warrant Officer Hohl will be remembered for his many years of dedicated service, and our hearts are with all who knew him during this time of great sorrow."

A tribute post attributed to the prime minister on social media also expressed condolences. The post noted that Hohl had been deployed as part of the Multinational Brigade Latvia and offered sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues.

Hohl was married and had children. A Meal Train fundraising page was set up to support his family, according to postings shared by colleagues.

Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s largest overseas mission and has contributed forces to NATO efforts in Central and Eastern Europe since 2017. Its stated objective is to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in the region. About 2,000 Canadian soldiers are part of the mission in Latvia, which officials have described as a tripwire force intended to reinforce collective defence in the event of aggression.

During a visit to Latvia in 2025, Canada’s prime minister announced a three-year extension of Operation REASSURANCE. The continuation of the mission was framed as part of Canada’s ongoing contribution to NATO’s presence and readiness in Eastern Europe.

The Canadian Armed Forces said it will continue to cooperate with Latvian authorities as the investigation proceeds and that further details would be released as appropriate. Officials emphasized that, while the circumstances of Hohl’s death remain under review, there is currently no indication of a wider security threat to Canadian personnel in the region.