The body of Trooper Michael Hayakaze, the 79th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan, was returned to Canada on Thursday afternoon in a ceremony in eastern Ontario.

Pallbearers carry the casket of Trooper Michael Yuki Hayakaze during his repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton on Thursday.
(Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Gov.-Gen. Michaëlle Jean and Defence Minister Peter MacKay joined family and other dignitaries on the tarmac of Canadian Forces Base Trenton as a transport carrying Hayakaze arrived.

Hayakaze, a member of the Lord Strathcona's Horse, an armoured regiment based in Edmonton, was killed Sunday by a roadside bomb while on a resupply mission west of Kandahar city.

The 25-year-old's death came just days before his tour was up.

He had been in Afghanistan since October and had replaced another driver who was injured by a roadside bomb.

In addition to the 79 soldiers, one Canadian diplomat has died in the conflict.

More than 2,500 soldiers from several different countries lined the tarmac in Kandahar airfield on Tuesday to salute Hayakaze on his final journey home.

Hayakaze hadn't been in the forces for very long before he was sent to Afghanistan, a move that left him a little nervous.

But fellow soldiers said he quickly adapted and was always cheerful.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

With files from the Canadian Press