The body of the latest Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan returned home Thursday afternoon aboard a military aircraft arriving at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario.

Trooper Karine Blais died Monday when the vehicle she was riding in struck an improvised explosive device in Kandahar's Shah Wali Kot district. (Canadian Forces Combat Camera/DND)

Trooper Karine Blais, 21, was killed and four other soldiers were wounded Monday when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, north of Kandahar city.

Blais, from the town of Les Mechins in eastern Quebec, was just two weeks into her first tour of duty in Afghanistan.

She was based at CFB Valcartier, Que., and served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment, also known as the Van Doos, but was a member of the 12th Armoured Regiment of Canada.

After the plane carrying the body arrived at CFB Trenton, the casket began a journey west to Toronto along a stretch of Ontario's Highway 401 that is known as the Highway of Heroes. It's routinely lined with civilians and veterans every time a repatriation motorcade from the base passes by.

A total of 117 Canadian soldiers have died as part of the Afghan mission since it began in 2002. Blais was the second female Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

Capt. Nichola Goddard of Shilo, Man., became the first female Canadian soldier to be killed by insurgents in Afghanistan in May 2006 when a rocket-propelled grenade struck her light-armoured vehicle.

About 1,000 soldiers from various NATO countries joined comrades from the Van Doos on Tuesday for a solemn farewell to Blais in a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield.

On the same day, the young soldier's family released a statement in which she was described as someone who displayed "dynamic leadership" and "dedication to her regiment."

"You are our ray of sunshine and you will always be in our hearts. Your sense of humour and your vivacity will remain forever in our memories," her family said.