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18th Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan |
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Saturday, 14 August 2010 |
 A Special Forces soldier serving with the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan was killed in action during an engagement with insurgents early this morning [AEST].
29 year old, Trooper Jason Thomas Brown from the Perth-based Special Air Service Regiment died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in the engagement. Trooper Brown's family was notified in the early hours of this morning and they have agreed to the release of his name.
Trooper Brown's family have requested that the media respect their privacy at this extremely difficult time.
Trooper Brown was part of a combined Australian and Afghan patrol conducting operations in Northern Kandahar at the time of the incident.
Acting Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley, said despite the best efforts of his mates and a rapid aero-medical evacuation, Trooper Brown was pronounced dead on arrival at the International Security Assistance Force Kandahar Medical Facility.
"We are all deeply saddened by the loss of this fine young Australian," Lieutenant General Hurley said.
"I offer my sympathies to Jason's family and the Australian Defence Force remains committed to providing full support during the difficult days and weeks ahead."
"This terrible incident is a sad reminder of the dangers faced by our soldiers in Afghanistan on a daily basis and the risks they take on behalf of this country to make Afghanistan a better place."
Trooper Brown will return to Australia in the coming days. He is the 18th Australian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. |
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Rocket attack on Australian forces at Kandahar airfield |
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Thursday, 22 July 2010 |
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The Multi-National Base at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan came under insurgent rocket attack late Monday evening.
Rockets struck the Kandahar Airfield,
with one causing minor damage to an Australian facility. There were no
Australian casualties as a result of the attack.
Deputy Commander of Australian Forces
in the Middle East, Commodore Roger Boyce said that Australian Forces
are well prepared for such attacks and that the minor damage will have
no effect on operational capabilities.
“Coalition and Australian Forces in Kandahar receive occasional in-direct fire from insurgents,” Commodore Boyce said.
“The attacks last night caused only
minor damage to a protected facility and will have no effect on the
continuity of Australian and Coalition operations in Kandahar.
“Specific details of the incident will
not be released as this would provide insurgents with information to
assist them in future attacks and jeopardise the lives of Australian
and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.”
The ADF incorporates a range of
procedures that reinforce the multiple layers of physical protection
available to our deployed forces in order to combat the threat of
rocket attacks.
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Australian Chinook helicopter fired upon by insurgents |
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Friday, 16 July 2010 |
 An Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter was fired upon by insurgents yesterday as it was taking off from a coalition patrol base in the Arghandab Valley region of Kandahar.
Two coalition forces soldiers on board the helicopter received minor wounds as a result of the attack. There were no Australian personnel wounded in the incident.
The Chinook immediately flew to the Role Three Medical Facility at the Kandahar Air Base where the two coalition forces soldiers are currently being treated for their wounds.
The Chinook was supporting an ISAF operation at the time of the attack.
Commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General John Cantwell said the coalition soldiers were provided immediate first aid while en route to the medical facility at the Kandahar Air Base.
“Our Australian troops are well trained which was evident in the way the crew reacted to the incident in providing immediate medical assistance to the wounded soldiers and ensuring the Chinook arrived at the medical facility in less than 15 minutes,” Major General Cantwell said.
“The two wounded coalition soldiers are currently receiving further medical treatment at the Role Three medical centre.
“The Australian Chinooks regularly support ISAF operations in southern Afghanistan, often in hazardous environments and do an amazing job in this support role.”
An investigation is currently underway to establish the extent of the damage sustained by the helicopter.
The incident is unlikely to impact on ongoing operations in the region.
“We are thankful that no Australian soldiers were wounded during the attack but our thoughts are with the two coalition soldiers as they recover from their wounds,” said Major General Cantwell. |
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IED Kills Mentoring Task Force Digger |
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Saturday, 10 July 2010 |
 An Australian soldier serving with the 1st Mentoring Task Force in Afghanistan was killed by an improvised explosive device late last night, Australian time [9 July 2010].
Another solider from the same patrol suffered minor wounds as a result of the blast and is currently receiving medical treatment at Role 2 medical facility at Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt.
The soldiers were part of a dismounted Australian patrol conducting operations in the Chora Valley region of Uruzgan province.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said the loss would be deeply felt by the soldier’s family, his unit, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.
“To this soldier’s family, I offer my heartfelt sympathies and promise the full support of the Australian Defence Force in the hard days and weeks ahead,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
“This soldier’s family can be very proud of their loved one. He was a very experienced and professional soldier, who was on his third operational tour in his five years with the Army.
“He fought for our nation and our beliefs and demonstrated daily the core Army values of courage, initiative and teamwork.
“This incident is a sad reminder of the dangers faced by our soldiers in Afghanistan on a daily basis. The threat posed by improvised explosive devices is ever present.
“On the day that we farewell Private Scott Palmer, this latest fatality further deepens the feeling of loss on this already very sad day.”
The body of this fallen Australian soldier will return to Australia in the coming days.
In response to a request from the deceased soldier’s family, his name will not be released at this point. The details of the wounded soldier will not be released.
17 Australian Defence Force personnel have been killed since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001. 43 Australians have been wounded this year. To date 143 personnel have been wounded since Operation SLIPPER began. |
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C-130 Hercules rotation returns home after successful deployment |
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Friday, 09 July 2010 |
The latest rotation of the Royal Australian Air Force's C-130
Hercules detachment to the Middle East has been recognised by the
Acting Chief of Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Geoff Brown.
Air Vice Marshal Brown said the 37 members of the detachment returning
to Sydney today and last week provided support to OPERATION SLIPPER and
KRUGER during their deployment.
"Their flexibility, adaptability and dedication to duty under
difficult circumstances have contributed significantly to effective
operations in the Middle East, particularly in Afghanistan," Air Vice
Marshal Brown said.
"The conduct of the team has enhanced the ADF's reputation as a capable and professional military force.
"Every member of the team should be justifiably proud of their achievements."
The detachment mainly from RAAF Base Richmond completed 133 missions
involving 349 sorties, lifting 6,924 passengers and approx.1,170 metric
tonnes of cargo.
Air Vice Marshal Brown paid special tribute to the maintainers and
administration staff who worked tirelessly to maintain the Australian
aircraft and the detachment at a high state of readiness during their
deployment.
"The commitment of the C-130 detachments personnel to maintain their
aircraft in such a high state of readiness is indicative of their
professionalism and dedication to their task, "Air Vice Marshal Brown
said.
"Their efforts have ensured the Australian C-130 detachment is an integral part of the ISAF operations."
Among the other tasks the detachment provided support to VIP visits
and numerous short notice missions including the movement of over 400
Afghan National Army soldiers.
The next C-130 detachment has begun flight operations in the Middle East. |
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