AUS Soldier Reported Killed in IED Incident

[The Bread Guy]

Condolences to family, colleagues and friends of the fallen, speedy recovery to the injured....

Shared with usual disclaimer - nothing yet (as of posting) on ISAF or AUS DoD site....

One dead after road bomb
Sydney Morning Herald, 8 Oct 07
Article link

It has been confirmed that an Aussie soldier has died after a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

A group of Australian troops was patrolling part of Oruzgan province today when they were caught up in an incident involving an improvised explosive device (IED), the Defence Department said tonight.

Defence was unable to confirm reports several Australians had been injured in the blast, and was seeking further information about the incident.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Brussels confirmed there had been at least one casualty stemming from the explosion.

But an ISAF spokesman was unable to say if any Australians were involved, or if ``casualties'' referred to injuries or deaths.

"We are aware of an incident in Oruzgan province in which we had some ISAF casualties today,'' a spokesman told AAP.

"There's more than one casualty. Casualties could mean either wounded or killed in action.''

Last month, three Australian soldiers were injured during an intense firefight with Taliban forces.

Australia's deployment to Afghanistan is expected to peak at more than 1,000 troops by mid next year.



Blasts kill NATO soldier in Afghan south
Reuters, 8 Oct 07
Article link

A roadside bomb hit a convoy of NATO forces on Monday in southern Afghanistan, killing one soldier, the alliance said, as three children were wounded in a suicide attack.

The blast occurred in an area of Uruzgan province where Dutch and Australian troops form the bulk of NATO's force, it said without identifying the casualties. One soldier was wounded.

Violence has surged to its worst level in the past 20 months in Afghanistan, the bloodiest period since U.S.-led troops overthrew Taliban's government in 2001.
Photo

Separately on Monday, a suicide bomber missed his target in a neighbouring province, wounding three children instead of hitting a convoy of Western troops, witnesses said.

The blast happened close to a government building in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand, a long-time bastion for Taliban insurgents and the main drug-producing region of the world's largest source of heroin.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the Taliban largely rely on roadside attacks and suicide raids as part of their campaign against the Afghan government and foreign troops stationed in the country.



- edited to add Reuters account -

 

[tomahawk6]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22551765-601,00.html

AN Australian soldier may have been killed in action after a roadside bomb hit an Australian vehicle in Afghanistan.

The bomb exploded on the side of a road as armoured vehicles of Australian security contingent guarding the Reconstruction Task Force based at Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan Province passed by.

ABC radio has reported a number of Australian soldiers have been injured in the blast.

The soldier would be the first Australian to die from direct enemy action in the military commitment in either Afghanistan or Iraq.

Troops from the Townsville based 1st Combat Engineers, the Melbourne based Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment and the Queensland Mounted Rifles from Brisbane make up the security detachment.

Defence was unable to provide any further details and a spokesman said he was waiting for more information from the task group.

A spokesman for Defence Minister Brendan Nelson was unable to immediately provide any further details of the incident.

An information blackout is normally invoked when casualties occur so the families can be notified.

SAS Sergeant Andrew Russell was killed in 2002 when his Long Range Patrol Vehicle drove over a land mine in western Afghanistan.

Two special forces troops were wounded when their vehicle was hit by a similar device last month.

An army sniffer dog called Razz was killed after he detected an improvised explosive device (IED) beside a road earlier in the month.

Those incidents followed an earlier blast as diggers drove past in a Bushmaster armoured transport vehicle. None was injured.

The government has stepped up warnings about possible casualties in recent weeks after a spate of bomb attacks by resurgent Taliban forces.

Last month, three Australian soldiers were injured during an intense firefight with Taliban forces.

Australia's deployment to Afghanistan is expected to peak at more than 1000 troops by the middle of next year.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Just in from AUS DoD:

RTF SOLDIER KILLED IN ROADSIDE BOMB ATTACK
AUS Department of Defence news release CPA 355/07, 8 Oct 07
Article link

One Australian soldier serving with the Reconstruction Task Force has  been killed and another soldier wounded when an Improvised Explosive  Device detonated next to their vehicle in Oruzgan Province today.  Although the families of the two soldiers have been informed, personal  details will not be released at this time.  The wounded soldier was provided with immediate first aid and evacuated  to a nearby medical facility by an ISAF helicopter.  He is undergoing further treatment.  His wounds are serious but are not considered life-threatening.  Defence is providing assistance to the families of the two soldiers and will continue to support them through this very difficult time.  This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the two soldiers involved.  The Chief of the ADF, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, will provide additional details at a Media Conference at 6 am on Tuesday 9 October 2007.



- edited to add link to news release when available -

 

[GAP]

Any idea what they are driving in the normal day to day stuff? Just wondering after hearing about the open jeep type vehicles the Brits ae supposed to be using.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Open sources that I can find on the fly show mostly Bushmasters or an AUS variant of the LAV - happy to hear from anyone who's been there, done that to elaborate without violating OPSEC, though.

 

[1feral1]

Shared IAW the usual...

We knew it was bound to happen, as our luck had carried us a long way without any recent KIAs.

I hope its our last, but thats unlikely.

This off 9MSN just now.

I first heard about this at dinner about 12 hrs ago, but reports said  'maybe' casualties.

Its just before 0500 here now.

------------------------------------


Australian soldier dies in Afghan blast
Tuesday Oct 9 00:26 AEST
An Australian soldier has been killed and another seriously injured in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan.

The soldier, whose name has not been released, is the first Australian to die from a direct enemy attack in Afghanistan or Iraq.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) confirmed a group of Australians had been patrolling an area of Oruzgan province when they were targeted by militants who detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) next to their vehicle.

Families of the two soldiers have been informed but personal details have not been released.




"The wounded soldier was provided with immediate first aid and evacuated to a nearby medical facility by an ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) helicopter," Defence said.

"He is undergoing further treatment. His wounds are serious but are not considered life-threatening.

"This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the two soldiers involved."

Taliban insurgents have been intensifying their attacks in recent months on the international Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.

Last month, three Australians were wounded during a firefight with Taliban forces near Tarin Kowt, in Oruzgan province.

In August, two Australian troops were injured in a shootout with enemy militants, and in June, an Australian survived a car bomb attack that killed a Dutch soldier and six civilians.

Defence chief, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, was expected to provide further details of the latest attack on Australian forces at a media briefing early on Tuesday.

Earlier, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Brussels said there had been at least one casualty stemming from the explosion.

Australian security forces in Afghanistan - numbering almost 1,000 - have been helping to guard the Reconstruction Task Force, based at Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan province.

Troops from the Townsville-based 1st Combat Engineers, the Melbourne-based Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment and the Queensland Mounted Rifles from Brisbane make up the security detachment.

Violence in Afghanistan has surged to its worst level in almost two years, the bloodiest period since US-led troops overthrew the Taliban government in 2001.

Taliban militants have made increasing use of IEDs to launch sudden attacks on allied vehicle convoys.

The homemade bombs are often hidden by the roadside and detonated remotely using radio devices such as mobile phones or toy controllers.

The NATO-led ISAF has about 12,000 troops in Afghanistan.

Australia Defence Association spokesman Neil James tonight said some members of the force - the US, Britain, Canada and the Netherlands - were shouldering a far greater responsibility than others.

"There are a lot of other NATO members that aren't bearing anywhere near that burden," Mr James told Sky News.

"The Canadians, for example, have had 70-odd killed in the last two years or so.

"So you can understand why some NATO members are getting angry at some other NATO members for not adopting an appropriate share of the burden."

Until now, just one serving Australian soldier had died in action in the Middle East.

Special Air Service Regiment Sergeant Andrew Russell, a member of Australia's first deployment to Afghanistan, died in February 2002 when his vehicle hit a landmine.

His was the first Australian death in combat since the Vietnam War.

In November 2005, SASR Warrant Officer David Russell Nary, of Perth, died in Kuwait when struck by a vehicle during a training exercise ahead of his deployment into Iraq.

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I will say these guys are fresh on the ground, as many from my regiment were farewelled from here a matter of days ago. Not a great way to begin a tour.

For the WIA, a speedy recovery, and for the Digger killed, lets get him home.

Not a good day....


Wes

 

[Mike Baker]

Not good at all. RIP 

 

[deedster]

Very sorry to hear this, especially on this day (in Canada) where we give thanks.  THANK YOU & RIP to the fallen and speedy recovery to the wounded.

 

[geo]

A sad day indeed,
My condolences to the Family, friends and comrades in arms

He is at peace now,

At the going down of the sun
and in the morn,
we will remember them

CHIMO! 

 

[1feral1]

Latest 9MSN says he's Brisbane based, so he is one of ours. 40 yrs old, and a father of two. Sucks!

Not a good day.

I am at home today, a touch of the flu.


Wes

 

[tomahawk6]

A thread on Light Fighter has been started for this soldier in the memorial section.My condolences Wes.

 

[GAP]

Condolances 

 

[Trooper Hale]

My condolences to all the boys and i hope they recover quickly. The RAAC is a small community, like Canada's, and any KIA is a big thing. I feel so sorry for his family. They ought to be proud of him and his actions. I know i am. Rest in peace boss and we'll always remember you.
"Forward"

From what i've heard, and i've no doubt Wes will know better, they were travelling in an ASLAV which is basically a coyote without the serv gear.

Troops from the Townsville based 1st Combat Engineers, the Melbourne based Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment and the Queensland Mounted Rifles from Brisbane make up the security detachment.

I love my Regiment getting credit for things but i dont think this is fair. While we do have a couple of people over there, they wear 2/14 badges. 4/19 PWLH isnt a part of the security detachment. The credit should be going to 2/14 Queensland Mounted Infantry and 2nd Cavalry Regiment. They're the boys who put their lives on the line.

 

[Trooper Hale]

Again, i'm really sorry to hear about this. It makes it sadder then his children and wife have lost him. RIP mate.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=303511
The Australian soldier killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan was a 41-year-old father-of-two based near Brisbane.

David Pearce joined the Army Reserve in 2002 at the age of 35 before signing up full-time in July last year .

He was serving with the Brisbane-based 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment when he died.

"With his life experience, outgoing personality and ability to relate to people of all ages, he was popular and respected member of his unit," the Department of Defence said in a statement.

"He was a patriotic Australian and loved his work with the Army, particularly the comradeship he developed with his mates."

Trooper Pearce's family have requested privacy and will not conduct any public interviews.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer dismissed speculation that Australia will withdraw troops from Afghanistan, pledging to "see the mission through".

"It is my view that the Australian people, in the event of one of our soldiers being killed, would not support an immediate surrender to the sort of people who killed our soldier," he told National Nine News.

"I think the Australian people are hardened in their resolve to ensure our mission is successful."

Mr Downer said the Australian mission "will not give in…to a vicious, nasty terrorist organisation".

"We will see this through," he said.

An improvised explosive device (IED) detonated next to the soldiers' military vehicle in Afghanistan's Oruzgan province on Monday, six kilometres from their base at Tarin Kowt.

The deceased soldier had been driving the vehicle.

He is the first to be killed by direct enemy action in the current Australian deployments to Afghanistan or Iraq.

Australian Defence Force chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston would not release the names and ranks of the soldiers at the request of their families.

He said the pair were part of a team protecting engineers undertaking reconstruction work in the province and the wounded soldier's injuries were not life-threatening.

"He is likely to make a full recovery and return to work in the near future," Air Chief Marshal Houston told reporters.

He said arrangements were being made to bring home the body of Trooper Pearce, which would be escorted at all times.

Defence would be keen to avoid another bungle like the one following the death in Iraq of Private Jake Kovco, whose body was initially left behind in a Kuwait morgue and the body of a Bosnian man flown to Australia instead.

"We're now working on arrangements to bring the body of the fallen soldier back to Australia," Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said.

"This will be by ADF or permanently chartered ADF aircraft and his body will be under constant escort by ADF personnel."

Air Chief Marshal Houston said Australians would continue to support our troops in Afghanistan despite the tragic incident.

"We have got a very clear mission in Afghanistan and certainly all of my people support that mission 100 per cent and broadly the Australian public support our troops," he said.

"Despite being deeply upset at the death of their mate, soldiers from the ADF are determined that they will not be diverted by the Taliban from their important reconstruction work."

Air Chief Marshal Houston said the Taliban was using increasingly sophisticated measures to attack coalition forces and there had been 25 IED attacks over the last four months.

"The threat in Afghanistan is very high, and very high means we expect casualties," he said.

The families of both soldiers were informed of the tragedy late on Monday night and were being provided assistance by the army, Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

"This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these two soldiers," he said.

Australia has almost 1,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led ISAF.

Last month, three Australians were wounded in a firefight with Taliban forces near Tarin Kowt.

In August, two Australian troops were injured in a shootout with enemy militants, and in June, an Australian survived a car bomb attack that killed a Dutch soldier and six civilians.

Good leadership, tactics and training could only protect Australian troops so far and an element of luck also was needed, Australia Defence Association executive director Neil James said.

Mr James said it would have required a reasonably large bomb to have killed the driver of an armoured vehicle but unfortunately that appeared to be what happened.

Mr James said the circumstances were unclear at this time but it appeared the attack occurred about 6km northeast of Tarin Kowt as the Australian troops were returning to base after providing security for an engineering construction task.

"Good leadership, good tactics, good equipment and good training only takes you so far. There is always a luck element. Unfortunately this time the enemy got lucky," he said.

"These attacks have been continuing for some time and the fact that this one has unfortunately resulted in a fatality doesn't necessarily mean an increase in the fighting in itself.

"The tempo and the nature of the fighting has been slowly increasing over the last six months or so."

Mr James said there was nothing wrong with the ASLAV, which along with the Australian-made Bushmaster infantry transport vehicle, was used extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"People who are trying to draw conclusions that this mean that the ASLAVs are inherently unsafe is a ridiculous judgment to make.

"In any war you need a mix of armoured vehicles from heavy down to light and the ASLAV is a light armoured vehicle," he said.

"I wouldn't necessarily think that it's due to any inherent fault in the vehicle. It is just one of those unfortunate things that happens in combat."

Mr James said the other soldiers would be shocked but not surprised at this tragedy.

"They are a close-knit team and when you lose someone it is always a big shock. But they wouldn't be surprised because they have been expecting something like this every day when they go out on patrol."

Mr James said the rising incidence of improvised explosive device attacks was to some extent a sign that the Taliban were incapable of mounting other forms of attack.

"Unfortunately in this type of counter-insurgency situation, laying roadside bombs is reasonably simple, particularly if you do it in areas where there aren't a lot of people," he said.

"There are not many people who can tip off the Afghan national army or the coalition forces where the bombs are."

 

[Benny]

Woke up to that news this morning and have spent the day hoping it wasn't someone I knew. Still no less sad though.

Condolences to his family.

 

[The Bread Guy]

ADF statement

Transcript of 9 Oct 07 news conference with Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston

Family's statement

The Department of Defence is releasing this statement on behalf of the family of Trooper David Pearce, the Australian soldier who was killed in Afghanistan on Monday, 8 October 2007.  The family has requested their privacy be respected and they will not be conducting any media interviews.  “David Pearce spent 18 wonderful years with his wife and had two beautiful daughters aged 11 and 6 years, who were the love and centre of his life.  David joined the Army relatively late in life.  After three years with the Army Reserve, including a tour of Solomon Islands, he joined the Regular Army at the age of 39.  With his life experience, outgoing personality and ability to relate to people of all ages, he was a popular and respected member of his unit.  He was a patriotic Australian and loved his work with the Army, particularly the comradeship he developed with his mates.  David’s family ask that their privacy be respected and have no further comment at this stage.”

- edited to add link to AUS CDF news conference transcript -

 

[1feral1]

Yes I know him! Not looking forward to the upcoming days.

EDIT - I am rather speachless, but my thoughts are with his mates over there, and here, and of course his family.

Wes

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Condolences to Tpr. Pearce's familiy and to his regiment.

Stand Easy Trooper, your mission is over.

 

[manhole]

Condolences to his family and friends........

 

[The Bread Guy]

Some of the latest from the AUS Def Forces:

The family of Trooper David Pearce has requested that donations to Legacy be made in lieu of floral tributes.

"Legacy assists widows of deceased veterans who have served in a war or operational area or whose death was occasioned by hazardous service or training for war."