Three Australian soldiers have been killed and seven injured in a helicopter crash in the rugged north of Kandahar Province in Afghanistan.

 

It is believed at this point that the helicopter was not shot down by enemy fire but it is unknown what caused the crash, Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.

"This was not the result of enemy action," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

Other Coalition helicopters were able to land nearby the crash site and recover the bodies and wounded soldiers.

 

Of the seven wounded soldiers, two are in a serious condition and have been airlifted to a US Air Force base at Bagram.

 

The dead soldiers were members of the 2nd commando regiment and had done three tours of Afghanistan.

 

Air Chief Marshal Houston said the commandoes were last week were involved in a major battle in the same region in which the helicopter crashed.

"We don’t know what caused the crash yet but the terrain is rugged, the helicopters are often heavily loaded, it’s at high altitude and it was three o’clock in the morning. All of these factors will no doubt be considered," he said.

Air Chief Marshal Houston said the soldiers were highly experienced.

"Time after time, they have taken the fight to the enemy with courage and determination," he said.

"I have nothing but admiration and respect for these very brave and committed Australians."

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said it was a "tragic day for Australia and the Australian Defence Force".

"This is a very heavy price to pay," he said.

 

But he said Australia’s mission in Afghanistan was critical, Mr Rudd said.

"We work beside our allies ... to avoid Afghanistan once again becoming a breeding ground for terrorists who can then strike at innocent Australians both at home and abroad."

Mr Rudd said all Australians owed the soldiers a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

 

"It will never be forgotten," Mr Rudd said.

The Prime Minister said his thoughts were also with the seven soldiers who have been injured, promising that they would receive the best possible medical care.

 

Air Chief Marshal Houston sent a message of support to members of the Special Operations Task Group.

"I am immensely proud of your efforts, and I greatly respect what you’ve been able to achieve," he said.

"I ask you now to be there for each other, draw strength from all that you have accomplished, and use the support that we are offering as you deal with the loss of your close mates."

The crash brings Australia's death toll in Afghanistan to 16.

Another ISAF soldier - from another country - was also killed, Defence Minister John Faulkner said.

 

Standing alongside Air Chief Marshal Houston, Senator Faulkner said that he intended making a statement to Parliament about the timeframe for Australia’s mission in Afghanistan before the end of this week.

"Our nation today lost three courageous soldiers," Senator Faulkner said.

"This is a tragic day for Australia."

 

Air Chief Marshal Houston expressed condolences to the soldiers' families.

"On behalf of all the men and women of the ADF I extend my sympathies to the families of these three fine commandos we lost this morning," he said.

"We in the ADF are doing everything we can to support them at this time. But obviously they are very shocked and very distressed."

 

Australia suffered multiple casualties in Afghanistan this month.

Sapper Darren Smith, a 26-year-old combat engineer died in a roadside bomb blast.

The blast also killed Sapper Jacob Moerland, 21, and Sapper Smith's bomb detector dog, Herbie.

 

Today's crash comes as an Essential Research poll shows that public opposition to Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan has jumped by 11% since March last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source http://www.theage.com.au/national/three-australian-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan-20100621-yrms.html

 

 

 

 

RIP Diggers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recon

Edited June 21, 201014 yr by cm

RIP

LEST WE FORGET.. the realisation of what im getting into is now very much upon me.. ill do anything for my country though just as these members have !

 

RIP

RIP

RIP

RIP boys, and prayers go out to their familys, and also the 7 wounded and their family.

Damn, this is no good at all.

 

RIP to the fallen and prayers to their family and to those that have been wounded.

Those bloody blackhawks, they've killed some of our finest...

 

Not really blaming the chopper or anything, but i couldnt help but notice its casualty list..

 

Thats if they were in a BH. The OP doesnt say, but im sure i read somewhere this arvo it was a BH. Could be wrong.

Edited June 21, 201014 yr by Chance1

Lest We Forget

Those bloody blackhawks, they've killed some of our finest...

 

Not really blaming the chopper or anything, but i couldnt help but notice its casualty list..

 

Thats if they were in a BH. The OP doesnt say, but im sure i read somewhere this arvo it was a BH. Could be wrong.

 

When I went through 5th Aviation last year, the mechanics were saying how it is one of the most survivable helicopters in a crash in the world. When it hits the deck, the seats collapse and slide to the front to absorb the impact.

But no-one really knows what happened here, so its no use speculating...

Lest We Forget

 

 

Any names ?

Ive got a good friend over there right now in commandos unit.

Names won't be released, deaths can only be released on family's wish.

actualy i was under the impression that they wont release names untill the familys have been well informed. till then its justg a information black out. also i THINK it was a chinook that went down, could be very wrong but, since we dont even know if it was an aussie chopper, cus we also dont have BH's in afghanistan (as far as i know that is.)

They died with there boots on. cant ask for more then that.

 

As for the Taliban, i think they might have pissed off the wrong people. **** storm be head'n there way...........

 

 

 

RIP

 

Today's crash comes as an Essential Research poll shows that public opposition to Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan has jumped by 11% since March last year.

 

They dont want to come home, they want to succeed in there missions. They want to win......

 

sigh :gun2:

Sadly the concept of 'winning a war' isn't so clear cut these days.

 

I heard this was the same group who's operations were filmed recently (and posted in the randomness thread).

 

I feel for the families left behind. RIP.

They died with there boots on. cant ask for more then that.

 

 

 

 

WTF dude......

 

To come home standing in those boots is what they wanted.

I find it objectional these posts being used for political or social commentry. Pay your respects by all means but anything else is anything but imo.

Edited June 22, 201014 yr by Sapper28

Actually i was under the impression that they wont release names untill the familys have been well informed

 

From what i am aware in the SF community, the wounded personnel won't be disclosed for security reasons, and with any deceased, the next of kin must approve the release of their name. I think changes have been made over the years due to certain incidents with families.

 

Tis always a tragedy when we lose soldiers, more so when they had little control over the situation.

@Delta ah k fair enough, well now i know

Private Benjamin Chuck

 

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Jun/20100622/20091216ara00000_0255_lo.jpg

 

Private Scott Palmer

 

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Jun/20100622a/20091216ara00000_0243_lo.jpg

 

Private Tim Aplin

 

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Jun/20100622b/20100622ara00000_0005_lo.jpg

 

Rest in Peace fellas.

RIP.

 

This really sucks, more than usual. At least if they die in combat they die doing what they wanted to do.

Thanks for that info Ballistic.