The Defence Force has announced that an Australian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, making the latest casualty the 18th Australian death since the war began.

 

Trooper Jason Thomas Brown from the Perth-based Special Air Service Regiment was killed in an engagement with insurgents in Kandahar province overnight.

The 29-year-old sustained multiple gunshot wounds. His comrades gave him immediate first aid before he was airlifted to a military hospital, where he died.

 

Trooper Brown was part of a combined Australian and Afghan patrol conducting operations in Kandahar at the time of the incident, which occurred about 1:30am (AEST).

 

No other soldiers were injured.

 

Defence Minister John Faulkner says he cannot outline details of the incident because the operation is continuing.

He said, however, that Trooper Brown was engaged in "striking at the heart of the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan".

 

"The work is difficult, costly, but absolutely necessary if we are to achieve our goals in Afghanistan," Senator Faulkner said.

"This is a critical time for the international coalition in Afghanistan and for the Afghan people.

 

"The work of pushing back the Taliban is difficult, it is costly, but it's absolutely necessary if we are to achieve our goals in Afghanistan."

Trooper Brown had over 10 years' service in the Army and although it was his first deployment to Afghanistan, he had been deployed three times in East Timor.

 

His family was informed of his death this morning and gave permission for his name to be released.

Trooper Brown was unmarried and had no children.

 

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says her "most sincere condolences go out to his family and friends".

"This is tragic news for our nation; it's the 18th soldier we've lost and 145 of our personnel have been wounded," she said.

"The grief we feel of course is so much less than the devastation felt by his family and friends as they absorb this news today."

Ms Gillard says she is standing by Australia's continuing presence in Afghanistan.

"Our mission in Afghanistan is an important one because our nation cannot see Afghanistan once again become a safe haven for terrorists who are trained to take Australian lives," she said.

"The mission is a vital one, one we will pursue, but it's a dangerous mission ... our personnel are well-trained and well-led, but they pursue dangerous work ... and they do it with great courage and great bravery."

 

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says despite losing 18 soldiers in Afghanistan, Australia must continue to be part of the coalition that is fighting there.

"It is very important that Afghanistan never become a safe haven for terrorism, it is important that Australia pull its weight in the world and the Opposition continues to fully and strongly support the Australian commitment to Afghanistan," he said.

"The important thing to achieve is our mission, which is to ensure a stable government in Afghanistan and ensure the Afghan army in Uruzgan province is able to provide fit and stable security."

 

Source http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/14/2982924.htm

 

 

Rip digger

 

 

 

Recon

RIP mate.

 

I have a feeling this 'war' is something thats going to be fought by the kids of my generation. One can only hope that im wrong ...

got wonder how its still going on :/

i fear that its another vietnam

i fear that its another vietnam

 

But there are a few things different now-a-days. Plus, as tech improves, lets hope it gets easier, or at least safer. I mean look at the things coming out of the US now, this wouldn't have happened for ages if we hadn't gone to Afghanistan. Hopefully, hopefully, the Afghan and Iraq population growing up now realise what we are doing, and assist in stopping the 'terrorists'.

Edited August 14, 201014 yr by crawfs

Yes RIP matey.

 

Edit: I don't see how this is another Vietnam, the only obvious similarity is that there is an insurgent force.

Reasons of it and methods being used are completely different...

Edited August 14, 201014 yr by 『Tits Mc TIts』

this conflict is MUCH more complex than vientam, we started this we better damn well finish it...

 

anyway this is not the place to be discussing the conflict in afghanistan, lets just pay our respects and leave it at that aye...

 

RIP mate

 

"they shall not grow old as we that are left grow old"

Rest In Peace, Thank you for your service, Respect and condolences to the families involved.

lets just pay our respects and leave it at that aye...

 

RIP mate

 

"they shall not grow old as we that are left grow old"

:acute:

 

RIP Trooper Jason Thomas Brown.

Condolences to his family and friends.

 

Rest in Peace warrior.

RIP Digger, thank you for your service.

RIP

RIP

 

"The South Sydney Rabbitohs will wear black arm bands today to commemorate the passing of trooper Jason Brown.

 

Trooper Brown was based in Perth and was a proud South Sydney Member, himself being a talented footballer before joining the military.

 

On behalf of everyone connected with the Rabbitohs we offer our deepest condolences to the family."