Australian Special Forces soldiers wounded in Afghanistan

Two Australian soldiers and an ISAF-contracted civilian interpreter were struck by insurgent small arms fire during a partnered Afghan National Security Forces and Special Operations Task Group mission in Helmand Province yesterday (4 June, 2012).

The three personnel were wounded in separate engagements during the 14-hour mission against an identified drug processing facility in the north of the province.

Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Ash Power said the multiple incidents highlighted the effectiveness of the casualty care practices within Afghanistan.

“The team on the ground treated their mates and organised a rapid evacuation from the battlefield by helicopter for each of the three incidents,” Lieutenant General Power said.

“On arrival at a nearby ISAF medical facility, they were assessed, treated and most importantly stabilised by a team of medical specialists.”

Once stable, the three wounded personnel were transferred to a ISAF Role 3 Medical Facility, where they each underwent surgery.

Following treatment, the interpreter and one of the Australian soldiers are reported to be in a satisfactory medical condition and will now undertake a period of rest and recovery.

The second Australian soldier remains in a serious condition but is reported to be stable and responding well. It is likely he will move to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for further treatment in the coming days.

The wounded soldiers' families have been notified by Defence and are currently receiving support.

Lieutenant General Power said operations of this type disrupt the insurgent drug trade and reduce the finances used by the insurgency to sustain attacks on ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces.

“During the mission, the partnered Afghan and Australian force were engaged repeatedly by multiple insurgents,” Lieutenant General Power said.

“The partnered force fought through each of these engagements and captured large amount of processed opium, high-grade Poppy seed, drug processing equipment and several caches of weapons and explosives.”
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