Four soldiers wounded in Afghanistan

Four Australian soldiers have been wounded when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated during coalition supported Afghan National Security Force operations in Uruzgan Province.

One soldier, who was seriously wounded, was aero-medically evacuated to Tarin Kot Role 2 Medical Facility and subsequently transferred to the Role 3 Medical Facility at Kandahar for further specialist treatment.

This soldier has now commenced transfer to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

A second soldier was also aero-medically evacuated to Tarin Kot for treatment and later transferred to the Role 3 Medical Facility at Kandahar.

This soldier remains in the Role 3 Medical Facility in Kandahar and is currently undergoing assessment by medical specialists.

The two remaining soldiers were treated by medics on site prior to medical evacuation to Tarin Kot where they remain under medical observation.

Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) Task Group, Lieutenant Colonel Trent Scott, said that quick action by soldiers on the ground saved a comrade’s life.

“The application of immediate medical assistance meant that a soldier’s life was saved,” Lieutenant Colonel Scott said.

“The training our soldiers receive in preparation for deployment, together with access to first-class medical support, meant that our wounded soldiers received the best possible care at the earliest opportunity.

“The soldiers had been working alongside their Afghan partners at the time of the incident. This is essential work as we transition to the Afghan security forces taking the lead on operations in the future. The thoughts of all members of Combined Team Uruzgan and 3 RAR Task Group are very much with the families and loved ones of those wounded in this incident.”

The soldiers’ next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from Defence. The ADF does not release personal details of wounded personnel.

Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999