It is with deep regret that the Australian Defence Force confirms that Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, Sapper James Martin and Private Robert Poate were killed on operations in Afghanistan on 29 August 2012.
The three Australian soldiers were killed in an insider attack at Patrol Base Wahab in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province.
Planning for the repatriation of the fallen Australian soldiers has begun although the date for their return to Australia has not yet been confirmed.
The families of Lance Corporal Milosevic, Sapper Martin and Private Poate are receiving support from Defence and have requested their privacy be respected during this difficult time.
Media Note:
Personal details of Lance Corporal Milosevic, Sapper Martin and Private Poate are available at:
http://www.defence.gov.au/vale/lcpl_milosevic/lcpl_milosevic.htm
http://www.defence.gov.au/vale/spr_martin/spr_martin.htm
http://www.defence.gov.au/vale/pte_poate/pte_poate.htm
Images of Lance Corporal Milosevic, Sapper Martin and Private Poate are available at:
http://images.defence.gov.au/12130814
Media contact:
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
