Australian and Afghan soldiers patrolling Uruzgan’s Mirabad Valley were attacked by insurgents using multiple Improvised Explosive Devices and small arms fire yesterday (Friday, 2 July 2010).
The partnered 1st Mentoring Task Force and Afghan National Army elements were patrolling the valley on foot mid-Friday afternoon when the engagement commenced.
Two Australian soldiers suffered minor wounds when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated amongst their partnered patrol.
Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Jennings, said the wounded Australian soldiers received immediate first-aid from their patrol mates and received emergency trauma care at Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt within 40 minutes.
“Both soldiers were well looked after by the medical team and are in a fair condition with minor wounds,” Lieutenant Colonel Jennings said.
“They have both spoken with their families and were released from the medical facility soon after”.
Two Afghan soldiers were also wounded in one of the blasts. An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) casualty evacuation helicopter delivered the casualties to the ISAF Hospital at Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt within 40 minutes.
After evacuating the casualties, one of the patrols was rocked by another Improvised Explosive Device detonation.
“Immediately after this detonation the soldiers came under insurgent small-arms fire,” Lieutenant Colonel Jennings said.
“Thankfully no one was wounded in either the blast or the shooting and the patrol extracted under fire from the insurgents”.
The patrol observed approximately five armed insurgents take cover and took action to close on the enemy position.
An armed ISAF helicopter was called to assist after the Australian mentors confirmed they had positively identified the insurgents. The pilot also observed the insurgents and engaged with the helicopter’s cannon.
A fixed wing aircraft was also on station but the ground commander did not employ its heavier weapons to avoid civilian casualties and damage to local’s buildings.
“I’m pleased to say that everyone who was involved, from the soldiers in the valley through to the ISAF helicopter crews and medical staff performed admirably throughout quite a tense afternoon,” Lieutenant Colonel Jennings said.
“Most importantly however, the Afghan soldiers working with our Aussie mentors really stepped up”.
There were no other reported civilian, Afghan National Army or ISAF casualties.
These two casualties bring the number of Australians wounded this year to 38.
