ADF - Darkest Day since Long Tan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Burnaby BC
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ADF - Darkest Day since Long Tan
Three lost to yet another "green on blue" event. 
FIVE Diggers have been killed and two wounded in Afghanistan in Australia's worst combat losses in a single day since the Vietnam War. Three soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment were killed at a forward patrol base in Oruzgan province yesterday by a rogue Afghan soldier who fled the scene. A hunt is underway for the gunman, who opened fire on the Diggers from close range.
Two other Diggers were wounded in the same incident, one seriously, acting defence chief Air Marshal Mark Binskin told reporters today.
In an unrelated incident early today, two special service soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Helmand province.
There was no sign of enemy fire before the International Security and Assistance Force helicopter crashed and rolled over as it landed.
The deaths represent Australia's worst combat losses in a 24-hour period since the Battle of Long Tan, in Vietnam.
Two other Diggers were wounded in the same incident, one seriously, acting defence chief Air Marshal Mark Binskin told reporters today.
In an unrelated incident early today, two special service soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Helmand province.
There was no sign of enemy fire before the International Security and Assistance Force helicopter crashed and rolled over as it landed.
The deaths represent Australia's worst combat losses in a 24-hour period since the Battle of Long Tan, in Vietnam.
Defence has some details of the perpetrator of the insider attack, which occurred while the soldiers were relaxing at the end of the day, Air Marshal Binskin said.
“We're currently trying to track him as he's escaped. But I don't want to get into any more details on him at the moment,” he said.
Air Marshal Binskin said he was not sure of the attacker's motives or the events leading up to the shooting.
The three killed in the so-called “green on blue” incident were all based at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.
They were a 40-year-old lance corporal on his second tour of Afghanistan, posted to the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, and two privates, a 23-year old infantryman from 6th Battalion and a 21-year-old sapper from 2nd Combat Engineers Regiment.
Air Marshal Binskin said the helicopter crash occurred on landing during an “insertion” operation at about 2.17am local time (7.47am AEST).
“It appears the helicopter has landed and rolled over,” he said.
“We're currently trying to track him as he's escaped. But I don't want to get into any more details on him at the moment,” he said.
Air Marshal Binskin said he was not sure of the attacker's motives or the events leading up to the shooting.
The three killed in the so-called “green on blue” incident were all based at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.
They were a 40-year-old lance corporal on his second tour of Afghanistan, posted to the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, and two privates, a 23-year old infantryman from 6th Battalion and a 21-year-old sapper from 2nd Combat Engineers Regiment.
Air Marshal Binskin said the helicopter crash occurred on landing during an “insertion” operation at about 2.17am local time (7.47am AEST).
“It appears the helicopter has landed and rolled over,” he said.
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The three killed in the so-called “green on blue” incident were all based at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.
No doubt, there is a strong possibility that one of them was on board that day.
A distressing outcome, and my thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families.
I thank them for their sacrifice.
RIP.
Last edited by At ease; 31st Aug 2012 at 00:45.
Absolutely tragic.
I cannot imagine what their families are going through, and my heart goes out to them in this dark hour.
I'm so desperately keen not to take anything away from these brave souls, but why, oh why, are we even there? This is not a culture we can change, despite our best intentions and efforts. When we pack up and go, it'll be back to what it was in less than 6 months, mark my words.
What a waste of fine lives.
Please understand, I in no way disrespect the courage and commitment of these guys doing the job, but it's such a useless cause in my opinion.
May you rest in peace.
I cannot imagine what their families are going through, and my heart goes out to them in this dark hour.
I'm so desperately keen not to take anything away from these brave souls, but why, oh why, are we even there? This is not a culture we can change, despite our best intentions and efforts. When we pack up and go, it'll be back to what it was in less than 6 months, mark my words.
What a waste of fine lives.
Please understand, I in no way disrespect the courage and commitment of these guys doing the job, but it's such a useless cause in my opinion.
May you rest in peace.
A terrible day indeed. RIP fellas.
For the sake of accuracy wrt original title there were 11 diggers killed on the first night of Coral-Balmoral on the night 13-14 May 1968.
For the sake of accuracy wrt original title there were 11 diggers killed on the first night of Coral-Balmoral on the night 13-14 May 1968.
