Tanker Brothers - Two Soldiers In The War On Terror

DIGGERS DEFEAT TALIBAN ATTACK IN HEAVY FIGHTING

In their heaviest fighting to date, Australian soldiers with the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan have successfully repelled a prolonged attack by approximately 50 Taliban extremists.

RTF Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Jarvie, praised the skill and determination of his soldiers.

“Over the last few months Australian soldiers have been regularly tested by Taliban extremists. In every case they have performed magnificently.”

The failed attack was one of a number of decisive defeats suffered by the Taliban in Oruzgan Province and the neighbouring Helmand Province during the past week. The attack came as the RTF was conducting a reconnaissance mission for the construction of Afghan National Police outposts about eight kilometres north of Tarin Kowt.

Taliban extremists fired automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) at the Australian patrol from the cover of an orchard. The patrol immediately returned fire and then engaged in an intense confrontation with the Taliban during the next four hours.

Infantry Platoon Commander Lieutenant Glenn Neilson said the Taliban had established strong firing positions and were reinforced with more fighters as the attack progressed.

“We were engaged with some very accurate fire from a range of about 300m and there were a lot of bullets coming our way. Making use of all the weapons at our disposal, including the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) and Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV), we held our ground.”

The soldiers were also able to employ Dutch F16 fighter aircraft and Apache helicopters. Afghan National Army troops that were trained by Australian Forces in Oruzgan participated in the patrol and performed admirably.

“Together we neutralised the positions that were causing us trouble,” Lieutenant Neilson said.

Another Australian platoon supported the movement of RTF troops by providing essential covering fire as soldiers moved across hazardous open ground.

The Taliban are known to have suffered heavy casualties during the incident, but the ADF will not discuss specific details.

There were no civilian casualties resulting from this incident. No Australian soldiers were wounded, nor was there any damage to Australian vehicles.

Two things struck me about this story....

The first of course, was seeing the Aussies and Americans working together. I always love to see that bond forged in the battles of WW2 (those would be the ones where you guys saved our butts) still going strong today.

The second was the amazing calm of the Soldiers. As I sat watching the footage I couldn't believe how collected these Soldiers were as they were being shot at and returning fire. It reinforced to me just how well trained and proffessional all of our Soldiers are.

This news comes only days after another attack on the Diggers in this area left 3 wounded and an EDD (explosive Detection Dog) dead.

THREE Australian soldiers have been injured and an explosive detection dog killed in two roadside bomb attacks in Afghanistan.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) today said a Special Operations Task Group vehicle was hit by an explosive during a patrol in Oruzgan Province last week, slightly wounding two soldiers.

The wounded soldiers were provided with first-aid by their fellow soldiers and evacuated to a nearby hospital for further treatment, ADF spokesman Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said.

One of the soldiers received specialist medical care but due to the nature of his injuries is to return to Australia for further treatment, Brigadier Nikolic said.

The remaining soldier is expected to make a complete recovery and will remain on duty in Afghanistan.

All of us here at Tanker Brothers know that the war in Afghanistan has consistently been overshadowed by that in Iraq. We also know that the reason for this is because the loons and Mungbeans do such a wonderful job of negating any efforts in Iraq and not because Afghanistan is any less important. Let us not forget the danger these brave men and women face each day.

AC