Bushmaster Immobilised In Southern Iraq Ied Strike

CPA 132/07 Saturday, 12 May 2007

Bushmaster Immobilised In Southern Iraq Ied Strike

An Overwatch Battle Group (West) patrol was engaged by an insurgent-placed improvised explosive device (IED) on the evening of 11 May 2007. The IED immobilised a Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle carrying two OBG(W) members.

No ADF personnel were wounded in the attack.

The OBG(W) personnel were undertaking a patrol near An Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar Province, Southern Iraq, when the single IED detonated.

The immobilised vehicle has now been recovered and appears not to be seriously damaged, although specific details of the damage sustained by the Bushmaster are yet to be confirmed.

ADF Spokesperson, Brigadier Gus Gilmore, said the attack again highlighted the dangers faced by ADF soldiers operating throughout Iraq everyday.

"The integration of sound tactics, world-class vehicles and a comprehensive suite of personal protective equipment has limited the effectiveness of this attack," said Brigadier Gilmore.

"We are ensuring, however, that we remain on guard to the ever-evolving threat and members of the Counter-IED Task Force are already investigating the incident to ensure that the Coalition and the ADF learns as much as possible from the attack," he said.

The two OBG(W) personnel travelling in the Bushmaster will not be named, remain on duty and are unavailable for interview.

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