PTE Benjamin Ranaudo Returns Home

PTE Benjamin Ranaudo Returns Home

Members of the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) have farewelled their mate, Private Benjamin Ranaudo, who was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday the 18th of July.

The 22-year old died early in the morning while on operations north of Tarin Kowt. He was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) several hours after 4 Section, 2 Platoon occupied a security position during a cordon and search in the Baluchi Valley.

The cordon and search was designed to disrupt a known IED facilitation and logistics node which had been responsible for attacks on coalition forces.

In a moving memorial service and ramp ceremony on Monday the 20th of July, members of coalition forces, including the Afghan National Army, lined the road to the runway where the plane was waiting to take Ben home.

Commanding Officer of the MRTF-2, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Connolly said Ben will be sorely missed.

“Many people are hurting right now as we grieve the loss of this exceptional soldier. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this difficult time,” said LTCOL Connolly.

LTCOL Connolly said Ben’s death reminded everyone that Australian soldiers have a difficult job but the cowardly attack, that also wounded civilians, would strengthen the battle group’s resolve.

He praised the soldiers in Ben’s section for their leadership and cool, calm professionalism after the IED blast.

“The thing about the attack is that it was completely indiscriminate. To me that is an act of complete cowardice,” said LTCOL Connolly.

MRTF-2 Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Darren Murch, said Ben was a fine example of a soldier.

“He was a highly skilled infantryman and always put his mates first. He was a pleasure to be around and displayed the true qualities of the Australian soldier,” said WO1 Murch.

Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, Major General Mark Kelly AO, said the memorial service and ramp ceremony was a fitting tribute to Ben, a wonderful young Australian.

“The ceremony marks the first stage of Ben’s journey home to his family in Australia. The thoughts and prayers of all deployed ADF personnel of Joint Task Force 633 in Afghanistan and Middle East go out to Ben’s family and to his mates in his Army family, as we all deal with the loss of this fine young man. We will remember him,” said MAJGEN Kelly.

LTCOL Connolly said we should also keep in our thoughts the MRTF-2 soldier who was severely wounded in the IED blast. LTCOL Connolly said the soldier is in high spirits and is recovering in hospital.

MRTF-2 has been working closely with coalition partners and the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to ensure safety is improved in the lead up to the election, which will be held in August.

CO MRTF-2, LTCOL Peter Connolly, will be available for interview between 430pm- 6pm AEST.

Imagery and video will be available on the Defence website at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/galleries/index.htm

ENDS

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