Sixth Wounded Soldier Identified After IED Attack

Sixth Wounded Soldier Identified After IED Attack

Following a medical assessment of personnel involved in an improvised explosive device attack on a Bushmaster on the 16th of March, a sixth soldier has been identified as suffering a blast related injury and has begun treatment.

The Commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General John Cantwell said he was continually amazed by the determination of those involved in serious incidents to stay and finish the job.

“In this case, we have a young bloke who has toughed it out for 48 hours because he didn’t want to let his mates down. As soon as he completed the mission and was safely back to Tarin Kowt with his mates he sought help.

“To ensure he gets the appropriate rest and treatment we will move him back to our medical facility in the United Arab Emirates,” Major General Cantwell said.

Major General Cantwell said the fitness of the wounded soldier to return to duty remains under medical assessment.

Four of the six soldiers wounded in the incident will shortly return to Australia to undertake a period of rest and rehabilitation.

Three of the soldiers will return directly to Australia, while a fourth soldier will need to move through the US medical facility in Landstuhl, Germany for further treatment.

Major General John Cantwell said the soldiers were beginning the recovery from their wounds.

“I spoke to them as they arrived at the Coalition medical facility in Kandahar and they are all in great spirits,” Major General Cantwell said.

“It’s just unfortunate that their wounds will take some time to heal so it is appropriate that we get them home to their families and friends during this period.”

One of the six soldiers wounded in the incident will remain in Tarin Kowt and has returned to duty.

“These are remarkable young soldiers who are totally focussed on the job at hand,” Major General Cantwell said.

This additional casualty brings the number of Australians wounded in Afghanistan this year to 14. To date, 114 personnel have been wounded since Operation SLIPPER began.

ENDS

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