Personal details of soldiers killed in Afghanistan

DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE

Personal details of soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Private Tim Aplin, Private Ben Chuck, and Private Scott Palmer died as a result of an incident involving an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) helicopter in Southern Afghanistan early on Monday morning.

The incident involved Australian Commandos and ISAF Personnel based in Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt.

They were part of Special Operations Task Group drawn from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

The families of Private Aplin, Private Chuck and Private Palmer are receiving support from 2nd Commando Regiment and from the Defence Community Organisation.

The families of the soldiers do not wish to conduct any media interviews. The families have requested their privacy be respected during this difficult time.

Planning for the repatriation of the fallen Australian soldiers has begun although the date for their return to Australia has not yet been confirmed.

All seven Commando soldiers wounded in the incident are en-route to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany.

The seven soldiers will receive advanced medical and surgical treatment at the United States hospital before being considered for return to Australia.

There has been no substantial change to the medical assessment of the casualties with four now assessed to be in a satisfactory condition, one listed as in a serious condition and two in a very serious condition.

Six of the seven soldiers underwent surgery yesterday.

The soldiers suffered fractures, lacerations, crush injuries and a head injury.

Media note: Photographs of Private Aplin, Private Chuck and Private Palmer are available at: www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Jun/index.htm

The biographies of Private Alpin, Private Chuck and Private Palmer are attached below.

Private Timothy James Aplin

It is with deep regret the Australian Defence Force announces the death of Private (PTE) Timothy James Aplin during operations in Afghanistan.

PTE Aplin was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash, on Monday 21 June 2010.

38 year old PTE Aplin was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

PTE Aplin enlisted in the Australian Army Reserves on 04 Feb 1992. PTE Aplin transferred to the Regular Army on 20 Sep 1995, reaching the rank of Sergeant. He successfully completed the Commando Selection and Training Course in 2008 and was posted to the then 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) in January 2009 after completing the Commando Reinforcement Cycle. To achieve this goal he willingly took the required reduction in rank from Sergeant to do this.

PTE Aplin was an outstanding and dedicated Commando who was highly respected. This was his second tour to Afghanistan and he was serving with the SOTG as a team demolitions specialist.

PTE Aplin has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with East Timor, Iraq and ICAT clasps, the Infantry Combat Badge, United Nations Medal with Ribbon UNTAET, the IRAQ Campaign Medal, the Australian Defence Medal, the Defence Long Service Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. PTE Aplin has also been awarded the Returned from Active Service Badge from a previous deployment.

During Private Timothy James Aplin's service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following Operations;

a. OPERATION TANAGER (East Timor) in 2000,

b. OPERATION BASTILLE (Middle East) in 2003,

c. OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) in 2009, and

d. OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) again in 2010.

Private Benjamin Adam Chuck

It is with deep regret the Australian Defence Force announces the death of Private (PTE) Benjamin Chuck during operations in Afghanistan.

PTE Chuck was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash, on Monday 21 June 2010.

27 year old PTE Chuck was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

PTE Chuck leaves behind his parents, one brother, one sister, and his partner who are currently receiving support from Defence.

PTE Chuck was born in Atherton, QLD in 1983. He joined the Army on 11th May 2004 as part of the Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme. On completion of his Commando Selection and Training Course and Reinforcement Cycle he was posted to the then 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) - now 2nd Commando Regiment. This was his third tour to Afghanistan and was serving with the SOTG. PTE Chuck was an outstanding Commando who was highly trained and excelled at all he attempted. PTE Chuck was the Patrol Medic within his sniper team. He was suited to this role as his affectionate and caring nature drove his passion for helping his mates.

PTE Chuck has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp ICAT, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO ISAF Medal, the Infantry Combat Badge and the Australian Defence Medal. PTE Chuck has also been awarded the Returned from Active Service Badge from his first deployment to Afghanistan.

During Private Benjamin Adam Chucks service in the Australian Army Ben deployed on the following Operations;

a. OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - May - Aug 2007,

b. OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - Jun - Nov 2008, and

c. OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - Feb - Jun 2010.

Private Scott Travis Palmer

It is with deep regret the Australian Defence Force announces the death of Private (PTE) Scott Travis Palmer during operations in Afghanistan.

PTE Palmer was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash, on Monday 21 June 2010.

27 year old PTE Palmer was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

PTE Palmer leaves behind his loving parents and brother, who are currently receiving support from Defence.

PTE Palmer enlisted in the Australian Army in 2001. PTE Palmer successfully undertook Commando Selection and Training in 2006 and joined the then 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) in Nov 2006. This was his third tour to Afghanistan and was serving with the SOTG. PTE Palmer has seen Operational service in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. His professionalism was of the highest order and he excelled at everything he did. PTE Palmer loved his job and working alongside his mates.

PTE Palmer was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with clasps IRAQ, East Timor and International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT), the IRAQ Campaign Medal, the Australian Defence Medal, the Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor - Leste, the Australian Defence Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the NATO ISAF Medal. PTE Palmer was also awarded the Returned from Active Service Badge from a previous deployment.

During Private Scott Travis Palmers service in the Australian Army, Scott deployed on the following Operations;

a. OPERATION CITADEL (East Timor) - Feb - May 2003

b. OPERATION CATALYST (Middle East)- May - Nov 2005

c. OPERATION ASTUTE (East Timor) - Mar - Jun 2007

d. OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - Nov 2007 - Jun 2008, Mar - Jul 2009 and Feb - Jun 2010.

ENDS

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