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| Afghanistan |
| Aussie commando killed in raid |
| 2007-11-23 |
| AN Australian commando has been killed mounting a raid on a Taliban bomb making compound in southern Afghanistan. Private Luke Worsley, a 26-year-old soldier from Sydney, was killed during a “protracted engagement” with insurgents at 7.30am (AEDT) this morning in the Oruzgan Province. Defence Force chief Angus Houston said that he was involved in a mission against insurgents involved in the making of improvised explosive devices (IED). “He was one of our finest,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said. “He was shot, but I’m not going to go into any more detail than that.” Air Chief Marshal Houston said that the battle occurred about 10 km from Tarin Kowt. “No other Australian troops were killed or wounded in this protracted engagement, during which our soldiers acquitted themselves magnificently. “This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force and most especially for Private Worsley’s family and friends. “I extend my deepest sympathies to them on behalf of all members of the Defence Organisation.” Air Chief Marshal Houston said this morning's mission had been successful. "This mission specifically targeted bomb makers that improvise explosive devices or IEDs,'' he said. "IED's are weapons that don't discriminate and they are as much a danger to innocent Afghan civilians as they are to military forces. "We will continue to go after the bomb makers.'' He said the Taliban sustained heavy casualties during the engagement, including a number killed and a substantial number detained. "If further progress is to be made against the Taliban these types of operations remain essential,'' he said. "Despite the tragic death of Private Worsley the job of helping the people of Afghanistan continues.'' Pte Worsley was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, having also served in East Timor in 2003. "The action in which Private Worsley died only concluded in the last few hours and was characterised by heavy, close-quarter fighting,'' Air Chief Marshal Houston said. "The SOTG (Special Operations Task Group) was conducting an operation to clear an identified Taliban bomb-making facility in Oruzgan province when the soldier was hit by small arms fire.'' This followed several weeks of monitoring and intelligence gathering by Australian and International Security Assistance Force elements. He said Pte Worsley was a greatly respected soldier. "I am told his dedication and enthusiasm for soldiering was an inspiration to all those around him.'' The bulk of Australia's troops are based in the volatile southern province of Oruzgan, where fighting with the Taliban has escalated in recent months. Trooper David Pearce died in an October 8 roadside bomb blast and decorated Special Air Service sergeant Matthew Locke was killed in action by a Taliban sniper on October 25. Sergeant Michael Lyddiard, of Townsville-based 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, was injured on November 4 when a roadside bomb that he was trying to defuse exploded. He was the 28th Digger to be wounded in Afghanistan. The first Australian fatality in Afghanistan was SAS soldier Andrew Russell, killed in 2002 when the vehicle in which he was travelling hit a land mine. John Howard and Kevin Rudd were being briefed this afternoon are expected to comment later. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |
| #2 the light of the world has dimmed with the loss. Thank you brave aussie. may your soul rest and your family have peace. |
| Posted by: Abu do you love 2007-11-23 14:10 |
| #1 Funny thing about dealing with tribal societies - they actually respect you more after you've killed some of them, they've killed some of you. You earn respect. That's one of the reasons the Sunnis turned in Iraq. |
| Posted by: gromky 2007-11-23 04:24 |