New Zealand Soldier Lost In Afghanistan
- August 8th, 2010
- Posted by 7thmin
The body of the New Zealand soldier killed last week in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Timothy O’Donnell, was returned on Sunday (8.8.10), arriving at the Ohakea Air Base in Manawatu.
GUARD OF HONOUR
Some 25 relatives and friends and a military guard were at the airport.
Lieutenant O’Donnell was killed while on patrol last week, and two of his colleagues, Lance Corporal Matthew Ball and Private Allister Baker, were injured.
APOLOGY
An earlier report relayed by EUAustralia said the soldier killed was Private Baker; we must apologise for that error.
The soldiers serving with a civil reconstruction unit came under attack while on a patrol in Bamiyan province, on Wednesday (4.8.10).
New Zealand has had forces in Afghanistan, with the NATO-led ISAF command (International Security Assistance Force), since 2003, including 40-65 commandos from the Special Air Service.
CASUALTIES
Lt. O’Donnell is the first to be killed in Afghanistan but the New Zealanders have had casualties before, and one (Corporal Bill – “Willieâ€- Apiata) won the Victoria Cross there.
Bamiyan province in central Afghanistan is the region where the renowned Bamyan Buddhas, huge statues of standing Buddha figures, were vandalised, with explosives, under the Taliban regime.
Reference
Radio New Zealand News, Wellington, “NZ soldier’s family speak of pride and sadnessâ€, 8.8.10. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2010/08/08/6e8e1186fb24, (8.8.10).
Wikipedia, New Zealand SAS. www.wikipedia.org/ …, (5.8.10).
PictureÂ
NZ troops, Afghanistan patrol army.mil.nz