Soldier’s Death In Afghanistan
- June 8th, 2011
- Posted by EUEditor
An Australian soldier, the fourth in two weeks, has been killed in Afghanistan.
Sapper Rowan Robinson, 23, a combat engineer, was shot during a period of sustained combat with insurgent forces, becoming the 27th Australian to die there since 2001.
His patrol had located a large arms cache in Northern Helmand province, and came under attack as it moved to another site.
He was from a Sydney-based regiment, and was serving with Special Operations Task Group.
Altogether 1500 Australians are committed to the military effort in Afghanistan, serving with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), within a command structure led by the NATO alliance.
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said Australian objectives in the fighting were “crystal clearâ€, and on track: to counter terrorist activity and effect a hand-over to Afghan national forces by 2014.
Reference
Defence Department, Canberra, Special Operations Combat Engineer killed in Afghanistan, 7.6.11. http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2011/jun/0607b.htm, (7.6.11).