Soldier Dies As Australians Take On New Role In Afghanistan …
- October 22nd, 2012
- Posted by EUEditor
An Australian soldier with the Special Operations Task Group has been killed in action, 21.10.12, in a border area of Oruzgan province, in Afghanistan.
The soldier, Corporal Scott James Smith, 24, from South Australia, victim of an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), was the thirty-ninth Australia lost in the conflict with Taliban insurgents; his death follows that of five other soldiers during one day in August.
Three days earlier (18.10.12) the Australian force took over command of its operational area in Oruzgan province from the United States, a step in the process of preparing Afghan national forces and handing on to them.
The allied regional commander, Major General Robert Abrams (picture), USA, passed a Team Oruzgan battle flag to the incoming Australian commander for the Oruzgan area, Colonel Simon Stuart.
Australia has 1500 personnel in Afghanistan, as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), headed by the NATO alliance.
See also, EUAustralia Online, “Newest losses in Afghanistan”, 31.8.12.
Reference
Defence Department – Australia, Canberra, “Australian Special Operations soldier killed ….”, 22.10.12. http://www.defence.gov.au/ (22.10.12).
Picture – ADF