Rip Today For The Loss Of Another Service Dog Kia In Afghanistan

[nickojoy]

In Afghanistan over night we lost 2 soldiers and a dog. Nothing yet been seen on the news, but it will be up shortly.

The families have been informed.

My deepest sympathy to the families and members of the unit.

RIP

Edited June 8, 2010 by nickojoy

[nickojoy]

Here is the link

[nickojoy]

Can't wait for Rudd to get out of the big seat!

Queensland's Premier Anna Bligh has confirmed two Australian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan.

NATO has confirmed 10 of its soldiers - seven of them American - were killed in a string of attacks in Afghanistan overnight, the deadliest day for the alliance this year and one of the worst of the conflict.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd earlier declined to confirm whether two Australian soldiers were among the dead, but that was subsequently confirmed by Ms Bligh.

The Federal Government will hold a press conference at 10:30am AEST to give more details of what it calls the "operational incident".

The ABC understands that the incident involved members of the Mentoring Task Force, which works with Afghan troops, and that next of kin in Australia have already been informed.

Ms Bligh told Parliament it is believed one of the dead soldiers is from Queensland.

"I think on all sides here today our hearts go out to the families of these two soldiers who have died in the war on terror and the fight for peace," she said.

"These two soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice and it's a very sad day for their families."

This morning Mr Rudd declined to comment ahead of the press conference.

"For all reports coming out of Afghanistan there are very important and sensitive protocols to adhere to," he said.

"That would apply today, as any day."

Defence Minister John Faulkner is in Pakistan for talks and this morning's announcement will be made by Defence Science Minister Greg Combet.

The press conference will be streamed live at ABC News Online.

[Monah]

Terribly sad, awful news :D ;)

[nickojoy]

updated story

TWO Australian soldiers have been killed in southern Afghanistan as Taliban insurgents launched a fresh wave of attacks.

The Diggers belonged to the Mentoring Task Force and are the first Australians to die in 11 months, bringing the total number of campaign deaths to 13.

In total 10 NATO soldiers were killed today.

It is the first time since the Vietnam war that two Australian soldiers had died in combat on the same day.

Chief of the Defence Force General David Hurley said the two Australian soldiers were serving in the Brisbane-based 2nd combat engineer regiment and part of an Australian forces dismounted patrol operating in the Eastern Province.

One soldier was killed at the time of the explosion, while one was medically injured in the explosion but was taken to a nearby hospital. An explosive detection dog also died in the incident.

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The investigation will be initiated to determine the exact details of the incident, Chief Hurley said. It was the soldiers' first tour of Afghanistan.

No names were released at today's press conference out of respect for the relatives.

"I speak for the entire ADF (Australian Defence Force) and defence community when I tell you I am deeply saddened by the loss of these two brave Australian soldiers," Lt Gen Hurley said.

Defence force chief Angus Houston said it was too early for words to provide comfort to the families of the men, but he wanted them to know both were outstanding Australians.

"Quietly serving our nation and demonstrating every day the very best of what Aussies pride themselves on displaying to the world - courage, determination, mateship and selfless service."

The deaths were a reminder of the constant dangers faced by Australian troops in Afghanistan, Defence Minister John Faulkner said in a statement, which was read out by Defence Personnel Minister Greg Combet.

"While all Australians will mourn along with those two families, the immensity of their grief cannot be shared," Senator Faulkner said.

"The manner of their deaths from an insidious and indiscriminate improvised explosive device again shows the callous and truly despicable nature of our enemy."

We are deeply saddened - Gillard

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the nation is saddened by the deaths.

The diggers of the 1st Mentoring Task Force are the first Australians to die in 11 months, bringing the total number of campaign deaths to 13.

Ms Gillard told ABC Radio in Perth, that Australians would be upset by the deaths.

"I think the nation's going to be saddened, I'm obviously saddened by this news and there are going to be some grieving families in our nation today and our heart very much goes out to them."

Deadly day in Afghanistan

The bloodshed came as Taliban insurgents ramp up bombings and attacks on NATO forces ahead of a major operation in the southern Taliban stronghold of Kandahar that Washington hopes will turn the tide of the war.

In the worst incident, five American service members were killed in a roadside bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan, the US command said.

Two more US soldiers were killed in separate attacks in the south - one a bombing and the other by small arms fire.

A sergeant in the French Foreign Legion was killed by a rocket in Kapisa province northeast of Kabul. Three other Legionnaires were wounded.

In addition, an American contractor died in a suicide attack against the police training centre in Kandahar city, the US embassy in Kabul said.

The American contractor, who was not identified, and another person were killed when a team of three suicide bombers attacked the gates of the police training centre.

Afghan officials said one bomber blew a hole in the outer wall, enabling the other two to rush inside. But they were killed in the gunbattle that followed.

According to the icasualties.org website, which keeps track of US and NATO troop deaths in Afghanistan, 245 international coalition troops have been killed in the country this year, 153 of them American. Last year, 520 international troops were killed in Afghanistan; 316 were Americans.

[grace]

That is very sad news.

[kimzy]

:D

[DaisyDog]

This unit has a young Darwin boy in it, these men are his close friends. RIP to the brave men and dog.

[Clastic]

So sad...

[k9angel]

R.I.P. to these brave men & Herbie, the detection dog.

[Kiramon78]

RIP Herbie & Smithy - you both will be greatly missed. You made an awesome team.

Lest We Forget.

[gsdog2]

Just so sad

[♥dragonfly♥]

RIP to these brave soldiers & Herbie the detection dog

[m-j]

What a tragedy RIP. Lest We Forget

[dogbesotted]

what sad news!

may they rest in peace.

May their families find strength to get through these hard times

RIP Herbie as well.... well done! Good Dog.

[PebsnMe]

Lest We Forget.

[Mila's Mum]

I was visiting the Peninsula Animal Aid Shelter on Brisbane's northside this morning and found out that Herbie had been adopted from there 2 years ago by the Army - he excelled in his training, and excelled in his job.

Here is a picture of Herbie with his handler

I did some googling and found out that Herbie had also come home

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/auss...9-1225879935166

If anyone would like to make a donation to the PAA in memory of Herbie, I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.peninsulaanimalaid.com.au/donate.html

Edited June 25, 2010 by Mila's Mum

[mita]

That's right. Herbie was rescued from Redcliffe Pound by Peninsula Animal Aid.

That's a lovely idea to give a donation to PAA in memory of Herbie.

By the way, if you live in South Australia, there'll be a Memorial Service for Herbie, tomorrow, at the Australian War Dogs Memorial which is located there.

All people attending are invited to bring their dogs.

The notice with time & place was in the thread on General.....

Edited June 25, 2010 by mita

[mita]

Herbie's replacement is written up in the latest North-West News, Brisbane.

Sniffing out danger

After intensive training, one of Gallipoli Barracks' (Enoggera, Brisbane) newest recruits is on the front line.

Trent, a kelpie-cross cattle dog, and Sapper Shaun Ward, have joined other engineers from Brisbane's 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment to help detect

IEDs and weapon caches in one of the most dangerous jobs in Afghanistan.

...

The sniffer dog has been trained to detect 50 different types of explosives and will be a valuable asset to Australian forces in Afghanistan.

The pair travelled to Uruzgan province to replace Sapper Darren Smith and Herbie, who were killed in an IED strike in June.

But Trent is more that man's best friend - they share meals, workload and space in his swag. Man and dog will spend every waking and sleeping minute together over the next few months as they scour Uruzgan for deadly weapons.

Stay safe, Shaun & Trent.

Edited September 21, 2010 by mita

[*Bones*]

Rest in peace. So sad.