More Defence news: 05 January 2009 - 11 January 2009
| Operation ASTUTE soldiers visit Dili National Hospital on Christmas Eve | Change in command for Tiger Battalion | Commendation for Outstanding Achievement | Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan | Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan | |
Operation ASTUTE soldiers visit Dili National Hospital on Christmas Eve 09 January – Australians and New Zealanders serving overseas spread Christmas cheer to those spending Christmas Eve in Dili National Hospital. Australian and New Zealand soldiers serving in Dili, East Timor as part of the International Stabilisation Force visited Dili National Hospital on Christmas Eve. The soldiers arrived in trucks laden with colourful Christmas decorations, to a warm welcome by locals and East Timorese media. Soldiers visited various wards of the hospital handing out toys and candy canes to the children. The delegation was escorted by New Zealand ICU nurse Daniel McKenzie, who has worked at the hospital for the past two years. Soldiers wished all present a merry Christmas in Tetum and Portuguese, the local languages. The New Zealanders gathered at various places throughout the hospital singing Christmas carols accompanied by guitars and a trumpet. |
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Change in command for Tiger Battalion
08 January - The New Year roared-in with a change in command for the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR) – the Tiger Battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Darren Huxley took command of 5RAR and East Timor Battle Group 5 during a small ceremony in Dili, East Timor where the Battalion is serving as part of Operation ASTUTE. The change in command involved the handover of the commanding officer’s sword, a dinner and an extensive tour of the area of operations to meet his soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Huxley came to the Battalion’s command after occupying the position of Deputy Director Regional and Domestic Commitments in Canberra for the past three years. He replaces Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood, who has been 5RAR’s Commanding Officer since December 2006. Lieutenant Colonel Ellwood commanded the Battalion as East Timor Battle Group 5 and in Iraq as Overwatch Battle Group West 3 in 2007/08. About 600 Australian and New Zealand soldiers make up East Timor Battle Group 5. The soldiers come from Darwin-based 1 Brigade, Adelaide-based 16 AD Regiment and New Zealand (Linton)-based 16 Field Regiment. |
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Commendation for Outstanding Achievement
08 January - An International Stabilisation Force (ISF) Commendation for Outstanding Achievement was recently awarded to Gunner William Johnson. The award was presented to Gunner Johnson before the members of Kiwi Company by the Commander of the International Stabilisation Force Brigadier Mark Holmes.
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Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan
07 January - It is with deep regret the Australian Defence Force announces the death of Private (PTE) Gregory Michael Sher during operations in Afghanistan. PTE Sher was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he was killed by a rocket attack in Uruzgan Province, on Sunday 4 January. More: Media release | Vale Page | Images |
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Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan 05 January - An Australian soldier in Afghanistan has been killed in a rocket attack whilst conducting operations in Uruzgan Province. Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Angus Houston, said the soldier was killed early yesterday evening, Australian time. “Taliban insurgents engaged an Afghan forward operating base with rockets. An Australian element was deployed at the base during this attack. “As a result of this indirect fire it is with regret that I inform you that an Australian soldier has been killed. No other Australian soldiers, or other coalition nationals, were wounded in this attack. “The soldier was killed instantly when a rocket exploded in the compound,” ACM Houston said. Defence has notified the immediate family of the soldier involved and is providing assistance to them during this very difficult time. More: Media release |
