Media Room: Media Releases

Defence
MEDIA RELEASE

An Australian soldier has died whilst serving with the Operation Catalyst Security Detachment (SECDET) in Baghdad, the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, said today.

Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, and Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, joined with General Leahy in expressing their condolences to the soldier’s family, friends and work-mates.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldier’s family and friends at this difficult time. We are working to provide all possible support to them," Lieutenant General Leahy said.

Dr Nelson said this incident is a reminder of the dangerous environment that Australian men and women face in their service to the nation.

Next of kin have been informed and have requested that the soldier’s name not be released at this time.

Full details of the incident are not available, however it is known the soldier received a single gunshot wound on the afternoon of Friday 21 April. The soldier was taken to a United States military hospital where he later died. There were no other personnel injured during the incident. The incident was not related to combat action. A full investigation is underway.

The soldier, from the Sydney-based 3^rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), had been serving in Iraq since March.

The ADF requests that the media respect the family’s need for privacy as they mourn the loss of their loved one.

The SECDET consists of around 110 personnel that provide protection and escort for Australian Defence and Government personnel working in Baghdad.

Operation Catalyst is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq and currently comprises approximately 1400 Australian Defence Force personnel.

Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999
Fax: 02 6265 6946
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