Image Gallery: April 2006
Details of Australian Soldier Killed in Iraq
23 April 2006
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Details of Australian Soldier Killed in Iraq.
Private Jacob (Jake) Bruce Kovco was born in Melbourne
and grew up in Victoria. He realised his life-long
ambition when he enlisted in the Australian Regular
Army on 26 March 2002.
After successfully completing the recruit training
course he was selected for Infantry Corps and
was posted to the School of Infantry, Singleton
in May 2002.
Jake completed infantry basic training and was
selected for service in the 3rd Battalion, the
Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), Australia's
only parachute infantry battalion.
At 3RAR he served in a range of positions as a
rifleman, heavy weapons operator and was a member
of the highly trained sniper section.
He was a highly qualified soldier who had completed
a number of specialist courses in his four years
of service. In October 2005 he was selected to
deploy to Iraq as a member of the Security Detachment
(SECDET) in Baghdad.
Only ten percent of the unit was selected for
this mission which was eagerly sought after by
all soldiers in the Battalion.
During his time in Baghdad he demonstrated a high
level of devotion to duty and professionalism.
He was a valued member of his team and is sorely
missed, not only for his skills and professionalism,
but also as a mate and comrade in arms.
Private Kovco died in hospital surrounded by his
mates, draped in an Australian flag with a paratrooper's
beret on his chest as his mates said the Lord's
Prayer.
He was married to Shelley and was a proud father
of two young children, Tyrie and Alana.
Shelley has requested the media respect her family's
privacy at this time.
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