Attacks on Secdet
Four incidents in as many weeks

Shattered: Secdet soldiers survey the damage of the 500lbs truck-bomb, that injured two Australian soldiers at the Secdet flats, Baghdad, on January 19.

By Cpl Damian Shovell

ELECTION time in Baghdad placed Secdet 6 in a volatile environment as frequent attacks demonstrated and Baghdad braced for threatened violence during the election period.

At a glance, since setting foot in Iraq in early January, the 6RAR-based Secdet 6 endured a sniper attack, a 500lbs Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack on their compound – known as the fl ats – and in one day, two separate incidents – the shooting of a man who attempted to abandon a vehicle laden with petrol drums next to their compound, and a VBIED attack against an ASLAV-PC on tasking that resulted in eight Australian casualties, three of whom were evacuated from Iraq.

Maj Matt Silver, OC of the 120-strong Secdet 6, said it had been a trying time.

“Obviously all the incidents have shaken everyone up a bit – the reality of being over here, the fact that it’s probably the most dangerous place in the world today,” he said.

“The guys knew the risks when they got over here and they bonded together in the traditional Australian sprit, they’ve maintained a sense of humour and got on with the job.

“I have to say that morale has been excellent.”

He admitted the recent attacks and threatened attacks during the election did increase the anticipation of attack as Secdet 6 adopted a lock-down mode and vehicles were banned on Baghdad’s streets during the election weekend.

“Threats that were made by the insurgents in the AIF leading up to the election date had everyone tense and apprehensive, but we are also confident that we can deal with everything that is thrown at us.”

He said as election day closed there was a sense of relief that extended beyond the Secdet flats.

“I think the reaction of the local people and the joy they showed in their ability to go and vote, the fact that the kids were out on the street playing soccer with their dads and people were waving at the Americans and to us, it gave us a sense of what’s happening over here is the right thing,” Maj Silver said.

“And it gave the soldiers a lot of joy in the fact they were seeing it happen – and that there wasn’t a lot of violence in our area was a relief.”

He said Secdet’s rapport with local residents remained strong, but that it was too early to see the effect or resolve of the people from the election outcome.

“There’s been no change [in relations]. The people in our area have been very supportive of us. The previous fi ve Secdets have certainly done a great job of building up good friendships with the locals in our area,” he said.

As soon as the vehicle curfew lifted, the Secdet was back out on the road conducting its normal role in the ASLAVs, which Maj Silver considers an outstanding vehicle. “

“... and the crews that drive them are just as awesome. In all the incidents that we’ve had, particularly the VBIED attack against the vehicle, the guys’ performance has been outstanding. It’s a testament to their training and their professionalism.”

OC praises well-built defences

OC SECDET 6 Maj Matt Silver credits the inherited defences around the Secdet flats for saving lives and minimising casualties from the 500lbs truck-bomb attack on January 19, and praised the efforts of the five previous Secdet rotations in building the defences.

“The VBIED attack we had on this building, one of the reasons why we didn’t suffer more injuries than we did is the fact the previous five Secdets did a great job getting the defences in place,” he said.

He said the defences took the brunt of the attack, minimising damage to the accommodation building.

The damage has since been repaired with further enhancements to the design.

“We’ve had to upgrade and change some things, and that’s just based on the fact the threat has changed. But what we were given when we got here was a great set-up with a lot of hard work by the soldiers.”