Sorrow and loss
Volume 11, No. 41, April 20, 2006

Devoted soldier: Pte Kovco proudly wears his cherry beret

Respect and grief: Pte Jake Kovco’s Secdet 9 mates carry his casket to a Hercules in Baghdad for the first leg of his sad homecoming (above). Photo by Flt-Lt Fiona Harris.

FAMILY, friends, 3RAR members, CDF ACM Angus Huston, CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy and Defence Minister Brendan Nelson attended a moving and dignified service at Sydney Airport to mark the return of Pte Jacob “Jake” Kovco’s body early on April 29.

Pte Kovco passed away in a US military hospital in Iraq on April 21 as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head from his 9mm pistol.

The shooting occurred in his room in Secdet 9’s accommodation at the Australian Embassy in the International Zone. There is no evidence to suggest it was anything other than a tragic accident.

Pte Kovco died draped in an Australian flag, with a 3RAR beret on his chest and surrounded by his mates as they recited the Lord’s Prayer. He is the ADF’s first fatality on operations in Iraq.

Pte Kovco, who grew up in Victoria, joined the Army in March 2002. After his recruit course he was selected to serve in the infantry. He was posted to the School of Inf in May 2002 then he was selected to serve in 3RAR.

At 3RAR he served in a variety of positions as a rifleman, heavy weapons operator and was a member of the sniper section. He was a highly qualified soldier who had completed a number of specialist courses in his four years of service.

In March he deployed to Iraq as a member of Secdet 9. During his time in Baghdad he displayed devotion to duty and a high level of professionalism.

He was a valued member of his team and is sorely missed by his mates, not only for his skills and professionalism, but as a comrade in arms and a mate.

3RAR CO Lt-Col Mick Mumford said the death was very difficult for the members of the unit.

“The death of Pte Kovco has hit the battalion hard, especially following the death of Pte Clark in the Solomon Islands last year and a non-military related death in the battalion only a month ago,” Lt-Col Mumford said.

Pte Kovco was married to Shelley and was a proud father of two young children, Tyrie and Alana.

Investigations are under way into his death and into the circumstances that led to a delay in his repatriation after the wrong casket was placed aboard a commercial flight from the Middle East to Australia.