Soldier recovering from rocket attack
Volume 11, No. 50, August 24, 2006

TOWNSVILLE-based soldier Cpl Sarah Webster is in a stable condition in hospital in Germany after a rocket attack that injured four Secdet soldiers in Baghdad on August 14.

Cpl Webster suffered concussion, bruising and minor lacerations when a rocket exploded close to a building housing Australian personnel in the international zone. Force protection measures employed by the ADF prevented the attack from having more serious effects.

Cpl Webster was treated at a hospital in Baghdad before being transferred to a hospital at a US base in Germany, where her mother and fiancé are joining her to aid her recovery.

Three of her colleagues received minor injuries in the random attack involving three rockets, two of which fell harmlessly in a river. JTF 633 Commander Brigadier Mick Moon said the three returned to work soon after the attack.

He said morale remained high within the Secdet and he praised his troops for their rapid and professional response to the incident. Personnel evacuated the casualties within minutes, ensuring they received expert medical attention immediately.

“I have to say, they’re a very tough, professional, resolute band of young men and women,” Brig Moon said.

He has conducted a review of Secdet’s force protection measures and is satisfied they provide the best possible protection for Australian troops.

CDF ACM Angus Houston said he did not think the incident indicated that threats were increasing against Australian soldiers in Baghdad.

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