Secdet’s joy and sorrow
Volume 11, No. 52, September 21, 2006
By Maj Dave Munro and
Lt Cameron Jamieson

Friends: Secdet 9 members bow their heads at the dedication of a plaque in memory of Pte Jake Kovco (left). Photo by Cpl Jim Culloden

Well, baby, it’s great to see you Proud dads: Four little bundles of joy were waiting at Sydney Airport for these members of Secdet 9 when they returned home from Iraq on September 14. From left are OC Secdet 9 Maj Kyle Tyrrell with one-week-old Darcey, Cpl Michael Smith with three-week-old James, Sgt Grant Johnson with 11-week-old Isabelle and LCpl Craig Turnbull with four-week-old Zachery. The joy of the 110 members of the detachment at their return home was tempered by the fact that their mate Pte Jake Kovco – whose death is currently the subject of a Board of Inquiry – was not with them. Pte Kovco’s widow, Shelley, was among those who greeted the soldiers who served with her husband. Photo by Phil Barling

SECDET 9 has returned to Australia, ending an arduous six-month deployment in Baghdad.

During their deployment they conducted a number of tasks which took them outside the International Zone and, on occasion, into other locations within Iraq. The detachment provided protection for the Australian Embassy staff, in particular the Ambassador. They also upgraded the defences and facilities surrounding the Australian Embassy in Baghdad.

Secdet 9 suffered five casualties during their operations, including the wounding of Cpl Sarah Webster and three others by an exploding 122mm rocket, and the death of Pte Jake Kovco.

Pte Kovco’s widow Shelley was on hand to greet the returning soldiers at Sydney Airport on September 14.

OC Secdet 9 Maj Kyle Tyrrell said he was extremely proud of the cohesiveness of his team in Baghdad.

“This was demonstrated in mid-August when four members were wounded in a rocket attack,” he said.

“Within 12 minutes of the attack, Secdet had conducted first aid and coordinated the evacuation of the wounded soldiers to a nearby coalition medical facility.”

Before leaving Baghdad, Secdet 9 held a service of thanksgiving to commemorate their deployment in Iraq.

The service was conducted by Padre Maj Robert McKennay, who said that “for many it will be a sad time to leave comrades in arms, but outweighing this will be the joy of returning to Australia, family and friends”.

During the service Padre McKennay dedicated a plaque in memory of Pte Kovco. “We honour his memory and as part of our remembrance we dedicate this memorial plaque to him,” he said.

Cpl Webster has returned to Australia following treatment at the US military hospital in Landstul, Germany, and will receive ongoing treatment at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.

Maj Tyrrell, who was one of five Secdet 9 members to be introduced to new babies that were born during their deployment, said he was proud to have led such a team on operations.

“The highlight for me as the OC has been the honour to work with these soldiers,” he said.

“They are consummate professionals and they have endured some tough situations but remained focused, cohesive and resilient.”