National
Another digger dies
An Australian soldier (ABC Radio reported he was Tasmanian) has been killed and another seriously wounded by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan, the Defence Force has announced.
Defence named the dead soldier as Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson, 22, of the Darwin-based 1st Combat Engineer Regiment.
The soldiers, who were serving with Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 2, were on a foot patrol with the Afghan National Army in the Tangi Valley in southern Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province.
“Immediately after the blast, Australian soldiers moved quickly to secure the site and help their comrades,” acting head of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley said.
Lt Gen Hurley said the wounded soldier was in a satisfactory condition in the Tarin Kowt hospital. He said both soldiers’ families had been notified.
“I extend our deepest sympathy to Corporal Atkinson’s family, his friends and his comrades – the entire ADF and Defence community is deeply saddened by the death of this fine young Australian soldier,” Lt Gen Hurley said.
“Corporal Atkinson’s mates face some difficult days ahead as they prepare to send him home to his family.
“The Army will take great care of this soldier’s family and support them in difficult times beyond.”
Tasmanian born Corporal Atkinson was on his first deployment to Afghanistan.
He leaves behind a fiance, parents in Tasmania and a brother in Western Australia.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith says the news is a blow to Australia and a tragedy for the soldier’s family.
“We mourn this loss and our condolences, our thoughts and our sympathy go to his family today,” he said.
“He was a fine young soldier cut short at only 22 years of age.”
Twenty-two Australians soldiers have now been killed since Australia sent troops to Afghanistan in 2001.
The latest incident comes after a special forces soldier was seriously wounded in an accidental shooting during an operation in Afghanistan’s northern Kandahar Province last Friday.
Earlier on Tasmanian Times: ‘I’ve got a few holes in me’ (includes links to Andrew Wilkie, Max Atkinson and Scott MacInnes arguments against Australia’s presence in Afghanistan