Australian Special Forces ambushed in Afghanistan - 1 x KIA, 4 x WIA

[1feral1]

This in about 15 mins ago...
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http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23608610-2,00.html

Australian killed in Taliban fight
April 28, 2008 07:34am
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ONE Australian soldier has been killed and four others wounded in a Taliban attack in Afghanistan.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said the soldier died in a heavy exchange of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.

Four other soldiers were injured, but it is believed their wounds are not life-threatening.

I am sure there will be more info to follow as it becomes available. Some reports say up to 10 WIA. Time will tell.

Its our turn today.

Hope those WIA's are back on their feet soon enough for some payback! And there will be.

 

[1feral1]

More info....

This off of www.abc.com.au

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Digger killed, four wounded in Afghanistan
Posted 1 hour 3 minutes ago
Updated 10 minutes ago


One dead, four wounded: Australian special forces soldiers in Afghanistan (File photo) (Defence Department)
An Australian special forces commando has been killed and four others have been wounded in a firefight with Taliban militants near the Australian base in the southern Oruzgan Province.

Twenty-seven-year-old Lance Corporal Jason Marks was killed last night (Afghan time) during an attack on a Taliban position kilometres south of the Australian base at Tarin Kowt.

Lance Corporal Marks was a father of two who was born in Broken Hill in the far west of New South Wales and was raised in Yeppoon in Queensland.

Defence Force head Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston said Lance Corporal Marks was part of a Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) platoon which was leading a company-level "deliberate assault" at the time of the firefight.

He said they were attacked while they were out in the open and preparing for their own assault on the Taliban.
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Thanks for your service Jason, you will not be forgotten.

Looks like I'll be having a few rums tonight

 

[Mike Baker]

RIP Cpl Marks


Baker

 

[tomahawk6]

My condolences to the soldiers family and 4RAR.. A speedy recovery to the wounded.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23608611-952,00.html

AN SAS commando from Queensland has been killed in action in Afghanistan, defence force chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston has confirmed.

He was identified as Lance Corporal Jason Marks, 27, from Yeppoon near Rockhampton, married with two small children. He was part of the Sydney-based 4RAR commando unit.

Four Diggers were wounded, Air Chief Marshal Houston told a media conference.

He said the Australian commandos had been involved in a "deliberate assault" on the Taliban, who had engaged them while they were "out in the open" preparing for the attack.

There was a heavy exchange of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, during which one Australian soldier was killed and four wounded. Air Chief Marshal did not comment on any Taliban casualties.

The dead and injured were evacuated by helicopter to a coalition medical facility. Early indications were that their wounds were not life-threatening.

The incident happened around midnight (Queensland time).

Air Chief Marshal Houston said Lance Corporal Marks was born in Broken Hill and raised at Yeppoon. He enlisted in the army in March 1999, and was a Fourth Field Regiment gunner until 2003.

He then transferred to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, before joining the special forces in 2005.

He was deployed to Afghanistan only weeks ago.

It was the fourth Australian death in the Afghanistan war - including the Gold Coast's Trooper David Pearce - and comes amid a resurgence in Taliban activity. There was an assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai at a military parade at the weekend.

Recent incidents involving Australians in Afghanistan:
April 27, 2008: Lance Corporal Jason Marks, 27, from 4RAR commando unit in Sydney killed battle with Taliban fighters in Oruzgan province. Four other commandos wounded

2007

November 23: Private Luke Worsley from 4RAR commando unit in Sydney killed in battle with Taliban fighters in Oruzgan province

October 25: SAS Sergeant Matthew Locke killed by Taliban fighters in Oruzgan province

October 8: Trooper David Pearce killed and another soldier seriously injured in roadside bomb attack in Oruzgan province

September: Three Australians wounded during intense firefight with 50 Taliban forces near Tarin Kowt

September 15: Troops escape injury when roadside bomb explodes alongside Australian vehicle convoy

Early August: Two Australian soldiers injured in Taliban firefight

July: Australian soldiers kill a civilian and injure two young children after vehicle fails to stop at a checkpoint

June 15: Australian survives car bomb attack on a convoy that kills a Dutch soldier and six civilians at Tarin Kowt

May 3: One Australian injured in Taliban suicide bomb attack aimed specifically at Australian forces at a vehicle checkpoint

- with AAP

 

[The Bread Guy]

Condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the fallen, speedy recovery to the injured.... 

SPECIAL OPERATIONS SOLDIER KILLED, FOUR WOUNDED
AUS Defence Force statment, 28 Apr 08

An Australian soldier serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Afghanistan has been killed by Taliban extremists in Oruzgan Province, approximately 25km southeast of Tarin Kowt.  Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said the soldier was killed during a gun-battle in the early hours of this morning (AEST) when Australian soldiers were engaged by Taliban extremists using small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.  “Lance Corporal Jason Marks, who was 27 years of age and from the Sydney-based 4th Battalion (Commando), the Royal Australian Regiment, was killed just after 6pm,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.  Four other soldiers were also seriously wounded during the contact. Their condition is assessed as not life threatening. Due to the nature of wounds, one of more of those hospitalised may need to be evacuated to other facilities for more advanced medical treatment. In accordance with Defence policy, their names will not be released.  The wounded soldiers and the body of Lance Corporal Marks have since been evacuated by helicopter to a medical facility at Tarin Kowt. Repatriation arrangements for Lance Corporal Marks’ body will begin immediately.  "This is a sad day and, on behalf of the entire Defence Organisation, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family, colleagues and friends of Lance Corporal Marks. Our best wishes are also with the wounded soldiers in the hope that they make a speedy recovery.  Defence has notified the immediate families of all soldiers involved and is providing assistance to them during this very difficult time.  “Our soldiers continue to acquit themselves magnificently and the SOTG continues to take the fight to the Taliban. However, due to the nature of special operations, no further details can be released at this time,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

Information on the ADF’s commitment to Afghanistan can be found at: http://www.defence.gov.au/opslipper/default.htm

Media Note: Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston’s media statement will be available from: http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/audio/index.cfm

 

[ark]

RIP soldier and a speedy recovery to the injured.

 

[ENGINEERS WIFE]

RIP Lance Cpl Marks. 
And I hope that your family and your brothers in arms will be able to find peace again after being dealt such a heavy blow.
A speedy recovery to the injured. 
Thank you all for your dedication. 

 

[wildman0101]

rest in peace soldier 
you will not be forgotten..
condolences to the family,,,comrades,, and firends..
                                                scoty b

 

[tomahawk6]

Images of the ramp ceremony for LCpl Marks.

LCpl Marks 

 

[tomahawk6]

 

[1feral1]

Thanks for sharing these images.