Australian soldier wounded by an IED

Australian soldier wounded by an improvised explosive device

An Australian soldier from the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) received superficial wounds when a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on 3rd of October.

The incident occurred while conducting partnered operations with the Afghan Provincial Response Company (PRC) in northern Kandahar province as part of the wider Operation HAMKARI, an Afghan Government-led initiative to improve the security in and around Kandahar City.

Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633, Commodore Roger Boyce, said the wounded soldier received first aid immediately after the strike before returning with his force element to a nearby forward operating base.

“A doctor at the base reassessed the soldier and recommended further specialist advice. As a result he was moved to the Role 3 Medical Facility at Kandahar Airfield by helicopter,” Commodore Boyce said.

“Thankfully, this further assessment confirmed no serious wounds, and the soldier was released from the medical facility.”

The wounded soldier is undertaking a short period of recovery before rejoining combat operations.
Due to the location of the IED strike, the damaged vehicle was deemed to be unrecoverable and was destroyed.

During this operation, another IED was located by SOTG elements and was destroyed in place.
The SOTG regularly conducts operations with the PRC, which is part of the Afghan National Security Forces. The local knowledge and community connections of the local Afghan security forces, like the PRC, provide invaluable support to coalition operations, especially Australian Special Forces.

ENDS

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