Aust. Special Forces Conduct Ops in Afghanistan

Australian Special Forces Conduct Operations in Afghanistan

Australia’s Special Forces Task Group (SFTG) has commenced operations in Afghanistan.

The SFTG has established its operating base after conducting final familiarisation training.

These operations have included combined Afghan National Army (ANA) and SFTG patrols that have provided effective support and protection to remote polling centres and security checkpoints during the Afghan National Elections.

The SFTG is also conducting broader operations to improve security and stability within Afghanistan.

While conducting the most recent of these operations, there was an engagement between a combined Australian and ANA patrol, and Anti-Coalition Militia forces (ACM).

During this action, tragically one Afghan National Army soldier was killed and one Australian soldier was slightly wounded. His wound was minor and he did not require evacuation.

The Australian soldier has subsequently returned to duty.

It remains Australian Defence Force (ADF) policy not to discuss further details of such engagements for operational security reasons.

Afghanistan remains a dangerous place, however the SFTG is highly skilled, well trained and well equipped to deal with such engagements.

File vision of the SFTG will be fed to the networks at Parliament House. Still images will be posted at http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2005/Sep/index.cfm

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