Solider Served With Pride And Distinction

Department of Defence Media Mail List
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CPA 341/06 Sunday, 3 December 2006

Personal Details Of SASR Soldier Killed In Black Hawk Crash Near Fiji

The Australian Defence Force, following agreement with the family, today released further details of the Special Air Service Regiment solider who is now missing presumed dead as a result of a helicopter accident on HMAS Kanimbla last week.

Trooper Joshua Porter, 28, was posted to Perth to the Special Air Service Regiment in May 2005.

The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, said Trooper Porter served his country and the Australian Army with great pride and distinction.

“All Australians should feel very proud of his courage and compassion. He was a committed soldier and our sympathies go to all of Trooper Porter’s family, in particular his wife,” he said.

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, also extended his condolences to the family and friends of Trooper Porter.

“He was an extremely capable and highly regarded member of the Special Force’s community.

“Trooper Porter will be remembered as a resourceful and courageous Special Forces soldier who had a promising future in what is an extremely challenging profession.

“He will be sadly missed by his brothers-in-arms in the Special Air Service, the Australian Army and the broader Australian Defence Force,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

Trooper Porter was born in Sydney New South Wales, the second of five children, and enlisted in the Australian Army in June 2000.

On completion of Recruit Training, he served for several years as a Rifleman in The First Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) in Townsville. He completed his service as a qualified sniper in reconnaissance platoon.

He successfully completed the Special Air Service Regiment’s Selection Course in October 2004 and was posted to Perth as a Trooper in May 2005.

Trooper Porter served on operations in East Timor on Operation Tanager in 2001 and Operation Citadel in 2003, whilst serving with 1 RAR. He also served in the Solomon Islands on Operation Anode in 2004/05 again with 1 RAR, and more recently in Afghanistan with Operation Slipper as part of the Special Operations Task Group in 2006.

He was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the, Australian Service Medal, United Nations Medal for service East Timor, the and the Australian Defence Medal.

Trooper Porter is survived by his wife Carinna.

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