Australian soldier classified as a battle casualty

Australian soldier classified as a battle casualty after 2010 IED strike

An Australian soldier serving in Afghanistan has presented to medical staff to seek treatment for a worsening injury sustained during a road-side bomb blast on 15 December 2010.

No casualties were reported at the time when the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated by a Mentoring Task Force – Two (MTF-2) Protected Mobility Vehicle in the Baluchi Valley.

On 11 April 2011, the soldier presented to Australian medical staff for treatment of an injury he sustained in the December 2010 blast but had not previously reported.

The muscular-skeletal injury had deteriorated over time and after assessment by medical staff, a decision was made to return the soldier to Australia for further treatment and recovery.

As this injury was sustained as a direct result of the IED blast the soldier has been categorised as wounded in action and is now officially recorded as a battle casualty.

This case raises to 65 the number of Australian battle casualties in Afghanistan for 2010. Since Operation SLIPPER commenced, 169 ADF members have been wounded in action in Afghanistan.

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