von Four Australian soldiers have been medically classified as Wounded in Action (WIA).
On 30 June 2011, an MTF Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle struck an insurgent laid IED in the Chorah District. No casualties were initially reported however one soldier from MTF‑3 reported in early August, a wound sustained in the explosion.
Director of Health, Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Group Captain Karen Leshinskas said the soldier had since been returned to Australia, where he is undergoing further treatment.
On 13 August 2011, an IED detonated under a Bushmaster in the Mirabad Valley. Defence reported two MTF‑3 soldiers had been wounded in the blast. In mid August a third soldier has now been identified as wounded in the blast. The soldier sustained a minor wound which requires further treatment.
“He has been transferred to the Role 3 Medical Facility at Kandahar where he will receive specialist treatment,” Group Captain Leshinskas said.
“Because this wound was sustained as a direct result of the improvised explosive device blast, the soldier has been categorised as wounded in action and is now officially recorded as a battle casualty.”
In both cases the soldiers presented for treatment following delayed onset of symptoms.
On August 17, two Australian Special Forces soldiers sustained minor wounds during an operation in the vicinity of Chorah.
They have since received medical treatment and returned to duty.
The soldiers were part of a partnered cordon and search mission, targeting insurgent-laid Improvised Explosive Devices, when they were wounded. Both soldiers continued with their mission and were extracted once the remaining elements of the mission were in place.
23 Australian soldiers have been wounded in action in Afghanistan this year.
A total of 188 Australian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan since 2001.
Press release
Ministerial Support and Public Affairs,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, Australia
