Post by ams888 on Aug 4, 2010 7:32:42 GMT 12
This is from the NZ Herald website
A soldier was killed and two others injured in Afghanistan, the Defence Force announced today.
The dead soldier, who became New Zealand's first combat casualty in Afghanistan, was based in the town of Bamyan, in Bamyan Province.
Another two New Zealand Defence Force personnel and a local interpreter in the patrol were also injured.
The soldier was serving with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in the province.
At a media conference this morning, Lieutenant-General Jerry Mataparae paid tribute to the soldier who had died.
"On behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force we extend our sincere condolences to the family of this brave New Zealander."
Lt-Gen Mataparae told reporters the Defence Force was still gathering facts about what had happened.
He said the injuries sustained by the two injured soldiers were not considered life-threatening.
The soldiers would not yet be publicly identified Lt-Gen Mataparae said.
"We are in the process of informing and supporting the families of the soldiers," he said. "We want to give the family some time to come to terms with events".
He said the Defence Force was trying to get the dead soldier's body back to New Zealand "as expeditiously as possible".
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said the attack showed "the dangers faced by our defence people everyday in Afghanistan".
"The Provincial Reconstruction Team has been been working to assist the people of Bamyan province but it remains a dangerous place especially in the place where this attack occurred on a New Zealand patrol in the north-east."
Mr Mapp said he sent his aroha to the family of the dead soldier and the two wounded.
"This is New Zealand's first combat loss in Afghanistan and reinforces the danger faced daily by our forces as they work tirelessly to restore stability to the province," Prime Minister John Key said in a statement.
"It is with enormous sadness that I acknowledge that this soldier has paid a high price and my thoughts are with his family and the families of the injured."
The New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team's (NZPRT) headquarters in the province is Kiwi Base. To the south is the airfield while the main township and bazaar are located to the north of the base.
The sixteenth rotation of the (NZPRT), commanded by Colonel John Boswell arrived in Afghanistan in April and were expected to remain in the country for about six months.
Prime Minister John Key visited Bamyan earlier this year, and the Government has announced that the NZPRT will extend their secondment until September 2011.
The force works on maintaining security in Bamyan Province, and carries out frequent patrols throughout the area.
It also supports the provincial and local government by providing advice and assistance to the Provincial Governor, the Afghan National Police and district sub-governors.
The NZPRT also identifies, prepares and provides project management for NZAID projects within the region.
It consists of four liaison (LNO) teams supported by infantry, engineers, staff officers, communications and logistic staff.
The first NZPRT deployment to Afghanistan departed in August 2003 on a four month rotation.
New Zealand also has a small number of Special Air Service personnel serving in Afghanistan. In total New Zealand has approximately 140 personnel in Bamiyan and about 80 SAS soldiers in Kabul.
- NZPA
A soldier was killed and two others injured in Afghanistan, the Defence Force announced today.
The dead soldier, who became New Zealand's first combat casualty in Afghanistan, was based in the town of Bamyan, in Bamyan Province.
Another two New Zealand Defence Force personnel and a local interpreter in the patrol were also injured.
The soldier was serving with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in the province.
At a media conference this morning, Lieutenant-General Jerry Mataparae paid tribute to the soldier who had died.
"On behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force we extend our sincere condolences to the family of this brave New Zealander."
Lt-Gen Mataparae told reporters the Defence Force was still gathering facts about what had happened.
He said the injuries sustained by the two injured soldiers were not considered life-threatening.
The soldiers would not yet be publicly identified Lt-Gen Mataparae said.
"We are in the process of informing and supporting the families of the soldiers," he said. "We want to give the family some time to come to terms with events".
He said the Defence Force was trying to get the dead soldier's body back to New Zealand "as expeditiously as possible".
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said the attack showed "the dangers faced by our defence people everyday in Afghanistan".
"The Provincial Reconstruction Team has been been working to assist the people of Bamyan province but it remains a dangerous place especially in the place where this attack occurred on a New Zealand patrol in the north-east."
Mr Mapp said he sent his aroha to the family of the dead soldier and the two wounded.
"This is New Zealand's first combat loss in Afghanistan and reinforces the danger faced daily by our forces as they work tirelessly to restore stability to the province," Prime Minister John Key said in a statement.
"It is with enormous sadness that I acknowledge that this soldier has paid a high price and my thoughts are with his family and the families of the injured."
The New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team's (NZPRT) headquarters in the province is Kiwi Base. To the south is the airfield while the main township and bazaar are located to the north of the base.
The sixteenth rotation of the (NZPRT), commanded by Colonel John Boswell arrived in Afghanistan in April and were expected to remain in the country for about six months.
Prime Minister John Key visited Bamyan earlier this year, and the Government has announced that the NZPRT will extend their secondment until September 2011.
The force works on maintaining security in Bamyan Province, and carries out frequent patrols throughout the area.
It also supports the provincial and local government by providing advice and assistance to the Provincial Governor, the Afghan National Police and district sub-governors.
The NZPRT also identifies, prepares and provides project management for NZAID projects within the region.
It consists of four liaison (LNO) teams supported by infantry, engineers, staff officers, communications and logistic staff.
The first NZPRT deployment to Afghanistan departed in August 2003 on a four month rotation.
New Zealand also has a small number of Special Air Service personnel serving in Afghanistan. In total New Zealand has approximately 140 personnel in Bamiyan and about 80 SAS soldiers in Kabul.
- NZPA
