Diggers wounded in Afghan bomb blast
Two Australian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan after the vehicle they were travelling in was struck by an improvised explosive device.
The Defence Force says the incident occurred yesterday in Uruzgan province during a troop transfer between locations.
The soldiers suffered minor wounds in the blast.
They were evacuated by helicopter to a medical facility at Tarin Kot where they are in a satisfactory condition.
The acting deputy commander of joint operations, Commodore Michael Noonan, says the response to the detonation by the soldiers in the convoy highlights the effectiveness of their preparation for the deployment.
"As soon as the device detonated, the area was secured and first aid commenced on the two wounded," Commodore Noonan said in a statement.
"A medical evacuation was quickly organised and the two men are now resting comfortably in a satisfactory condition in Tarin Kot."
One of the wounded soldiers was from Mentoring Task Force 3 and the other was from Mentoring Task Force 4.
Defence says it is providing support to the families of the wounded soldiers.
To date, 218 Defence members have been wounded in Afghanistan since 2001.
Earlier this month Defence said there was an increase in the number of Australian soldiers wounded in Afghanistan in 2011 compared to previous years.
Injuries ranged from the minor, through to amputations and head injuries.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-14/australian-soldiers-wounded-in-afghanistan/3772826/?site=sydney
The Defence Force says the incident occurred yesterday in Uruzgan province during a troop transfer between locations.
The soldiers suffered minor wounds in the blast.
They were evacuated by helicopter to a medical facility at Tarin Kot where they are in a satisfactory condition.
The acting deputy commander of joint operations, Commodore Michael Noonan, says the response to the detonation by the soldiers in the convoy highlights the effectiveness of their preparation for the deployment.
"As soon as the device detonated, the area was secured and first aid commenced on the two wounded," Commodore Noonan said in a statement.
"A medical evacuation was quickly organised and the two men are now resting comfortably in a satisfactory condition in Tarin Kot."
One of the wounded soldiers was from Mentoring Task Force 3 and the other was from Mentoring Task Force 4.
Defence says it is providing support to the families of the wounded soldiers.
To date, 218 Defence members have been wounded in Afghanistan since 2001.
Earlier this month Defence said there was an increase in the number of Australian soldiers wounded in Afghanistan in 2011 compared to previous years.
Injuries ranged from the minor, through to amputations and head injuries.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-14/australian-soldiers-wounded-in-afghanistan/3772826/?site=sydney
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