RTF soldiers defeat Taliban extremist attack

[Drop Bear]

CPA 244/07      Friday, 10 August 2007

RTF SOLDIERS DEFEAT TALIBAN EXTREMIST ATTACK

Australian soldiers providing security to a Reconstruction Task Force work site in Oruzgan Province defeated a coordinated small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack by extremists on Wednesday 8th August, 2007.

The incident, which occurred over about two hours, involved several distinct engagements within the same general vicinity.

Defence Spokesperson, Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said troops involved in the initial incident quickly responded to the extremist fire with personal and vehicle-mounted weapon systems.

“A nearby ASLAV patrol moved to reinforce the security element and was engaged by a volley of rocket propelled grenades from an adjoining extremist position,” Brigadier Nikolic said.

“ISAF attack helicopters also moved to support the Australian security element providing accurate fire support and increased situational awareness for the troops on the ground.”

Brigadier Nikolic said the extremist attack was unsuccessful with no Australian troops wounded, no RTF vehicles damaged and no disruption to the engineer task.

“The RTF security element successfully defended the engineers, preventing extremists from directly attacking the work site.”

Brigadier Nikolic said the incident again highlighted the good coordination between Australian and ISAF elements, as well as the strong security presence the RTF maintains whilst assisting the local population.

Australian soldiers identified several indicators of potential change to the local security situation about 30 minutes before the fighting commenced.

“The situational awareness of the Australian soldiers — their ability to read the signs in a complex environment — heightened the attentiveness of the patrol and significantly blunted the impact of the extremist attack.”

The Taliban extremist force is known to have suffered causalities during the engagement. The ADF does not routinely release the specific details of casualties suffered by its adversaries.

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Well done Diggers!

[Dan_the_man]

What battalion are the Inf guys over there from?

[Drop Bear]

What battalion are the Inf guys over there from?

If it is any clue, the DOD website says the RTF is "from predominately Queensland-based units."

[Dan_the_man]

Righto so that like halfs it. Only 3 to choose from. Why don't they say who it is? Its not like the teliban are suddenly going to change their tactics because they know its 6 instead of 2

[Jimbo]

RTF is 1 RAR but its changing to 2RAR in about a month

[Drop Bear]

And we also win round two!

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CPA 247/07      Saturday, 11 August 2007


TALIBAN ATTACK SUCCESSFULLY REPELLED BY AUSTRALIAN RECONSTRUCTION TASK FORCE

Australian soldiers in Afghanistan have repelled a further attack by Taliban extremists as reconstruction work continued at a site in Oruzgan Province.

The security element at the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) site was involved in a 90-minute engagement with extremists around midday yesterday (Friday, 10 August).

Defence Spokesman, Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said the Australian security element was attacked when rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) were fired at them in an alley.

“About five soldiers were attacked by Taliban extremists who used small-arms and RPGs fired from multiple positions.  An aggressive and precise response by our soldiers repelled the Taliban attack,” Brigadier Nikolic said.

“A nearby Australian Light Armoured Vehicle patrol was also attacked by RPGs and returned fire with its weapons systems in support of the soldiers. ”

“The fighting was reported as being close and intense and it was the firepower, mobility and protection the soldiers had at their disposal that again proved the difference in this contact.”

The RTF security element was reinforced by ISAF attack helicopters which provided observation support as well as direct engagement of targets.

Brigadier Nikolic said the extremist attack was successfully repelled by the RTF, with no Australian troops wounded, no RTF vehicles damaged and no disruption to the engineer task being undertaken.

The Taliban extremist force is known to have suffered causalities during the engagement. The ADF does not routinely release the specific details of casualties suffered by its adversaries.

A similar attack in the same area occurred on Wednesday (8 August).