Australia suffers the 40th Soldier Death in Afghanistan

[PulseEffect]

The Australian special forces soldier killed in Afghanistan on Saturday has been named as Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird.

The decorated commando became the 40th Australian soldier killed in the Afghanistan war when he was struck by small arms fire during a firefight with Taliban insurgents.

The Defence Department said Corporal Baird, 32, was survived by his parents, brother and his partner.
Chief of the Defence Force David Hurley announced over the weekend that Corporal Baird had been killed during a Special Operations Task Group operation to disrupt an insurgent network in the Khod Valley in southern Afghanistan.

Corporal Baird, from the 2nd Commando Regiment, was on his fifth tour of Afghanistan, having previously served in Iraq and East Timor. He had been awarded the Medal for Gallantry for bravery in combat in Afghanistan in November 2007.

''Corporal Baird was an outstanding special forces soldier,'' the statement said. ''He exemplified what it meant to be a commando, living by the attributes of uncompromising spirit and honour, which in turn earned him the unconditional respect of his fellow commandos.

''His leadership in action was exemplary, constantly inspiring those around him to achieve greater things. Corporal Baird was an extremely dedicated and disciplined soldier, always striving for excellence in everything he did.

''Corporal Baird died how he lived - at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with.''

Corporal Baird's citation for the Medal of Gallantry says he showed ''conspicuous gallantry, composure and superior leadership under fire'' during an operation to clear and search a Taliban stronghold.
Under heavy fire, he displayed ''complete disregard for his own safety'' in leading members of his team forward to move a wounded comrade to safety.

The Defence Force's first death in eight months was labelled by Defence Minister Stephen Smith as a ''gut-wrenching blow'' and a sad reminder of the risks troops face as they prepare to withdraw from the war-torn nation.

Quoted from SMH

Rest in Peace.

[Mikal]

R.I.P, didn't know Australia was in Afghanistan.

[PulseEffect]

R.I.P, didn't know Australia was in Afghanistan.

Australia has pulled out a majority of it's forces and now only Special Forces are the only military force from Australia left in Afghanistan. 

[[WS]Jacob]

*salute*

[Mikal]

Australia has pulled out a majority of it's forces and now only Special Forces are the only military force from Australia left in Afghanistan.

I see, just never hear about them because BBC News is too busy showing parliament talking about gay marriage, oh man, if only the commonwealth nations were closer than they currently are, the world would be a better place, fuck the EU.

[KelviNC]

R.I.P, didn't know Australia was in Afghanistan.

No - Australia was never in Afghanistan.

[Mikal]

No - Australia was never in Afghanistan.

You stupid or something? The topic says - AUSTRALIAN SOLDER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN, so Australia is fighting in Afghanistan. :poke:

[KelviNC]

 :wow:

[SkyHawk]

Rest in Peace to all the brave men and women that have fought both in Iraq and Afghanistan. May their ultimate sacrifice never rest in vain but valor.

[PulseEffect]

No - Australia was never in Afghanistan.

-.-

[Aksel]

Salute to this young man, brainwashed, and now killed by America. May he rest in peace, as the other victims of western imperialism.

Afghanistan is a great country now, isn't it? The western warfare has really helped in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Right?

[Mikal]

Salute to this young man, brainwashed, and now killed by America. May he rest in peace, as the other victims of western imperialism.

Afghanistan is a great country now, isn't it? The western warfare has really helped in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Right?

Damn right!

I'm also fed up of the US dragging everyone into wars for their own personal greed, about time that changed, it's time for other Westerm countries to tell the US Gov to f**k off and fight it's own greed related battles, they say they fight for peace, but they wouldn't be there if there wasn't something in it for them.

[Alsatian]

We all know why the US is in the middle-east, and that puppet governments soon follow their invasions. But hey, the unfortunate truth is that money is what makes the world go round. Wherever there's money, there will be some form of justification for military involvement.

[taseen11]

Sad to hear.

[Mikal]

We all know why the US is in the middle-east, and that puppet governments soon follow their invasions. But hey, the unfortunate truth is that money is what makes the world go round. Wherever there's money, there will be some form of justification for military involvement.

Which is why I'de love for the UK to break all military ties with the US, along with other countries such as Australia, nobody needs the shit that they constantly drag us into, where were they when Argentina invaded the Falklands? Where were they when the UK asked for support over the recent Falklands referendum, they were sat in the white house talking about how they arn't going to choose sides, yet if it were the US who owned the Falklands, it'd be pretty obvious that we'd side with them, no matter what relationship we have with Argentina, thats the problem with the US Gov, they expect every country to give to them, but all they give in return is problems.