Three Australian commandos killed
21 June 2010
Three Australians from the Special Operations Task Group have been killed and seven injured when a coalition helicopter crashed in Northern Kandahar.
A NATO soldier also lost his life in the incident which occurred at 3.39am Afghanistan time.
Ten Australian commandos were onboard the helicopter – the remaining seven Australian soldiers are being treated for their wounds with one undergoing surgery and another in intensive care in an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) medical facility.
All will be moved to a US medical facility in Bagram as soon as their conditions are considered stable.
At the time of the incident, coalition helicopters were flying in close proximity and so able to secure the area and render immediate assistance.
"I can tell you that this was not the result of enemy action," said Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.
"These three soldiers were very experienced and had served previously in Afghanistan. Time after time, they have taken the fight to the enemy with courage and determination."
No further details surrounding the incident are available at this time with operations ongoing.
"This is an absolutely devastating day for the families and friends of these brave young men," said Minister for Defence John Faulkner.
"Our thoughts are also with the wounded soldiers and their families at this time of very great anxiety and apprehension. I want those families to know that their loved ones are receiving the best possible medical care.
"I ask all Australians to today take time to think of these soldiers and their families and the families of our Defence Forces who are serving their nation. Three brave young men died today serving our nation. Sixteen Australian soldiers have now been killed in fighting alongside our coalition partners to improve conditions in Afghanistan," Senator Faulkner said.
The soldiers had just last week been involved in a large scale offensive against Taliban insurgents in the district of Shah Wali Kot, part of the ISAF's Hamkari initiative, an ongoing civil-military activity aimed at bringing security, governance and economic opportunity to the people of Kandahar.
The tragedy comes a fortnight after the deaths of Sapper Jacob Moerland, 21, and Sapper Darren Smith, 26, from the Brisbane-based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment who were serving with the 1st Mentoring Task Force and died as a result of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated on June 8.
Statements did not identify the type of helicopter.  This file photo shows an S-70A-9 Black Hawk that Diggers use for tactical transport. 
Less than two weeks after two Australian soldiers () died in the explosion of a roadside bomb, three more Diggers and a US soldier were killed early yesterday morning in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan, while seven other soldiers are being treated for injuries.

 Angus Houston said in a statement this afternoon that two of the crash survivors are in a serious condition and will be moved with the other survivors to the US military hospital in .

The crash occurred at 03:39 yesterday local time (23:09 on Sunday, ) in the north of . Although the cause is still unknown, Houston said "the terrain is rugged, the helicopters are often heavily loaded, it’s at high altitude and it was three o’clock in the morning. All of these factors will no doubt be considered". Houston confirmed that enemy fire was not to blame for the crash.

These new casualties in the Afghan War brings Australia's death toll to sixteen, while that of the US comes to 1128 since the war began in 2001.

Despite this, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, remains firm on the issue: "We work beside our allies ... to avoid Afghanistan once again becoming a breeding ground for terrorists who can then strike at innocent Australians both at home and abroad" and continued by saying that all Australians owe the soldiers a debt of gratitude for making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Although the names of the soldiers have yet to be released, the tragedy follows last week's casualties where Australian combat engineers Darren Smith, age 26, and Jacob Moerland, age 21, were killed along side their bomb sniffer dog, Herbie in a roadside blast.