Post your Aussie SASR, 4RAR, 2CDO, 1CDO, SOTG ... pics in here . [Archive] - Page 3

Strykes

06-29-2010, 09:59 PM

SOTG Medical Personnel Contribute to Operation Voodoo
As part of Operation Voodoo, the Australian Special Operations Task Group contributes a number doctors, nurses and medics to a U.S. Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME) team based in Tarin Kowt, southern Afghanistan.
Operation Voodoo is the AME component of the U.S. Task Force rotary wing detachment, part of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, based in Tarin Kowt. The Operation conducts AMEs in and around Oruzgan province in Southern Afghanistan.
The combined American and Australian AME team regularly conduct missions to evacuate wounded and injured Coalition soldiers and Afghan local nationals to ISAF medical facilities in Tarin Kowt and Kandahar Airfield.
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100629a/index.htm

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=127775

A US Medevac helicopter taking off at Tarin Kowt with an escort Blackhawk soon to follow for a casualty evacuation mission.
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100629a/20100609adf8266070_0407.jpg

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=127779

A US Medevac helicopter landing at Tarin Kowt.
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100629a/20100609adf8266070_0434.jpg

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=127776

The crew from a US Medevac hellicopter conducts post flight checks after a Medevac mission.
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100629a/20100609adf8266070_0475.jpg

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=127774

A US Medevac escort helicopter door gunner scans the landscape during an aeromedical evacuation mission.
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100629a/20100610adf8266070_0356.jpg

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=127778

The view from the side door of the escort Blackhawk hellicopter, during a mission to evacuate an injured Afghan child.
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100629a/20100610adf8266070_0511.jpg

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=127777

US Medevac hellicopter lands at Tarin Kowt as an ambulance waits ready to take the incoming patient to a Medical Facility.
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100629a/20100610adf8266070_0668.jpg

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=127780

Sergeant J with and a US medic, carry an Afghan child to an ambulance after an aeromedical evacuation mission.
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100629a/20100610adf8266070_0696.jpg

Good on 'em, yet again.

HAHA ... you make it become " Someone " game ... hahaha

No i don't . So it means i can't discuess in here and listen you guys comment ?

No, it means you should not post stupid **** that contradicts all available evidence.

Strykes.

peace_benny5405

06-30-2010, 02:55 AM

No, it means you should not post stupid **** that contradicts all available evidence.

Strykes.

i didn't . i was listening and questioning patiently .

Wally1967

06-30-2010, 05:21 AM

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/HNBC/sign0004.gif...........http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/HNBC/1947eatingpopcornanddrimt4.gif

BLUE THOR

06-30-2010, 06:36 AM

HAHA ... you make it become " Someone " game ... hahaha

No i don't . So it means i can't discuess in here and listen you guys comment ?

What? they dont speak English out West?

to the rest of you, Good work with the pics.

Pete031

06-30-2010, 11:01 AM

It's like a highspeed/sandman combo.....

California Joe

06-30-2010, 04:35 PM

Christ on a push bike, as Chops would say.

Ravage

06-30-2010, 05:40 PM

Christ on a push bike

Ummm....ok, eeeee.... I'm lost here......what?!

vinny_121_ND

06-30-2010, 05:44 PM

Ummm....ok, eeeee.... I'm lost here......what?!

Peace_benny is a sas gear collector/ major fan boi.

Ravage

06-30-2010, 06:35 PM

No not that. I meant: "Christ on a push bike" - I mean.....I'm just....wow....

Strykes

06-30-2010, 07:02 PM

No not that. I meant: "Christ on a push bike" - I mean.....I'm just....wow....

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?120810-ID-these-pants-worn-by-Leonardo-Di-Caprio-in-Blood-Diamonds-(MP-Net-Classic-topic)

Fourth post down will show it in better context :-D.

Strykes.

Ravage

06-30-2010, 07:07 PM

Chops is da MAN!

Bradles

07-02-2010, 04:13 AM

I know some of these members are Aussies, but what would they be? Notice the SAS vehicle in the background? Or...?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFdrM_V_oFQ

Ballistic

07-02-2010, 04:31 AM

Considering the British kit being shown, they may be Aussie gunners with Op HERRICK. Not sure though, as they aren't based at Tarin Kowt.

Sergeant Boot

07-02-2010, 04:32 AM

Sorry I found the music insufferable, couldn't watch past 1 minute ;)

BLUE THOR

07-02-2010, 04:37 AM

Considering the British kit being shown, they may be Aussie gunners with Op HERRICK. Not sure though, as they aren't based at Tarin Kowt.

X2, thats the logical conclusion, only gunners could be that deaf that they choose such horrid music p-)

Ballistic

07-02-2010, 04:40 AM

X2, thats the logical conclusion, only gunners could be that deaf that they choose such horrid music p-)

ROFL, true.

Strykes

07-02-2010, 04:40 AM

Hmm, dw computer took half an hour to post, it was already answered by then...

Strykes.

BLUE THOR

07-02-2010, 04:49 AM

Just going to point out, the LRPV's are used mainly by 1CDO these days, not the SASR. Although they could still have been using them when this was filmed.
As for the SF link... It might be them... It might not be them... Unless you become one of them, I don't think you'll ever know.

Strykes.

Ask Peace Benny, he'll tell you all about it

Britishhawk

07-02-2010, 06:42 AM

How dare they treat the beloved L85 like that !

Jameten

07-02-2010, 11:55 AM

The music?!?!?! Sweet jesus and god my ears!!!

Th3Rul!ng@sS

07-02-2010, 02:38 PM

I see some dutchies as well, but nice vid!

goat89

07-02-2010, 05:19 PM

Aussies are in Tarin Kowt with the Dutch... A Singaporean team there too.../ but didnt know Brits were there too! Maybe stopover for a while and the Diggers were attached to them? :D

custodes

07-02-2010, 05:21 PM

Ha Gunny Bunnies. My sound is still broken. ;-)

Great vid. They all looked so happy. They love their job.

goose36

07-02-2010, 11:10 PM

Not sure who they are, but that LRPV was next to a ODA truck, there is a plethora of units up at the range everyday so who knows? **** vid too!

Buzzbug

07-03-2010, 11:11 AM

For the sake of the sake of any Australian in that clip, i hope they had nothing to do with the production or the posting of it on YT.
Showing the SF guys using the range is just f*cking stupid.

Strykes

08-02-2010, 02:11 AM

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on Task
Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) are considered combat ready and are able to be deployed in a wide range of positions.
JTACs provide a vital link between the aircraft and ground troops, providing up-to-date information on the battlespace from a forward position. This can either be done from the ground or from the air.
The JTAC course is four weeks long and consists of theory, simulation and practical application based training. During this time, students are taught about Offensive Air Support capabilities, airspace integration, Close Air Support and integration into the Joint Fires environment.
Students are able to start controlling live aircraft from the beginning of their training, starting with propellor-driven PC-9 Forward Air Control aircraft and progressing to jet fighters.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132180
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100802a/20100729adf8248214_271.JPG

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from No. 4 Squadron RAAF Williamtown NSW, put their All Terrain Vehicles through their paces during training at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132178
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100802a/20100729adf8248214_283.JPG

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from No. 4 Squadron RAAF Williamtown NSW, put their All Terrain Vehicles through their paces during training at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132175
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100802a/20100729adf8248214_293.JPG

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller from No. 4 Squadron RAAF Williamtown NSW, put their All Terrain Vehicles through their paces during training at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132174
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100802a/20100729adf8248214_299.JPG

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller from No. 4 Squadron RAAF Williamtown NSW, put their All Terrain Vehicles through their paces during training at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132177
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100802a/20100729adf8248214_448.JPG

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller from No. 4 Squadron RAAF Williamtown NSW, prepares to place a panel marker down while practicing marking Landing Zones at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132176
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100802a/20100729adf8248214_525.JPG

A Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 flies past a Joint Terminal Attack Controller from No. 4 Squadron RAAF Williamtown NSW, during training at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132179
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100802a/20100729adf8248214_528.JPG

A Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 flies past a Joint Terminal Attack Controller from No. 4 Squadron RAAF Williamtown NSW, during training at RAAF Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2010.

No. 4 Squadron was raised in 2009 after the merging of the Special Tactics Project and the Forward Air Control Development Unit. They provide RAAF qulified forward air controllers for SOCOM operations. The personel from No. 4 squadron are trained to be an effective memeber of either Commando or SAS patrols - By the SFTC if I remember correctly. The JTAC's come from all over the RAAF, from ADGies to AP-3C crewmen and beyond. I am unsure what the selection process with No. 4 Squadron currently is.

Strykes.

goat89

08-02-2010, 02:22 AM

^Most excellent info!
I believe Australia was the world's first non-NATO military to have NATO qualified JTAC operators?

Sandgroper

08-02-2010, 02:32 AM

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132175
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100802a/20100729adf8248214_293.JPG

That's really cool.

Strykes

08-02-2010, 02:42 AM

Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course (JTAC) and Exercise Arnhem Thunder 2007
Exercise Arnhem Thunder 2007 was conducted at near Townsville and involved more than 150 personnel, 10 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and three PC-9 aircraft.
The exercise runs for three weeks. The first week supports the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Course being run by Forward Air Control Development Unit with close air support from F/A-18 Hornets.
The second week also involved close air support, this time with PC-9 aircraft providing forward air control.
In the third and final week, 3 Squadron practiced large force employment scenarios where eight aircraft at a time practice air-to-ground targeting twice a day.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/may/20070522/index.htm

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132184
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/may/20070522/20070418raaf8164169_0002.jpg

A student on the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course (JTAC) using UHF radio during an assessment in the High Range Training Area.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132183
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/may/20070522/20070418raaf8164169_0067.jpg

Lieutenant Myors relays timings required via radio to the Joint Offensive Support Team nearby and two F/A-18 Hornets overhead, with an instructor assessing his progress, during the last week of the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course in the High Range Training Area at Townsville.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132182
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/may/20070522/20070418raaf8164169_0061.jpg

A student on the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course (JTAC) run by Forward Air Control Development Unit describing the target location to F/A-18 Hornet conducting close air support overhead.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132181
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/may/20070522/20070424raaf8164169_0084.jpg

F/A-18 Hornet with two external fuel tanks, two Mk-84 2000lb bombs and a Mk-82 500lb bomb.

Some old photos of FACDU, old but still good.

^Most excellent info!
I believe Australia was the world's first non-NATO military to have NATO qualified JTAC operators?

Would not surprise me, considering the size of our force in Afghanistan, although I don't know for sure.

goat89

08-02-2010, 02:47 AM

That's really cool.
Yeah! Cool eh? I am always envious of ppl driving ATVs. Camouflaged military types to boot ><

ubermensche

08-02-2010, 05:56 PM

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3073/sasr50thanniversaryih0.jpg

Is it just me or does the guy in the back with the SAS beret look like him:
132275

AroundTheCorner

08-02-2010, 08:56 PM

That's just you.

Strykes

08-03-2010, 12:57 AM

^Most excellent info!
I believe Australia was the world's first non-NATO military to have NATO qualified JTAC operators?

Just found that it was USAF JTAC qualified, which would seem to mean NATO as well.

Recently the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) once again won kudos for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by becoming the first foreign air force to receive Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) accreditation from the United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM).

http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/editions/200606/groups/airforce.htm

Strykes.

Sandgroper

08-03-2010, 01:08 AM

A couple of videos from YouTube. I don't know if they've been posted in here before so be gentle. (The first one says SAS in the title but the ending of the video actually says it's Tactical Assault Group East)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVQrZgdsc3Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln4Rx6sfxvU

blacksheep

08-03-2010, 03:09 AM

Hello does anyone knows the brand of this ModularAssault Pack which these guys are wearing?

http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100628a/20100607adf8266070_0410.jpg

Opening Batsman

08-03-2010, 03:21 AM

Aviator 1

08-03-2010, 03:24 AM

StuRat

08-03-2010, 03:33 AM

That's SORD, I do believe.

Gear Queer.

Opening Batsman

08-03-2010, 04:08 AM

Gear Queer.

Professional knowledge, muppet. :p

gafkiwi

08-03-2010, 05:00 AM

Is the ADF supplying Nads to the ANA/ANP?
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100628a/20100607adf8266070_0410.jpg

BiZ

08-03-2010, 05:06 AM

The JTACs also seem to have scored some good gear and M4's to boot.

Strykes

08-05-2010, 03:58 AM

Exercise Pitch Black New Zealand Air Force Deliver the Goods
The Royal New Zealand C-130 Hercules conducted a tactical mission under 'enemy' fire to insert a team of Special Tactics Combat Controllers into Bradshaw Bombing Range to conduct tactical landing zone reconnaissance and terminal attack control in support of Exercise Pitch Black.
Combat Controllers are highly specialised and deploy with the special forces in Afghanistan. Exercises such as Pitch Black provides the controllers with vital training to prepare for operational deployments.
Combat Controllers undertake advanced infantry training, special forces entry testing, special operations basic course and commando selection and training.
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100805a/index.htm

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132563
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100805a/20100802raaf8159758_0001.jpg

Royal New Zealand Air Force pilots manoeuvre a C-130 Hercules towards Bradshaw Bombing Range in the Northern Territory.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132562
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100805a/20100802raaf8540589_0018.jpg

A Combat Controller from No. 4 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown, NSW drives an All Terrain Vehicle off the ramp of a Royal New Zealand C-130 Hercules into Bradshaw Bombing Range, Northern Territory.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132564
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100805a/20100802raaf8540589_0020.jpg

A Combat Controller from No. 4 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown, NSW on an All Terrain Vehicle, leaves the cargo area of a C-130 Hercules. Combat Controllers will perform airfield reconnaissance in the desolate terrain of Bradshaw Bombing Range, Northern Territory.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=132565
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/pitchblack10/gallery/20100805a/20100802raaf8540589_0021.jpg

A Combat Controller manoeuvres an All Terrain Vehicle through the desolate terrain of Bradshaw Bombing Range.

:)

Strykes.

peace_benny5405

08-06-2010, 12:33 AM

Is the ADF supplying Nads to the ANA/ANP?
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100628a/20100607adf8266070_0410.jpg

I believe it is , because the NAD still have the ADF issued functionality label on it . And also , as i know the NAD was only made for ADF , not for anyother countries.

peace_benny5405

08-06-2010, 12:35 AM

Hello does anyone knows the brand of this ModularAssault Pack which these guys are wearing?

http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100628a/20100607adf8266070_0410.jpg[/URL]

[url]http://www.sordaustralia.com/details.php?catid=122&parentid=80&checkpage=1&oldpage=1 (http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100628a/20100607adf8266070_0410.jpg)

peace_benny5405

08-06-2010, 12:41 AM

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/REL31301

digrar

08-08-2010, 04:11 AM

*** COPYRIGHT WARNING: If you're posting about an article on another site, only include a summary of what the article is about and a link back to the original article. Do not cut and paste the contents of the article here. Do not hotlink images unless you have permission from the original site to do so. ***

Couldn't you see that in the post reply box? Don't hotlink images, use an image host.

SuchIsLife

09-02-2010, 12:04 AM

muttbutt

09-02-2010, 01:26 AM

Sandgroper

09-02-2010, 01:37 AM

Just a heads up - on 60 Minutes they have a report this Sunday (5th Sept) which Covers the ADF and its preperations for war with (qouting Channel 9)......China!

Not sure what to make of it personally.

LOL at 60 Minutes.
Without driving this thread too far off topic, I just checked their website and found a slideshow from a story they did about the RAN.

Michael Usher and the 60 Minutes crew join soldiers from the navy on board the HMAS Kanimbla.

Navy soldiers? And this caption:
Aerial pic of the Bonhomme Richard - almost identical to the two landing helicopter dock ships that Australia is building right now.
for this photo. :roll:
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/9382/205py.jpg

SuchIsLife

09-02-2010, 02:23 AM

LOL at 60 Minutes.
Without driving this thread too far off topic, I just checked their website and found a slideshow from a story they did about the RAN.

Sorry for the O/T, saw that but it was not the story they were covering, had alot of US Marines and images from recent US and Sth Korean excersices....

Strykes

09-13-2010, 01:41 AM

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=136261
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Sep/20100913b/20091022adf8115142_248_S.jpg
Soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group conduct compound clearance training at their base in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=136260
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Sep/20100913b/20100424_909_0268.jpg

A member of the Incident Response Regiment searches a Gizab local before attending a shura.

Hope you enjoy.

Strykes.

grendel

09-27-2010, 09:15 PM

Australian SAS and Indonesian Kopassus are conducting a Mumbai-style terrorist attack CT exercise in Bali today.

Kopassus commander said that human rights abuses are a thing of the past, but US-based Human Rights Watch spokesperson says documented abuses continue.

read:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/28/3023411.htm

Dominique

09-27-2010, 10:19 PM

So what does the training they're receiving have to do with prior abuses? I know, NOTHING.

Kilgor

09-27-2010, 10:27 PM

So what does the training they're receiving have to do with prior abuses? I know, NOTHING.

Maybe they can politely ask them what happened to the Balibo Five ?

Alfacentori

09-27-2010, 10:29 PM

Maybe they can politely ask them what happened to the Balibo Five ?

In all fairness I don't know how many of those serving on todays Kopassus were serving at the time of Balibo...

Alfa

B. Traven

09-28-2010, 12:16 AM

Some may ask what's Balibo five at all:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balibo_Five (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balibo_Five)

The Balibo Five was a group of journalists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalist) for Australian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia) television networks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_network) based in the town of Balibo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balibo) in East Timor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Timor) (then Portuguese Timor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Timor)) where they were killed on 16 October 1975 during Indonesian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia) incursions prior to the invasion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_invasion_of_East_Timor).[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balibo_Five#cite_note-SMH_LK-0#cite_note-SMH_LK-0)
In 2007, an Australian coroner ruled that they had been deliberately killed by Indonesian special force soldiers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopassus).[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balibo_Five#cite_note-McDonald-1#cite_note-McDonald-1) The official Indonesian version is that the men were killed by cross-fire during the battle for the town.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balibo_Five#cite_note-2#cite_note-2)

Dominique

09-28-2010, 12:19 AM

Not to diminish what happened 35 years ago, but all of this has what to do with the SASR providing training, so that the Indonesians can respond to a terror attack?

BLUE THOR

09-28-2010, 12:29 AM

I remember hearing something when I joined up about the SASR and Kopassus training prior to the East Timor blow up in 1999. Apparently this only helped aid the Aussies in indentifying some of the dead "militia" in the streets.

AFAIK, Kopassus are quite good anyway. But a bit of cross training is always mutually benificial.

Sandgroper

10-15-2010, 03:44 AM

I was reading this PDF (http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:IljZgZhCMl4J:www.awm.gov.au/media/releases/download.asp%3FMedia_Release_ID%3D314+A4-140&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiLTnSTo_8iSNOhYv9ZVv6JW1pUFEPD5YPFepOpmrjuJGVl4nUfz9mr_0MJJb6tJBfNnXN17FhfXG6EOi2t3UCcis8Y-MH42ir6_CORDHd6kqguiKbJPXQ1srcfnNG51GSxVuef&sig=AHIEtbQuohBwcAJZIW81nirM1FIMTPlVkA) and was surprised by this

16 December 1969 - Parachute insertion of 90 SAS soldiers into Thua Tich, the largest airdrop of SAS troops in the war up to that point

There is also a mention of it in Phantoms of the Jungle by David Horner. The jump was called Operation Sterling, and about half of 3 Squadron SASR jumped into the area as part of Operation Marsden, which was an offensive on Viet Cong in the May Tao mountains being undertaken by 6RAR/NZ.

The words 'up to that point' imply that there were other parachute operations by the SASR in Vietnam. Does anyone know anything more about them?

Dave76

10-15-2010, 11:52 AM

I've been (hobby-)researching the topic combat jumps since the end of WW2 for a couple of years now and I'm not aware of any other jumps by the SASR during the Second Indochina War besides said OP (Sterling). That doesn't mean that there weren't any other, just that I haven't come across any references concerning any more operational jumps by the diggers during that conflict.
The French conducted a lot of jumps (nearly 250) during the First Indochina War, the Americans and (South-)Vietnamese jumped a couple of times (especially SOFs) but it looks like that this was the only parachute OP by the Australians.

Strykes

10-15-2010, 09:58 PM

The words 'up to that point' imply that there were other parachute operations by the SASR in Vietnam. Does anyone know anything more about them?

Their first operational jump was in Jan 1967. (Can't find operation name)

The new year began with the SAS's first operational parachute jump when, using parachutes borrowed from US Special Forces, the squadron jumped into a dry paddy field. Murphy described the operation as "largely a sporting gimmick".
- Murphy being Maj. (Later Lt Col) John Matt Murphy, CO 3 squadron (1966~1967). Who had prevously served with 2RAR, 3RAR and US Special Forces.

Operation Marsden/Sterling, Dec. 1969.

3 Squadron conducted an operational parachute jump into a grassy area 5 Km north west of Xuyen Moc. A ten-man patherfinder group, led by Beesley, parachuted in on the afternoon of 15 December and the next morning about half of the squadron jumped from Caribou aircraft onto the LZ. From there three patrols were deployed into AO's by APC while two more walked into their areas. The remaining patrols were extracted by Chinook. While operation Sterling, as it was known, provided the opportunity to practise parachute operations, it also served as a deception for the insertion of the five patrols. The last patrol returned to bas on 23 December, the squadron having sighted two enemy with no contacts.
-Beesley being Maj. (Later Col.) Reg P. Beesley, CO 3 Squadron (1967~1970). Who had prevously served as a Troop commander, CO 2 Squ. SASR and later CO SASR and Directer Of Special Action Forces.

The only two I can find. Sorry mate.

Strykes.

Strykes

10-15-2010, 10:05 PM

Just found this odd snipet too.

The Director of Military Operations and Plans at Army Headquarters, Brigadier L. I. Hopton, set our the requirement in Sept. 1969: "Whilst there has been no proposal, so far, for the SAS squadron in Vietnam to conduct parachute operations, this dpes not recessarily imply that there is no requirement for the SAS Squadron to be parachute trained, with the potential for combat descents..."

By that stage there had been a few combat jumps by them.

Strykes.

Sandgroper

10-15-2010, 10:19 PM

Thank you.
Makes me wonder what else they did that is still unknown to most people.

Dave76

10-16-2010, 01:28 PM

Their first operational jump was in Jan 1967. (Can't find operation name)

The new year began with the SAS's first operational parachute jump when, using parachutes borrowed from US Special Forces, the squadron jumped into a dry paddy field. Murphy described the operation as "largely a sporting gimmick".

Interesting! Got a source for that?
Looks like I'll have to go through 3 SAS Sqn Comds Diary from January 1967, should be mentioned there I hope.

BTW, the jump in December 1969 by 3 Sqn was named Operation Stirling, not Sterling. A frequent mistake.

Strykes

10-16-2010, 07:54 PM

Interesting! Got a source for that?
Looks like I'll have to go through 3 SAS Sqn Comds Diary from January 1967, should be mentioned there I hope.

BTW, the jump in December 1969 by 3 Sqn was named Operation Stirling, not Sterling. A frequent mistake.

Its Sterling, not Stirling. (According to Aust. Army history).

Source, Phantoms Of War, History of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, by David Horner.

Strykes.

digrar

10-16-2010, 08:47 PM

Reads as Sterling in my copy of Phantoms of the Jungle too. Interesting with the David Stirling and Stirling Ranges links that SASR has.

Dave76

10-17-2010, 06:33 AM

Yeah, I know it says Sterling in Phantoms and elsewhere, looks like someone erroneously used the wrong name at some point and it just spread from there. Take a look at 3 SAS Sqn Comds Diary December 1969 page 43 ff:

http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/AWM95/7/AWM95-7-12-20.pdf

Stirling, straight from the horse's mouth so to speak. ;-)

Dave76

10-20-2010, 03:27 AM

@Strykes: Still looking for the source of that "largely a sporting gimmick" quote.
Cheers.

Sandgroper

10-20-2010, 04:34 AM

Dave, I've found it, it's also from Phantoms of the Jungle.

Strykes

10-20-2010, 04:46 AM

@Strykes: Still looking for the source of that "largely a sporting gimmick" quote.
Cheers.

Yeah, all of that was from Phantoms of War. And thanks for the link to those reports. Seems you were right. Kinda odd that Horner got it wrong.

Strykes.

marc83

11-20-2010, 07:10 AM

Multicam use to be extended

http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2010/Nov/1119.htm

" Special Forces soldiers have said this is the uniform they want to wear," Mr Clare said."

" Mr Clare said Defence has made an urgent order from the United States to get these uniforms to troops in Afghanistan as quickly as possible."

"I have also instructed the Defence Materiel Organisation to pursue the purchase of a licence to provide for the potential manufacture of this uniform in Australia if the extended trial is successful," Mr Clare said. "

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q5/marcuscov/Aussie/Special%20Forces/SOTG193November10-Uruzgan.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q5/marcuscov/Aussie/Special%20Forces/SOTG194November10-Uruzgan.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q5/marcuscov/Aussie/Special%20Forces/SOTG195November10-Uruzgan.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q5/marcuscov/Aussie/Special%20Forces/18.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q5/marcuscov/Aussie/Special%20Forces/16.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q5/marcuscov/Aussie/Special%20Forces/15.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q5/marcuscov/Aussie/Special%20Forces/14.jpg

mack pl

11-20-2010, 01:39 PM

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q5/marcuscov/Aussie/Special%20Forces/SOTG194November10-Uruzgan.jpg

Nice, pimped AK-47.

JamesW

12-01-2010, 02:02 AM

Channel Seven news is about to show some footage of TAG East training in Sydney last night. I could hear the Black Hawks from my house.
I'll keep an eye out for video footage.

JamesW

12-01-2010, 02:31 AM

Here's a link to the video shown by Channel Seven, it was actually shot by freenews.com.au:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQedh28FJiA

Bushranger

12-01-2010, 02:40 AM

Thats about 2 km from my house i saw a Black hawk scream past about 6.30, then heard it again later. Wish i knew exactly where it was i would have gone checked it out.

chopper255

12-01-2010, 03:00 AM

The did a job on the old RTA building in Rosebery.

skullandbones

12-01-2010, 05:12 AM

That there is old school domestic counter terrorism training at it's worst.p-)

Eztyga

12-01-2010, 05:29 AM

They were always using Defence Plaza in the city for training. Nothing new here...

grendel

12-01-2010, 01:03 PM

Good stuff. Nothing beats unedited and unauthorised footage in HD. The locals weren't impressed too - not being told prior to the exercise ;)

harosokman

12-02-2010, 04:09 AM

That front door seemed a bit of a struggle, curious why they didnt use a bit more force (explosive entry, vehicle tow rope to rip it off)

BLUE THOR

12-02-2010, 08:40 AM

That front door seemed a bit of a struggle, curious why they didnt use a bit more force (explosive entry, vehicle tow rope to rip it off)

there would be a good reason, or a good debrief/AAR point :)

Andreas

12-02-2010, 08:52 AM

Cool seeing the flashbangs go off story by story..

Echo300

12-02-2010, 10:55 AM

Very cool. Thanks.

G3SG1

12-02-2010, 06:26 PM

i have a news video with the known SASR chopper accident in Australia in 1996 but i didn't posted it since it brings bad memories

goose36

12-03-2010, 08:26 PM

[QUOTE=skullandbones;5329343]That there is old school domestic counter terrorism training at it's worst.p-)[/QUO

at its worst?

BiZ

12-06-2010, 09:25 PM

That front door seemed a bit of a struggle, curious why they didnt use a bit more force (explosive entry, vehicle tow rope to rip it off)

Possibly to practise manual entry techniques. There are a lot of times when explosives are not an option....

Eztyga

12-15-2010, 04:51 PM

I like the 'Normandy' paint job on the helmet above.

AussieJess

12-16-2010, 01:45 AM

A Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) soldier rests before a mission in northern Kandahar.

T3ngu

01-19-2011, 04:46 PM

THE second SAS soldier in two years will be awarded the nation's highest military honour the Victoria Cross for Australia.

The Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, and senior political leaders including Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will travel to Perth this Sunday for the investiture ceremony at Campbell Barracks.

.........

Rumours have been circulating for some time that an unnamed SAS corporal engaged in an intense battle in the Shah Wali Kot region of Northern Kandahar last October could be nominated for the top honour.http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/sas-soldier-to-receive-victoria-cross/story-e6freooo-1225991323059

Goldfishsoldier

01-19-2011, 04:52 PM

Holy crap didn't see this coming, congrats to the soldier.

Slouch

01-19-2011, 04:53 PM

Ah so it was approved in the end. Top news!

goat89

01-19-2011, 05:12 PM

'Grats to the SASR soldier.

Alfacentori

01-19-2011, 05:14 PM

Outstanding news, well deserved I'm sure

Alfa

happyslapper

01-19-2011, 05:40 PM

Congrats to the trooper!

Whitcomb

01-19-2011, 05:47 PM

Congrats to the SASR trooper

Mu-Meson

01-19-2011, 06:14 PM

Awesome news! Keep kicking ass and taking names.
Speaking of names, is the "unnamed corporal" going to be named at some point?

Ment0s

01-19-2011, 09:41 PM

Congrats to the man.

digrar

01-19-2011, 09:46 PM

I hear a story that McPhedran might have mixed up this action in October with another that happened in June. This October action might result in a VC too.

digrar

01-19-2011, 10:11 PM

Looks like that story I heard was wrong.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/corporal-to-be-second-sas-soldier-in-two-years-to-receive-vc-in-afghanistan-conflict/story-e6frg8yo-1225991654152

AN SAS corporal has become the latest soldier to be cited for the nation's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross for Australia, defence sources have confirmed. The soldier, from Western Australia and in his early 30s, is the second member of the elite Perth-based Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) to receive the award in two years.
Senior defence sources confirmed the battle after which the soldier was recommended for the VC occurred last October in the Sha Wali Kot (http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100616/index.htm) region of northern Kandahar.
It's understood the action involved other Australian special forces soldiers from the Commando Regiment.
Sha Wali Kot has been the scene of ongoing operations involving Australian, US and Afghan special forces pursuing Taliban commanders.

digrar

01-19-2011, 11:41 PM

Although the story I'm hearing is that the media still have it wrong... Should be a good story when it comes out.

Bushranger

01-20-2011, 12:37 AM

Awesome news to hear, be interesting to hear the full story. Well done Trooper.

omis

01-20-2011, 03:01 AM

Cant wait for this . Awesome new

harosokman

01-20-2011, 03:04 AM

Another Tick in the box for us Aussies!

scttgillies

01-20-2011, 04:20 AM

Well done lad

Paul85

01-20-2011, 04:23 AM

Congrats to the brave soldier :)

great news indeed

Corrupt

01-20-2011, 04:23 AM

Excellent news! Congrats to the trooper

IFOR77

01-20-2011, 08:05 AM

Congrats to the Soldier.

shortyirish12

01-20-2011, 09:09 AM

Congrats to the deserving trooper. Australia should be proud of him and the fact that there government isn't afraid to decorate deserving members. Here in Canada there have been many incidents in Kandahar and Helmand where men deserved it but get a lesser decoration. We can't seem to approve anyone. It's not right.

Congrats again Corporal

shorty

Elliott70

01-20-2011, 11:14 AM

Good work corporal, congratulations

euskalman

01-20-2011, 12:41 PM

Congratulations! We always need people who set an example of bravery.

kayaker

01-20-2011, 12:43 PM

congrats... when will the full story be published? If ever...

omis

01-20-2011, 06:11 PM

Hearald Sun 21.1.2011

EXCLUSIVE: A FEARLESS Digger who single-handedly took out three Taliban machine gun nests will be honoured with the Victoria Cross for Australia. The Herald Sun has learned the SAS Corporal - realising his mates were in deadly peril - charged headlong into battle in Afghanistan last year.

"He just tore into the enemy," a witness said of the father of two, known as Ben.

"This guy is a warrior," another mate said.

The identity of Corporal Ben - pictured receiving a Medal for Gallantry for bravery in 2006 - will be revealed on Sunday when Governor-General Quentin Bryce presents his VC.

A large Taliban force had established numerous firing positions around several heavy machine guns.

About 25 Perth-based Diggers from the Special Air Service Regiment were under withering fire.

Realising his mates were in grave danger, a corporal charged headlong into the Taliban machine gun fire.

The sight of the 203cm Australian warrior coming at them must have terrified the bearded Afghans.

Within minutes three enemy machine guns had been silenced and numerous Taliban fighters lay dead.

A man mountain of a West Australian boy named Ben - or "RS" to his mates - had turned the battle.

His comrades say it was the most extreme example of conspicuous gallantry since Albert Jacka VC jumped into a trench full of Turks at Gallipoli in 1915, killing seven with his rifle and bayonet.

During an offensive in the Shah Wali Kot area of Northern Kandahar Province, coalition intelligence had intercepted enemy "chatter" about a large group of Taliban fighters moving to attack a combined force of Aussie commandos and Afghan National Army soldiers.As soon as word came through, the SAS troops at Camp Russell near Tarin Kowt immediately mounted several American Blackhawk choppers for the 15-minute flight into battle.

After landing in the customary "brown out" dust cloud, the SAS men immediately took the fight up to the enemy, but it was clear that they would falter unless the machine guns were neutralised.

Step forward "RS" - the biggest man in the regiment by a fair margin.
"He just tore into the enemy," a comrade said.

"He is the epitome of the Spartan soldier. It was only a matter of time before he would demonstrate his true ability."

"RS" joined the SASR in 2002 from the army's 3rd Battalion. He is a specialist sniper and "assaulter".

He is also a loving husband and father of two young daughters.
He was awarded a Medal for Gallantry in December 2006 for his courage under fire in Afghanistan's Chora Valley in the same battle where Sgt Matthew Locke, who was killed in action during 2007, won his MG.

During that fight, according to comrades, "RS" tore a Taliban fighter off his back like an insect, stood on his throat and shot him dead.
His identity will be revealed on Sunday when Governor-General Quentin Bryce pins a Victoria Cross for Australia on his massive chest in front of his proud family, mates and military and political leaders including PM Julia Gillard and Chief of Defence Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.

Several other soldiers will also receive awards.
21 Australian soldiers, including three from the SAS, have been killed in Afghanistan.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=44d_1295562117

ZKJ

01-20-2011, 06:32 PM

THE brown dust from the departing choppers that carried the SAS squadron south from their base at Tarin Kowt had barely cleared when all hell broke loose. It was October 2010, at the height of the Afghanistan fighting season, and a large Taliban force had established numerous firing positions around heavy machineguns.
More than 24 elite Perth-based Diggers from the Special Air Service Regiment were under withering fire.
Realising his mates were in grave danger, and with no regard for his own welfare, the SAS Corporal charged headlong into the Taliban machinegun fire.
The sight of the 202cm Australian warrior coming at them must have shocked the bearded Afghans.
Within minutes three enemy guns had been silenced and numerous Taliban fighters lay dead.
West Australian Ben, or "RS" to his mates, had taken out three machinegun positions single handedly.
His comrades said it was the most extreme example of conspicuous gallantry since Albert Jacka VC jumped into a trench full of Turks at Gallipoli in 1915, killing seven with his rifle and bayonet.
"He just tore into the enemy," one of his mates said.
"He is the epitome of the Spartan soldier. It was only a matter of time before he would demonstrate his true ability."
Now the soldier - already awarded a Medal of Gallantry - will become the latest to be awarded the nation's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross For Australia.
"This guy is a warrior," one of his ex-colleagues said ahead of Sunday's investiture ceremony.
The battle that led to the honour came during an offensive in the Shah Wali Kot area.
Signals intelligence had intercepted enemy "chatter" about a large group of Taliban fighters moving to attack a combined force of commandos from the Sydney based 2nd Commando Regiment and the Afghan National Army.
The SAS had been mounting helicopter-borne assaults throughout the offensive, targeting Taliban commanders and bomb makers.
As soon as word came through, the troops from the squadron based at Camp Russell near Tarin Kowt immediately mounted several US Blackhawk choppers for the 15-minute flight into battle.
After landing the SAS took the fight to the enemy, but it was clear they would falter unless the machineguns were neutralised. Step forward "RS", the biggest man in the regiment by a fair margin.
"RS" joined the SASR in 2002 from the army's 3rd Battalion. He is a specialist sniper and "assaulter" and a devoted husband and father of two young daughters.
He was awarded a Medal for Gallantry in December 2006 for his courage under fire in Afghanistan's Chora Valley in the same battle in which Sergeant Matthew Locke, who was killed in action during 2007, won his MG. During that fight, according to comrades, "RS" tore a Taliban fighter off his back like an insect, stood on his throat and shot him dead.
By the time the battle was over about 60 Taliban lay dead from small arms fire, hand-to-hand combat and close air support.
Ben's Victoria Cross will make him the most decorated Australian soldier in decades.
His good mate Rob Maylor, whose book SAS Sniper was released last year, describes him as an outstanding soldier: "He has excelled as an operator in the Regiment, and is also an SAS sniper, but his main calling is as an assaulter and he is exceptional."

Pic is of soldier being awared the MG.

Sandgroper

01-20-2011, 09:34 PM

He was awarded a Medal for Gallantry in December 2006 for his courage under fire in Afghanistan's Chora Valley in the same battle where Sgt Matthew Locke, who was killed in action during 2007, won his MG.

During that fight, according to comrades, "RS" tore a Taliban fighter off his back like an insect, stood on his throat and shot him dead.

Bloody hell.

Congratulations to the Corporal.

grendel

01-21-2011, 01:11 AM

http://www.filedump.net/dumped/captainaustralia1295582215.jpg

'onya Corporal!

Warrigal

01-21-2011, 05:00 PM

My respects to the LC.

I hope you wear it well.

grendel

01-22-2011, 08:17 PM

just a heads-up for today on ABC News 24:

ABC News Special: Victoria Cross Awards Ceremony
2:00pm - 3:30pm

The awarding of the Victoria Cross, Australia's highest military honour, to an SAS soldier - the second SAS soldier in two years to be awarded the honour.

too bad my antenna is stuffed, couldn't get a clear Ch.2 and Ch.10 (anyone recording and uploading to YouTube?)

Strykes

01-22-2011, 09:46 PM

just a heads-up for today on ABC News 24:

too bad my antenna is stuffed, couldn't get a clear Ch.2 and Ch.10 (anyone recording and uploading to YouTube?)

I got the same problem, but the internet fixes all.

http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/abc4

It may, or may not, be put up as a re-watchable program on there later.

Strykes.

grendel

01-22-2011, 10:10 PM

Yeah, I can get free iView from iinet but ABC News 24 is metered. Anyway, I'm getting 66% TV reception strength at the moment with ABC so it's still viewable.

Sandgroper

01-22-2011, 10:40 PM

News from yesterday.

Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith, 32, will become just the second Australian recipient of a Victoria Cross since the end of the Vietnam War and the first to have already been awarded a Medal for Gallantry, which he received in 2006.

The married father of two, known as RS to his mates at the WA-based Special Air Service Regiment, will receive the famous medal from Governor-General Quentin Bryce at a ceremony at Campbell Barracks in Swanbourne.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8693473/wa-digger-awarded-vc-medal/

grendel

01-22-2011, 11:38 PM

Some more info:

... The actions for which Cpl Roberts-Smith earned his VC took place on June 11 last year after helicopters landed his troop near the village of Tizak in Afghanistan's Kandahar province to capture or kill a senior Taliban commander.

The VC citation states the unit was immediately pinned down by machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire from elevated Taliban positions, and two soldiers were wounded.

Under covering fire, Cpl Roberts-Smith and his patrol manoeuvred to within 70 metres of three Taliban machine guns in a fortified position south of the village.

The patrol commenced an attack on the position but after getting within 40 metres were prevented from going further by heavy and sustained fire.

As Cpl Roberts-Smith headed toward a small building that provided some cover, he saw an insurgent ready to engage his patrol so instantly shot him dead at point-blank range.

He then showed his own position to the insurgent machine gunners to draw fire away from his patrol, enabling his patrol commander to throw a grenade and silence one of the guns.

"Seizing the advantage, and demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous gallantry, Corporal Roberts-Smith, with a total disregard for his own safety, stormed the enemy position, killing the two remaining machine gunners," the citation reads.

Cpl Roberts-Smith went on to attack other positions and he and another patrol member killed more insurgents as his troop, no longer pinned down, cleared the village of Taliban.

The citation says the decisive engagement caused the Taliban to retreat from the Shah Wali Kot district and Cpl Roberts-Smith's most conspicuous gallantry in a circumstance of extreme peril was instrumental to the success of the troops against a numerically superior force...

Medal for Gallantry

... Cpl Roberts-Smith was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for bravery in June 2006 when his patrol was manning an observation post under insurgent attack near Afghanistan's Chora Pass.

At one point, while alone in an exposed position, he used his sniper rifle to stop the advance of 16 insurgents and held his position while under fire from other militia until air support arrived...

http://www.smh.com.au/national/sas-digger-awarded-vc-for-taking-on-taliban-20110123-1a0zd.html

digrar

01-23-2011, 01:40 AM

I hear a story that McPhedran might have mixed up this action in October with another that happened in June. This October action might result in a VC too.

Looks like that story I heard was wrong.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/corporal-to-be-second-sas-soldier-in-two-years-to-receive-vc-in-afghanistan-conflict/story-e6frg8yo-1225991654152

Although the story I'm hearing is that the media still have it wrong... Should be a good story when it comes out.

McPhedran was wrong.

Warrigal

01-23-2011, 02:26 AM

I see his name has been published.

I'd have thought that would/should be a no-no with Special Forces guys.

digrar

01-23-2011, 02:37 AM

Probably should be, but there is precedent with Simpson VC, Apiata VC and Donaldson VC.

Sandgroper

01-23-2011, 02:47 AM

Here's a link to his VC citation, as well as his MG citation and a bio.
http://www.defence.gov.au/special_events/Roberts-Smith/index.htm

muttbutt

01-23-2011, 05:07 AM

Is every SASR recipient of the VC required to be a ginger?....Dear God do they clone these men amongst men or what?

digrar

01-23-2011, 05:19 AM

Not quite clones, one of them is about a foot taller than the other one. :)

muttbutt

01-23-2011, 05:20 AM

Not quite clones, one of them is about a foot taller than the other one. :)
Yeah but he was designed to fight in small spaces......Do they issue wheelbarrows in the SASR?

Slouch

01-23-2011, 06:15 AM

McPhedran was wrong.

Becoming all to often for McPhedran to be wrong. I hold him in very low regard.

CPL Roberts-Smith, however is a very different story. Mostly because he is bloody huge.

http://i.imgur.com/mlJGZ.jpg

mhpr262

01-23-2011, 06:38 AM

Hats off to him. But Jesus Christ couldn´t they have given him a better fitting shirt for the official photo???

digrar

01-23-2011, 06:39 AM

He'd probably be able to fit Keith's rack on his chest.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7725/31119574.jpg

Goldfishsoldier

01-23-2011, 06:43 AM

Wouldn't be suprised if the Taliban just dropped dead when they saw that giant charging towards that pit.

tobigforyou

01-23-2011, 08:48 AM

I didn't find a thread for them so here.

POST ALL SAS RELATED NEWS/MEDIA HERE

Australian SASR in Afghanistan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUhJiWVSwVs

Victoria Cross Recipient Marc Donaldson interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S25QfRu55BM

tobigforyou

01-23-2011, 10:44 AM

Australian SASR(TAG)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4HM3TVb9WE

jameshr4

01-23-2011, 01:14 PM

Well done that man very well deserved.

Ballistic

01-23-2011, 01:49 PM

australian sasr(tag)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4hm3tvb9we

TAG E = 2 Cdo.

ubermensche

01-23-2011, 05:03 PM

http://www.eliteukforces.info/video/uksf-index.php

01-23-2011, 08:02 PM

Battlefield mateship worthy of VC

EARLY on a June morning, SAS Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith crouched behind a small pile of rubble in an Afghan valley as Taliban machinegunners hosed bullets at him from 20m away.

He saw the lines of gunfire tearing up the dust around two other soldiers lying in the open near him.

Convinced the men were about to be killed, the corporal unfolded his 196cm frame from behind the rubble, dashed the length of a cricket pitch towards the bullets, and killed the insurgents, who were shooting from behind the protection of a low stone wall.

Roberts-Smith's courage almost certainly saved the lives of his patrol-mates.

A week before Christmas and safely back in Australia, he was called by his commanding officer, who asked him to bring his wife to his office. The couple were told they were to be sent to speak to a defence housing committee to explain life as a "normal army family". Instead, when Roberts-Smith arrived he found the chief of the army waiting and he was told he'd be awarded the Australian Defence Force's top bravery award, the Victoria Cross of Australia. He's now in a very exclusive group and, with the Medal for Gallantry he won in 2006, Australia's most highly decorated soldier.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/battlefield-mateship-worthy-of-vc/story-e6frg6z6-1225993252369

inAussie

01-25-2011, 06:59 AM

kayaker

01-25-2011, 07:07 AM

Too good a PR opportunity to miss...

grendel

01-25-2011, 07:26 AM

Because the public cannot honour an anonymous individual ;)

Battlefield mateship worthy of VC

EARLY on a June morning, SAS Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith crouched behind a small pile of rubble in an Afghan valley as Taliban machinegunners hosed bullets at him from 20m away.

He saw the lines of gunfire tearing up the dust around two other soldiers lying in the open near him.

Convinced the men were about to be killed, the corporal unfolded his 196cm frame from behind the rubble, dashed the length of a cricket pitch towards the bullets, and killed the insurgents, who were shooting from behind the protection of a low stone wall.

Roberts-Smith's courage almost certainly saved the lives of his patrol-mates.

A week before Christmas and safely back in Australia, he was called by his commanding officer, who asked him to bring his wife to his office. The couple were told they were to be sent to speak to a defence housing committee to explain life as a "normal army family". Instead, when Roberts-Smith arrived he found the chief of the army waiting and he was told he'd be awarded the Australian Defence Force's top bravery award, the Victoria Cross of Australia. He's now in a very exclusive group and, with the Medal for Gallantry he won in 2006, Australia's most highly decorated soldier.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/battlefield-mateship-worthy-of-vc/story-e6frg6z6-1225993252369

^ Here's a recording of the interview right after the awarding ceremony:

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/am/201101/20110124amextra-vc-explanation.mp3

digrar

01-25-2011, 07:14 PM

Well Done Cpl, The badly fitting shirt, possibly as he has been recently deployed he lost weight..still the PR crew should have got that right!

Secondly, as he is serving SF why like the previous ADF VC winner has he been named and photographed for the masses? I can recall only last year ADF infantry families being phoned up by hoax Defence personnel and told a family member had been shot. Am all for the awards and there probably are several others out there who should have the gongs. But why all the 4th Estate stuff?

What happened to OPSEC?

Probably should be, but there is precedent with Simpson VC, Apiata VC and Donaldson VC.

The VC is different, all the boys who get the SG's, MG's and CG's are protected, but the VC is different and that's that. It hasn't really hindered Willie and Mark, it probably won't hinder RS.

The shirt, probably comes down to him losing weight, or being the size of two normal diggers stitched together... He probably hasn't worn pollies since he got the MG. It's small beer at any rate.

domino

01-29-2011, 06:00 AM

What the type of m14 sopmod is that?

digrar

01-29-2011, 06:43 AM

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3073/sasr50thanniversaryih0.jpg
SASR

The bearded bloke standing to the right, that looks like a pre 1962 Brit GSM on the left, what is the medal to the right?

Scorchio

01-29-2011, 08:19 AM

The bearded bloke standing to the right, that looks like a pre 1962 Brit GSM on the left, what is the medal to the right?

Special Constabulary Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Dave76

01-29-2011, 02:05 PM

SOTG:

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/451/sotg100.jpg

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8379/sotg101.jpg

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/6442/sotg102.jpg

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/602/sotg104.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3601/sotg105.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9159/sotg106.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3513/sotg107.jpg

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/7071/sotg108.jpg

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/3135/sotg103.jpg

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/7373/sotg109.jpg

Big Mo

01-29-2011, 06:35 PM

got a link for hires??

digrar

01-29-2011, 06:38 PM

Special Constabulary Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

No wonder I couldn't find it in any of the normal medal lists. Cheers.

Dave76

01-29-2011, 07:34 PM

got a link for hires??
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8379/sotg101.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/602/sotg104.jpg

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3513/sotg107.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6442/sotg102.jpg

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/3601/sotg105.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7071/sotg108.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/451/sotg100.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3135/sotg103.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/9159/sotg106.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7373/sotg109.jpg

Dave76

01-29-2011, 07:42 PM

More SOTG:

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2402/sotg110.jpg
Hi-Res (http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/2402/sotg110.jpg)

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/95/sotg111.jpg
Hi-Res (http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/95/sotg111.jpg)

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8137/sotg112.jpg
Hi-Res (http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8137/sotg112.jpg)

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1050/sotg113.jpg
Hi-Res (http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1050/sotg113.jpg)

muttbutt

01-29-2011, 08:36 PM

Those lads commandos?

Elliott70

01-29-2011, 08:44 PM

Those lads commandos?

Possibly SASR?

Dave76

01-29-2011, 09:01 PM

Those lads commandos?

Possibly SASR?

The Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) includes SASR, 2nd Commando Regiment (ex 4RAR Cdo), 1st Commando Regiment and members of the IRR.

PJ187

01-30-2011, 03:48 PM

SOTG lad with a 101 patch?

Dave76

01-30-2011, 04:05 PM

SOTG lad with a 101 patch?
They (SOTG) are working together with one the CABs of the 101st, as can be seen in some of the other pics. So he probably chose to wear the Screaming Eagle out of respect/camaraderie.

digrar

01-30-2011, 07:19 PM

Or here mate, have a patch. Cheers *slaps it on his arm*.

digrar

01-31-2011, 12:18 AM

http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/?xml=defencenews_army.xml

Page 18 and 19, BRS, VC, MG account of the VC incident.

(http://img163.imageshack.us/i/vc31l.jpg/)

SuchIsLife

01-31-2011, 12:46 AM

http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/?xml=defencenews_army.xml

Page 18 and 19, BRS, VC, MG account of the VC incident.

(http://img163.imageshack.us/i/vc31l.jpg/)

Cheers Dig, great read. Well Done Lads.

Warrigal

01-31-2011, 01:25 AM

Thanks for posting, Dig'.

Looks like he's carrying an M14. It's the first time I've seen one on an Aussie.

Were they used much when you were in service ?

digrar

01-31-2011, 02:23 AM

SOTG are the only ones with them as far as I am aware. They weren't in anybodies armoury when I was in.

Warrigal

01-31-2011, 02:25 AM

They got a big rap early on by Yanks serving in the colder regions of Afghanistan, claiming they out performed the M16.

kayaker

01-31-2011, 06:44 AM

Thanks for the article, good read.

Interesting that he chose only a 3x magnification in that terrain.

digrar

01-31-2011, 07:18 AM

Been a sniper for a dozen years, been in the Regiment for nearly a decade, fair chance he knew where he was going to be working and what he would need.

grendel

01-31-2011, 10:30 AM

Thanks for the article, good read.

Interesting that he chose only a 3x magnification in that terrain.

Check out the RM marksman onboard a chopper:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?185611-Today-s-Photos-Monday-September-6th-2010&p=5178743&viewfull=1#post5178743

grendel

01-31-2011, 10:32 AM

2 mysterious pics finally solved...

http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100616/20100600adf8266070_0199.jpg

http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100616/20100600adf8266070_0188.jpg

marc83

01-31-2011, 01:39 PM

don't think these have been posted so far ,

SAS

http://i.imgur.com/KtJyg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hZ4PF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XkMYS.jpg

by the way i'm trying to replace the dead links from my post on previous page , but can't find the editing button , if anyone can help ( PM ) thx

Dave76

01-31-2011, 01:43 PM

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5735/benjaminrobertssmithsas.jpg
Hi-Res (http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5735/benjaminrobertssmithsas.jpg)

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/5735/benjaminrobertssmithsas.jpg
Hi-Res (http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5735/benjaminrobertssmithsas.jpg)

CPL Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC, MG with the Special Operations Task Group, prepares to deploy to the Shah Wali Kot Offensive. Shah Wali Kot Offensive Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) partnered with Australian Special Forces from the Special Operations Task Group conducted a deliberate operation to clear a Taliban insurgent stronghold in the Shah Wali Kot region of northern Kandahar province.The Shah Wali Kot Offensive comprised synchronised and deliberate clearance operations involving Australian Commandos combined with a number of surgical helicopter-born assaults from Special Air Service (SAS) troops on key targets. Removing Taliban insurgents from Afghan communities allows the Government of Afghanistan to establish a presence and gain the trust of the community to provide them with necessary infrastructure and security that was not provided by the insurgents.The Shah Wali Kot Offensive was part of Australia’s contribution to Operation Hamkari, the Coalition operation to extend the Government of Afghanistan’s influence into Kandahar City. Photographer: LT Aaron Oldakerhttp://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5735/benjaminrobertssmithsas.jpg
Hi-Res (http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/5735/benjaminrobertssmithsas.jpg)

CPL Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC, MG with the Special Operations Task Group, moves away from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during preperation of the Shah Wali Kot Offensive. Photographer: SGT Paul Evans

kayaker

01-31-2011, 03:30 PM

no kak, maybe the surprise was due to my lack of knowledge in that area....

WaffleBurger

04-26-2011, 10:03 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4N2Xz5uICE
Saw this the other day, thought I'd share it.

DerekZoolander

05-08-2011, 01:26 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/national/sas-push-to-fight-with-elite-us-forces-20110508-1eeb6.html

AUSTRALIA'S elite Special Air Service regiment has asked repreatedly to be allowed to broaden its scope of operations in Afghanistan, but has been knocked back.
The Age has been told that the secretive force asked to be detached from Australia's command structure in Afghanistan and instead operate under the banner of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) alongside British and American special forces.

However, it is believed the requests were rejected at least partly because the area of operations would be significantly larger than the current footprint, and could even lead to Australian special forces fighting in Pakistan.

NovocastrianUK

05-08-2011, 01:30 PM

I say why not, good luck to the Aussie SAS.

GruppeDrei

05-08-2011, 01:33 PM

Byrocratic paperwarriorsis are the worst thing in army!

custodes

05-08-2011, 01:36 PM

They want to bring the fight to the enemy. Where ever it may be.

pigmode

05-08-2011, 04:42 PM

respect...

Nizark

05-08-2011, 05:51 PM

Translation: Hey mom, can we go play with other kids? They really know to have fun, have cool toys and their parents let them go everywhere!

harosokman

05-08-2011, 07:04 PM

Translation: Hey mom, can we go play with other kids? They really know to have fun, have cool toys and their parents let them go everywhere!

*SAS standing at AO Boundary attempting to put a BS Mousetrap Report over in a fake american accent, "You think this will work?"*

(Mousetrap is AO clearance request)

SilentType

05-08-2011, 08:39 PM

In for a penny in for a pound.

Does the Australian government think that terrorists and insurgents really make a distinction between a nation with a smaller footprint and one with a larger one? No. So they can't possibly believe this would increase risk of terrorist attack on Australia.

They are concerned about public opinion. If Australian SAS are killed or something goes bad would the Australian voters demand withdrawal? Perhaps.

Elliott70

05-08-2011, 09:34 PM

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?197898-SAS-to-help-US-hunt-down-al-Qaeda-leaders

Why not, the Brits are getting in on it.

Toddy1

05-08-2011, 10:21 PM

The SASR are already going on ops with other SOF's in Afghanistan. Although this does not involve ops into Pakistan as our Government will not allow.

SASR want to increase their presence and do more, I see nothing wrong with this, but only if Government sanctioned, which I do not think will happen.

grendel

05-15-2011, 07:57 AM

Some nice vids from Charlie Co., 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment supporting SOTG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4gYokqUXjo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rojyTDH-Akw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzFI6gxGCzQ

grendel

05-15-2011, 08:01 AM

Also a higher rez version of the previously posted vid from http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?187069-Australian-Defence-Force-Thread&p=5520893&viewfull=1#post5520893

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDNb6fUYz_k

grendel

05-28-2011, 07:23 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuFQ0DG02kg

Australian Special Forces provided emergency first aid to a seriously injured woman and two children, when their partnered patrol encountered the devastating aftermath of an insurgent Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion on 29 April 2011. The partnered patrol, comprising officers from the Afghan Provincial Response Company – Uruzgan and the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG), were returning to base when they came across the blast site and found several Afghan civilians dead or seriously injured. Sadly, the condition of the youngest patient, a girl less than 12 months old, continued to deteriorate and she died the next day from injuries suffered in the blast.

grendel

05-28-2011, 07:27 AM

gotcha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0f1NxtxajY

grendel

05-28-2011, 07:27 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rzZe7kpuWg

cdr marcinko

05-28-2011, 09:08 AM

SOTG has both 4RAR and SASR , right ?

BLUE THOR

05-28-2011, 09:18 AM

SOTG has both 4RAR and SASR , right ?

4RAR is now 2CDO. 1CDO and IRR (Incident Response Regiment - Engineers) is part of the SO community as well.

digrar

05-28-2011, 09:48 PM

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/3379/25123421197460883731411.jpg

Two Special Operations Group soldiers farewell Sergeant Brett Wood as he departs Tarin Kot airfield.

Dave76

05-29-2011, 05:06 AM

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4489/sotg114.jpg

The Special Operations Task Group catafalque party presents arms at a memorial service for Sergeant Brett Wood who was killed in action. Mid Caption: Australian Army soldier Sergeant Brett Wood, MG was farewelled from Afghanistan in a memorial service and ramp ceremony at Multi National Base Tarin Kot. SGT Wood was killed in action on 23 May 2011 during a partnered Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and Afghan National Police operation. After the memorial service, Sergeant Wood’s casket was placed onto a Long Range Patrol Vehicle (LRPV) by members of his platoon and led through an honour guard from the Task Group before his journey home. Deep: The Special Operations Task Group is deployed to southern Afghanistan to conduct population-centric, security and counter insurgency operations. SOTG support the Afghan National Police’s Provincial Response Company. SOTG includes members from the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), 1st and 2nd Commando Regiments, the Incident Response Regiment, Special Operations Logistic Squadron and supporting units. http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/6001/sotg115.jpg

A wounded colleague watches on as members of the Special Operations Task Group carry their fallen mate, Sergeant Brett Wood, to a Long Range Patrol Vehicle at Multi National Base Tarin Kot.http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8213/sotg116.jpg

Special Operations Task Group soldiers carry Sergeant Brett Wood's casket through a guard of honour at Multi-National Base Tarin Kot.http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/7189/sotg117.jpg

A Special Operations Task Group member of the catafalque party rests on arms during a Memorial Service to honour Sergeant Brett Wood who was killed in action.
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/2913/sotg118.jpg

Special Operations Task Group members of Sergeant Brett Wood's platoon prepare to escort their fallen comrade to the Tarin Kot airfield.http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9703/sotg119.jpg

Special Operations Task Group, Coalition and Afghan soldiers form a guard of honour along the route to the Tarin Kot airfield during the ramp ceremony for Sergeant Brett Wood who was killed in action.http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/6921/sotg120.jpg

A Special Operations Task Group bearer party walks alongside Sergeant Brett Wood's casket as he is carried to an awaiting C-130 aircraft at Tarin Kot airfield.http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1382/sotg121.jpg

Soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group carry Sergeant Brett Wood's casket after the memorial service in Multi National Base Tarin Kot.http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/2643/sotg122.jpg

Special Operations Task Group soldiers from Sergeant Brett Wood's platoon make up the bearer party for their fallen mate.http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/8648/sotg123.jpg

The casket of Sergeant Brett Wood, draped with the Australian National Flag, with a dagger and Commando beret atop, is carried by members of Special Operations Task Group to the memorial service.http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/9844/sotg124.jpg

A Commando from the Special Operations Task Group bows his head during a minutes silence at Sergeant Brett Wood's memorial service. RIP Sergeant.

Dave76

06-02-2011, 11:05 AM

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1579/sotg1271.jpg

SGT Neil Spackman, kitted out with body armour, helmet and rifle, on patrol in the area of Tarin Kot, Uruzgan as part of winter operations. Sergeant Neil Spackman is the last ‘Nasho,’ or National Servicemen, to have served with the Special Forces in Afghanistan. He has recently returned home from a deployment with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Afghanistan, mentoring security forces and conducting population centric operations in enemy territory.http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1850/sotg126.jpg

SGT Neil Spackman stands in front of a Bushmaster in Tarin Kot during his winter deployment to Afghanistan.

Pete031

06-02-2011, 06:34 PM

Hard as Fvck.

muttbutt

06-02-2011, 07:51 PM

Feckin hell.....that man is a rock

HR24

06-02-2011, 09:49 PM

Hard as Fvck.

Quoted for truth, Pete.

digrar

06-03-2011, 06:30 AM

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1256/1256.pdf

Drawing on years of SF experience SGT Neil Spackman recently returned home from a deployment with SOTG in Afghanistan as the last National Serviceman to
serve with special forces.
Sgt Spackman was called up in 1971 at age 20. With the withdrawal from Vietnam already under way, he was spared from a deployment to the South-East Asian theatre.
“It would have been a great experience to go and do what we had trained so hard to do, but it wasn’t to be,” he said. “Sometimes you want to be careful what you wish for.”
Attempting SASR selection in 1972, Sgt Spackman was one of three successful candidates in a field of 30. After qualifying, he was posted to 3 Sabre Sqn, L Tp, where he served until 1973 when major changes in the regiment shifted him to 1 Sqn, C Troop, to hone unconventional, guerrilla and special warfare skills.
In 1975, Sgt Spackman discharged to spend some time back on the family farm at Wellington, but a year later he applied to go back to the SASR.
“They told me I had to pass selection again, and I did,” he said.
He was posted back to 3 Sqn, L Tp and promoted to corporal in 1978. He then joined 1 Sqn in a newly forged counter-terrorism team, trained by the British SAS.
As a senior NCO, Sgt Spackman was posted to the Special Warfare cell in Perth as an instructor.
Transferring to the ARes, Sgt Spackman worked as an instructor with 1 Cdo Regt and SASR on a part-time basis.
In 2003, he deployed to East Timor as personal security for the UN Deputy Commander.
Four years later, he became an assessor for SASR selection. In August last year, while on a selection course, he received a phone call from the OC of 1 Cdo Coy, in charge of the main operational group for SOTG’s winter rotation. “He wanted to know
whether I would be interested in joining a company on their tour in Afghanistan, I said ‘pick me’ before the OC finished his sentence,” Sgt Spackman said.
His four-month tour started in late November and his main role was to mentor elements of the local security force including the Provincial Response Company Uruzgan, a subunit of the Afghan National Police.
“We were training them in the techniques they required to conduct and plan their own operations and honing their skills in the field,” he said.
“They’re continually improving; the more training and operational experience they get, the more professional they become.”
With his successful tour of Afghanistan over, Sgt Spackman will now spend more time with his family, but will also continue to support SASR on a part-time basis.
“I’ve served for so long because of the people I work with and the pleasure I get when I teach people what I know. I love the Army and I love the regiment.
“I’m proud to have served most of my career with the SASR, but I’m equally proud to say I was a Nasho.”

Bushranger

06-03-2011, 06:46 AM

What a good story, i bet he would be a tough old bastard, old school as they come.

My respects.

Swedish Chef

06-03-2011, 07:28 AM

Respect, SGT Neil Spackman.
What is a Nasho?

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9233/57926487230cb545e665z.jpg
Hi-res (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/5792648723_11be8df925_o.jpg)

Special Forces soldiers and Afghan police await an extraction in Uruzgan.
Mid: Afghan National Police and their Australian Special Forces partners have further degraded the insurgent networks operating in central Uruzgan by capturing three key leaders in separate missions. Members of the Provincial Response Company Uruzgan (PRC-U) and the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) detained the objectives in Deh Rafshan and Baluchi during targeting operations in May.
Deep: The Special Operations Task Group is deployed to southern Afghanistan to conduct population-centric, security and counter network operations. SOTG support the Afghan National Police’s Provincial Response Company in Uruzgan and northern Kandahar. SOTG includes members from the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), 1st and 2nd Commando Regiments, the Incident Response Regiment, Special Operations Logistic Squadron and supporting units.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2521/5792649153daa0dbb578z.jpg
Hi-res (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5792649153_31e0f6aa02_o.jpg)

A Special Forces soldier observes a valley in Uruzgan as a Blackhawk circles above.

Bushranger

06-03-2011, 07:38 AM

A Nasho is what they called guys who were called up to serve national service in the Army.

Swedish Chef

06-03-2011, 07:43 AM

Thanks Bushranger.

vinny_121_ND

06-03-2011, 10:58 AM

That's got to take some guts to do the selection course again to reapply for service in the SASR.

0497

06-18-2011, 10:05 AM

More from CAB Phantoms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3NNW_x9cHU

DerekZoolander

06-18-2011, 10:41 AM

The SOTG surely must have done a number on the insurgents in Uruzgan. Everything printed about is a success from nabbing or killing insurgent leaders.

grendel

06-18-2011, 11:33 AM

^ If you'd like to know more about the SOTG's successes, go to www.defence.gov.au and type "mullah" in the search box.

0497

06-19-2011, 03:42 AM

The SOTG surely must have done a number on the insurgents in Uruzgan. Everything printed about is a success from nabbing or killing insurgent leaders.

I believe they're the 3rd largest special forces presence in Afghanistan. If only they'd be allowed to operated outside of Uruzgan.

digrar

06-19-2011, 03:51 AM

They are, the last two blokes from SOTG to be killed were not killed in Uruzgan.

goose36

07-08-2011, 04:49 AM

http://video.theaustralian.com.au/2046899511/Diggers-dodge-Afghan-bullets

PiratesScareMe

07-08-2011, 08:19 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/cmdr-aussie-troops-keen-tired-afghanistan-045550867.html

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian special forces are showing signs of fatigue in Afghanistan but the elite regiments' high retention rates show that soldiers remain eager to fight the decade-old war, their commanders said Friday.
Lt. Col. Grant, whose family name was not released for operational security reasons, held a rare media briefing on Friday after recently returning from Afghanistan where he spent seven months commanding Australia's 300 elite troops from Commando and Special Air Service Regiments.
Criticisms were raised earlier this week that the special forces were being overworked when a 35-year-old commando was killed during his fifth tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Australia provides the largest special forces contingent in Afghanistan after the United States and Britain.
Grant, a veteran of three tours since 2001, said he monitored troops in Afghanistan closely to ensure optimal performance and had to rest them on several occasions when they tired.

Goldfishsoldier

07-08-2011, 08:30 AM

gusto

07-08-2011, 10:53 AM

Awesome then we can have an army that just lets SF fight....ah... sorry we do cause lord knows conventional infantry can't fight...Just ask the US,Canada and British.....

What's that they do let their conventional infantry fight,Canada even lets its women fight.....mmmm

Well we won't let our infantry parachute then and we'll send our Reserve SF on the offensive.

We'll just float our infantry off shore and to do nothing...but be feeder units for SF and hand out poppies on city streets before ANZAC day....Crossfit anyone?

Lets not even talk about our Aviation or Armour boys...they're not SF not part of our new ANF. "Australian Niche Force" which is arty free.

I'm not taking a swipe at the SF just the cowards in Government and Head shed that love to spout about how Australia punches above its weight..yet we have the weight but no balls to use it.

ANF

http://www.ada.asn.au/defender/Spring%202003/PDF%20Versions/Niche%20Forces%20-%20Defender%20(Spring%202003).pdf

digrar

07-08-2011, 11:24 PM

There was word about 18 month back that a 3rd Commando regiment was going to be raised in Brisbane, but so far it hasn't happened. Be a good time to raise another regimenr considering the high retention and recruitment rate both Cdo and the SASR currently have.

3 Commando Regiment, or 3 Company 1 Commando Regiment?
Still a while off from what I've heard and the Reservist boys have not been having the same opportunities, so I'm not sure if having a third Company will help much.

grendel

07-09-2011, 05:17 AM

Aussies helping crack Afghan drug trade
Max Blenkin, AAP Defence Correspondent
July 7, 2011

AAP

Australian special forces in Afghanistan are performing a new counter-narcotics role, helping local authorities crack down on the thriving drug trade.

Their involvement came at the request of the Afghan government, Defence Minister Stephen Smith told parliament on Thursday.

Australian special forces were providing cordon security, logistical and medical assistance to the Afghan National Interdiction Unit (NIU) as it conducted counter-narcotics operations.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The aim was to disrupt a Taliban revenue stream from narcotics trafficking...

read the rest:
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/aussies-helping-crack-afghan-drug-trade-20110707-1h3ha.html

grendel

07-09-2011, 05:19 AM

Defence reveals human side of Afghan ops
Max Blenkin, AAP Defence Correspondent
July 8, 2011

AAP

Helmet-cam footage taken by an Australian soldier in Afghanistan shows an insurgent peeking around a corner, being shot and wounded then dashing into a compound to use a small child as a human shield.

Other footage shows Australian special forces troops withdrawing from an Afghan village in northern Helmand province, boarding helicopters as insurgent bullets strike the ground around them.

In a rare briefing to reporters, the usually secretive Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) revealed details of its activities in southern Afghanistan, including some recent operations.

read the rest:
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/defence-reveals-human-side-of-afghan-ops-20110708-1h66e.html

grendel

07-09-2011, 05:21 AM

Dept. of Defence 8 July 2011 SOTG briefing in full:
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=12101

grendel

07-09-2011, 07:02 AM

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6972/20110210sotg0771.jpg

Special Forces members wait for a snow storm to pass in the Zamto Valley, Kandahar.

SOTG XIV, based on a company group drawn from Army Reservists of the 1st Commando Regiment, partnered with the Provincial Response Company Uruzgan (PRC-U) in operations to support the Afghan government, shield the local population and disrupt the insurgency in the southern provinces.

Continued effort in Uruzgan and Kandahar over the winter months has led to the removal of prominent insurgent members and the recovery of several hidden weapons caches, including stores of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components that would have otherwise been used to target ISAF forces and Afghan civilians.

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Special Forces Reservists and members of the Provincial Response Company drive through deep snow in the Zamto Valley, Kandahar.

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Members of the Special Operations Task Group await a resupply amid the rugged mountains in Uruzgan.

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Members of the Special Operations Task Group conduct first aid for local nationals wounded in Tizak, Kandahar.

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The Forward Surgical Team at Tarin Kot treat a local national wounded by an IED strike.

Australian Special Forces have saved the lives of a woman and two children after their car struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Kandahar. Afghan National Police and members of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) provided immediate first aid to three casualties and requested an Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME). The wounded nationals survived but five others were killed in the blast.

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A Special Forces soldier fires at insurgents during the battle of Kajaki, Helmand on 23 May 11.

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A Special Forces soldier searches a Kajaki cave system for drugs and hidden insurgent caches.

Australian Special Forces have partnered with the Afghan National Interdiction Unit (NIU) to combat the drug networks that fund insurgent activities. Members of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) commenced operations with the NIU in May to help sever the link between the insurgency and the narcotics trade. NIU operations reduce the Afghan narcotics trade and the threat it poses to the long term security, development and governance of Afghanistan. Combined effort has resulted in hundreds of kilograms of drugs destroyed or confiscated as evidence and several individuals detained to face prosecution.

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An opium press, barrels and chemicals used to mass produce drugs in Baghran district, Helmand.

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Two National Interdiction Unit (NIU) members carry a bag of opium outside a Kajaki compound to be destroyed.

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Australian Special Forces prepare for a rotary wing extraction after a successful operation in Nesh, Kandahar.

grendel

07-09-2011, 07:09 AM

http://video.theaustralian.com.au/2046899511/Diggers-dodge-Afghan-bullets

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE2zDsnNEWw

Special Forces Helmet Cam in Afghanistan
Date: 08.07.2011 Duration: 1:52

Australian Special Forces soldiers with the Afghan Narcotics Interdiction Unit and their US partners during an operation investigating a suspected opium and weapons trading bazaar in Northern Helmand Province. During the clearance opium, ammonium nitrate, and a large cache of weapons and IED materials were located. The group was engaged by machine gun, rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. Once the materials were destroyed, the group called for extraction by helicopter - this occured under heavy fire. The group returned fire, were successfully extracted and moved on to the next operation.

HR24

07-09-2011, 09:38 AM

Can't say enough how appreciative I am of the Aussies efforts over the last 10 years. Tremendous.

grendel

07-09-2011, 10:04 AM

Yet not a lot of people outside Australia know of the amount of work that they've been doing ;)

grendel

07-24-2011, 11:55 AM

Special Forces discover large insurgent drug and weapon cache
22 July 2011

Australian Special Forces and their Afghan partners have further reduced the ability of insurgents to finance their illegal activities after a large drug and weapon haul in Daykundi Province.

On 10 July 2011, the Afghan National Interdiction Unit (NIU), supported by members of Australia’s Special Operations Task Group (SOTG), seized a tonne of opium, several kilograms of heroin and over two tonnes of chemicals used to make illegal drugs.

The operation also uncovered more than 20 weapons including pistols, rifles, machine guns and ammunition...

http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2011/jul/0722.htm

grendel

07-30-2011, 05:54 AM

SAS veteran's very private war after front-line career
Joseph Catanzaro, The West Australian July 16, 2011, 2:48 am

A decade ago, David Cirulis reckoned he was invincible. A member of Australia's most elite and secretive fighting force, the Special Air Service Regiment, he was in his own words, "a rock star" on the battlefield.

In East Timor in 1999, he fought the pro-Indonesian militia while suffering from an almost fatal bout of dengue fever. On his second tour in the dark and dangerous jungles, a busted knee and a back injury barely slowed him down.

When other soldier's bodies or minds began to buckle under the strain, like the other boys still standing on top of the mountain he looked down on them with scorn. A terse "toughen up sunshine" was the closest thing to comfort he would offer. Weakness was failure and was not tolerated in the SAS.

As soon as he arrived back in Australia from a deployment, he would hit the pub with his warrior brothers. The nightmares he had begun to suffer, and the pain of his injuries, were drowned out on four-day benders...

read the rest:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/9857110/sas-veterans-very-private-war-after-front-line-career/

grendel

07-30-2011, 05:56 AM

Secret toll of the war
JOSEPH CATANZARO, The West Australian July 16, 2011, 2:50 am

The full toll inflicted on Australian soldiers by a decade of war in Afghanistan has been exposed by new figures which reveal 3400 compensation claims have been lodged by wounded and injured Diggers.

Obtained exclusively by The Weekend West, the unprecedented insight comes after a former soldier from the Special Air Service Regiment broke the elite force's code of silence to speak out on behalf of the growing number of broken and battered troops.

While the Department of Defence has publicly admitted more than 180 soldiers have been wounded in the war, figures obtained from the Department of Veterans' Affairs show 920 wounded and injured soldiers have received compensation...

read the rest:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/9857098/secret-toll-of-the-war/

grendel

07-30-2011, 06:36 AM

Injured Diggers expose flaws
Joseph Catanzaro, The West Australian July 23, 2011, 2:37 am

Another five soldiers who served with the Special Air Service Regiment have broken the elite force’s code of silence to expose flaws in the Veterans’ Affairs Department’s system that they say is putting Diggers at risk.

Concerned for the new generation of battered and broken soldiers returning from Afghanistan, the normally taciturn troopers revealed a litany of issues they say they endured. Five had received compensation for physical injuries and four had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder...

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/9898807/injured-diggers-expose-flaws/

Shocking image shines light on reality of conflict
Joseph Catanzaro, The West Australian July 23, 2011, 2:38 am

It is an image so confronting that The Weekend West decided not to publish it.

The photograph we can't show you depicts a red, gaping hole in an Australian soldier's leg, the bloody gash surrounded by exposed muscle stripped of flesh.

Taken last year, the photograph shows a wound in the aftermath of an "incident", which saw the soldier's leg skewered by the barrel and scope of his own rifle during a 250km/h helicopter crash in Afghanistan. The image we have decided to publish shows the scars he will bear for the rest of his life, a crater in his leg.

This shocking photo, circulating in the tight-knit Australian Special Forces community, was leaked anonymously to draw attention to the confronting reality of Diggers wounded and injured in the decade-long war...

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/9898803

grendel

08-12-2011, 10:24 PM

10/08/2011 MECC 336/11

Insurgent Commander captured in Shah Wali Kot operation

The Afghan Police Provincial Response Company - Uruzgan and Special Operations Task Group have continued their recent operational successes, detaining another key insurgent commander.

The insurgent commander was detained during a partnered operation in the Shah Wali Kot area of Northern Kandahar on the 29th of July.

A highly skilled bomb maker and distributor of improvised explosive device components, it is believed the insurgent commander was also involved in the illicit drugs trade in the region...

read the rest:
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=12209

grendel

08-12-2011, 10:25 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXqAovRaFOk

grendel

10-17-2011, 10:29 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJLB_tbRzdM

grendel

10-20-2011, 08:50 AM

Diggers help seize 800kg of explosives

From: AAP
October 18, 2011 4:06PM

AFGHAN security forces backed by Australian special forces soldiers have destroyed almost a tonne of a chemical used by insurgents to build improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The operation was conducted this month by the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and its Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) partners who raided compounds in Kandahar province, the Department of Defence announced today.

The Afghan and Australian forces seized and then destroyed more than 800 kilograms of refined ammonium nitrate, a fertiliser which forms the basis of most IEDs used by insurgents in Afghanistan.

An Australian commander, identified only as Lieutenant Colonel G, said this quantity of ammonium nitrate could have manufactured about 50 IEDs...

read the rest (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/diggers-help-seize-800kg-of-explosives/story-e6frf7jx-1226169856781)