Alfacentori
07-24-2009, 01:51 AM
Soldiers to get lighter body armor
Video: 'Less heavy' armour for Aussie troops (ABC News) (http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200907/r405465_1910490.asx)
Related Link: Defence report into Corporal Matthew Hopkins' death (http://www.defence.gov.au/coi/reports/090624%20-%20IO%20Rpt%20into%20the%20death%20of%20CPL%20Hopkins%20-%20Redacted.pdf)
Australian troops mentoring Afghan forces will be able to use lightweight body armour, after an inquiry into the death of an Australian soldier.
Corporal Matthew Hopkins, 21, was fatally shot in the head during an intense fire fight with insurgents in Afghanistan in March.
During a defence inquiry, several troops raised concerns about the weight of the body armour they were wearing during patrols.
Vice Chief of the Defence Force Lieutenant General David Hurley, says although light weight body armour would not have saved Corporal Hopkins's life, it will be distributed to troops who are currently training Afghan forces.
"While providing high levels of protection some soldiers felt that the weight of the body armour was not optimal for the type of light infantry operations the OMLT [mentoring group] was conducting," he said.
"And subsequently Army's Battle Worthiness board made a decision to increase the modular options for body armour currently being used."
The inquiry found Corporal Hopkins's wound was fatal and no medical intervention would have saved his life.
Lieutenant General Hurley praised the Australian, Afghan and coalition soldiers who provided medical assistance to Corporal Hopkins and assisted in his evacuation.
"The members of Corporal Hopkins's patrol fought well in dangerous and chaotic circumstances under heavy insurgent fire," he said.
"Their ability to perform at the level they did and maintain cohesion is a testament to their techniques, training and procedures."
Corporal Hopkins was the first member of Australia's Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force to be killed in action since its formation in October last year and one of 11 Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
in Afghanistan in 2001.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/24/2635627.htm
Alfa
Video: 'Less heavy' armour for Aussie troops (ABC News) (http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200907/r405465_1910490.asx)
Related Link: Defence report into Corporal Matthew Hopkins' death (http://www.defence.gov.au/coi/reports/090624%20-%20IO%20Rpt%20into%20the%20death%20of%20CPL%20Hopkins%20-%20Redacted.pdf)
Australian troops mentoring Afghan forces will be able to use lightweight body armour, after an inquiry into the death of an Australian soldier.
Corporal Matthew Hopkins, 21, was fatally shot in the head during an intense fire fight with insurgents in Afghanistan in March.
During a defence inquiry, several troops raised concerns about the weight of the body armour they were wearing during patrols.
Vice Chief of the Defence Force Lieutenant General David Hurley, says although light weight body armour would not have saved Corporal Hopkins's life, it will be distributed to troops who are currently training Afghan forces.
"While providing high levels of protection some soldiers felt that the weight of the body armour was not optimal for the type of light infantry operations the OMLT [mentoring group] was conducting," he said.
"And subsequently Army's Battle Worthiness board made a decision to increase the modular options for body armour currently being used."
The inquiry found Corporal Hopkins's wound was fatal and no medical intervention would have saved his life.
Lieutenant General Hurley praised the Australian, Afghan and coalition soldiers who provided medical assistance to Corporal Hopkins and assisted in his evacuation.
"The members of Corporal Hopkins's patrol fought well in dangerous and chaotic circumstances under heavy insurgent fire," he said.
"Their ability to perform at the level they did and maintain cohesion is a testament to their techniques, training and procedures."
Corporal Hopkins was the first member of Australia's Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force to be killed in action since its formation in October last year and one of 11 Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
in Afghanistan in 2001.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/24/2635627.htm
Alfa