Since the Last Post......

G'day Reader,

Since I last looked on here so much has happened.
The USA and we Australians as well as many other lands are still involved in Afghanistan and Iraq and although we're hurting for every one of our men and women, sons and daughters who are harmed or suffer the supreme sacrifice at our nations' bidding it's good to know they are still there doing their best. The thing is we who are at home in our varying countries, although it's not front page anymore must keep these people as our personal Front Page. All those serving away from home need to know every day that it's not just their immediate family and friends that cares and supports them, but that we all do.

This has no need to be a long post.

Just REMEMBER to spare a thought for our combined men and women each day.

Images From Operation Slipper

07 July 2008
Reconstruction Task Force 4 - latest operations

Reconstruction Task Force 4 is expanding its operations north from its base in Tarin Kowt, building a series of patrol bases for use by ISAF and the Afghan National Police and Army. The Task Force is now operating regularly north of Tarin Kowt, an area of great strategic significance to the Taliban Extremists in Oruzgan Province.

A section of mortars fires on likely enemy positions during a night mission at the new joint patrol base north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
A section of mortars fires on likely enemy positions during a night mission at the new joint patrol base north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Who you gonna call? Corporal Shane Brown mans the radio in a sniper hide at the new joint patrol base north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Private Shane Cavagnino maintains security as soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force searches a deserted building north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Simon Eustace from the Reconstruction Task Force searches an abandoned building whilst on patrol north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Soldier from the Reconstruction Task Force search an abandoned building whilst on patrol north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force patrol in the Green Zone north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force patrol in the Green Zone north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Corporal Russell Page from the Reconstruction Task Force on patrol in the Green Zone north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Private Nicolas Espie provide security as soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force talk to an Afghan Bedouin north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
A soldier from the Reconstruction Task Force search an abandoned building whilst on patrol north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force search an abandoned building whilst on patrol north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
A section of mortars fires on likely enemy positions during a night mission at the new joint patrol base north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.

RIP Signaller Sean McCarthy...

These are the posts that no one ever wants to have to write. When I fire up about something a post will flow and be out in 20 mins but these ones, I just never really know what to say.

For Australians, every loss of a Digger is a devestating blow. Many of us can still name every Soldier lost in combat since 2001. The national news still reports on the losses as does our mainstream media. For a country whose very identity was founded on the legend of the ANZACS and our Diggers, we sometimes find it hard to fathom that our Diggers are people just like us. But each loss reminds us they are human, they fall, they bleed and they do die.

THE Australian soldier killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan was a "top bloke" who had been looking forward to returning for his second combat tour of the country, close friends say. SAS Signaller Sean McCarthy, a 25-year-old rugby-mad soldier from the Gold Coast, was killed when a bomb exploded near his vehicle, the Defence department has said. Two other Australian special forces soldiers were injured, along with a soldier from another country. Personnel who served with Signaller McCarthy, also known as "Seano", told NEWS.com.au he was a "bloody good bloke" and a talented soldier. One army mate, Aaron Pearce, said Signaller McCarthy loved a joke, loved taking care of children and would never let down a friend. "He was a big family dude - he used to play with my kids when they came around to the barracks,” Mr Pearce said. “He wasn’t a dad himself, but he certainly carried himself like that." He also had a great sense of humour and was very quick-witted, he said. Another former colleague told NEWS.com.au: "Sean was a great bloke who was very talented, he rarely complained and did his job to the best of his ability." Pte of Perth said: "It was nice knowing ya Seano, we will continue the struggle and do you proud. RIP mate." CPL MJP of Canberra said: "Catch you later Seano. All out love. Certa Cito."

Biography - Sean McCarthy BIOGRAPHY OF SIGNALLER SEAN McCARTHY - SIG Sean Patrick McCarthy was born on January 5, 1983 in Auckland, NZ. - He enlisted into the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on July 10, 2001. - Posted to 7 Signals Regiment on July 14, 2003. - Posted to (Special Air Service Regiment) SASR on January 15, 2007 and was an active member of the regiment up until his death. Operational service includes: - Special Operations Task Group (SOTG V) Afghanistan, 2007 - Operation Astute in East Timor, 2008 - Redeployed to Afghanistan, 2008 Awards and commendation for service: - SOCAUST commendation - Australian Defence Medal for service - International Coalition Against Terrorism Clasp - Afghanistan Campaign Medal - NATO Medal

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sean McCarthy. May they find peace in the knowledge that Sean will not be forgotten.

Rest easy Digger...

AC

Another Digger Lost...

Let us not forget those lost before Signaller Sean McCarthy in Afghanistan...

Australians killed in Afghanistan

2008
July 8 - Signaller Sean McCarthy, 25, from Perth-based Special Air Service Regiment

April 27 - Lance Corporal Jason Marks, 27, from 4RAR commando unit in Sydney killed in battle with Taliban fighters in Oruzgan province. Four other commandos wounded

2007
November 23: Private Luke Worsley from 4RAR commando unit in Sydney killed in battle with Taliban fighters in Oruzgan province

October 25: SAS Sergeant Matthew Locke killed by Taliban fighters in Oruzgan province

October 8: Trooper David Pearce killed and another soldier seriously injured in roadside bomb attack in Oruzgan province

2002
February 16 - Sergeant Andrew Russell, 33, killed when his vehicle struck a landmine in southern Afghanistan

AC

Inspiration...

If you have but one opportunity, make it count.




The strength to persist, the courage to endure.




Continuous effort is the key to unlocking our potential. -Winston Churchill

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well of ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy

See beyond the ordinary.



"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and staedy dedication of a lifetime." - Adlai E. Stevenson



Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well of ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy





We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail. Peace and Freedom will prevail. -George W. Bush



True greatness comes when you're tested. -Theodore Roosevelt



We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Prosperity..



Together they gave to the nation the undying proof that Americans possess the pride of the patriot soldier.



Gold is tried by fire, brave men by adversity.



The ability to face danger for the greater good.



It is the strongest who prevail.



It takes an extraordinary person to face danger and maintain composure.






The power to impress - the design to conquer & the ability to command respect.



The reward of one duty is the power to fulfill another. –George Elliot



The process of directing one's scattered forces into one powerful channel.

Sharing The Burden Of Deployment...

Another great share for you...

Trish Grace

There aren’t many Army wives who get to experience what their husbands go through when they’re deployed overseas and conversely not a lot of soldiers know what it’s like to keep the fires burning on the home front for months at a time while a spouse is serving on operations.

David and Trish Grace know what it is like to walk in each other’s shoes, having both served in Iraq over the past year as well as doing a stint alone with their two children on the home front.

David and Trish, both Corporals in the Australian Army, are now based in Darwin; David as a medic with the 5th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment and Trish in the repair parts store at the 1st Combat Service Support Battalion, a workplace she describes as being “like an Army version of Repco”. Over the past two years, the couple has spent just four months together at home as a family with children Monique (14) and Dylan (10).

Trish is currently deployed as part of Security Detachment Baghdad (SECDET), the combat team which ensures the safety and mobility of Australian Government and Embassy staff in the Iraqi capital. Notice of her deployment came soon after David returned from a six month tour of duty with the Overwatch Battle Group. She was a late replacement for another soldier just weeks before the combat team left for Iraq. She runs SECDET’s spare parts shop out of a demountable hut and shipping container, a role that regularly sees her donning body armour and driving through Baghdad on re-supply missions.

Corporal Trish Grace, currently deployed to Iraq as part of Australia's Security Detachment in Baghdad, inside her repair parts shipping container which she likens to an "Army Repco" store.
Corporal Trish Grace, currently deployed to Iraq as part of Australia's Security Detachment in Baghdad, inside her repair parts shipping container which she likens to an "Army Repco" store.
Corporal Trish Grace, currently deployed to Iraq as part of Australia's Security Detachment in Baghdad, prepares to drive her armoured Unimog truck on a resupply mission.
Corporal Trish Grace, currently deployed to Iraq as part of Australia's Security Detachment in Baghdad, prepares to drive her armoured Unimog truck on a resupply mission.
Corporal Trish Grace, currently deployed to Iraq as part of Australia's Security Detachment in Baghdad, prepares to drive her armoured Unimog truck on a resupply mission.
Corporal Trish Grace, currently deployed to Iraq as part of Australia's Security Detachment in Baghdad, prepares to drive her armoured Unimog truck on a resupply mission.
Corporal Trish Grace, currently deployed to Iraq as part of Australia's Security Detachment in Baghdad, talks to her family back in Darwin while watching them live via web-cam.

Just Another Share

You know how sometimes I just see things and want to share them with others. This is one of those times. No build up, just the pics...

Women on the front line

Reconstruction Task Force 4 is expanding its operations north from its base in Tarin Kowt, building a series of patrol bases for use by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan National Police and Army. The Task Force is now operating regularly north of Tarin Kowt, an area of great strategic significance to the Taliban Extremists in Oruzgan Province.

Australia has deployed an ADF Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), consisting of a combined arms team, to the Oruzgan Province in Southern Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper. The RTF is in partnership with the Netherlands Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and forms part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. The RTF has a clearly defined role to work on reconstruction, improvement of provincial infrastructure and community based projects. The RTF also provides trade training to the local population and military engineering training to the Afghan National Army. This type of assistance is designed to benefit the people of Oruzgan Province well into the future and form building blocks of a stable and prosperous community. The RTF contains around 400 ADF personnel from predominately Brisbane and Sydney based units. It includes elements to provide command, security, engineering, and administrative support and is equipped with Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV), Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and armoured engineer plant equipment. Australia's contribution to ISAF is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to assist Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.

Peek a Boo! Private Lauren Maude becomes a hit with the local Afghan girls during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Try this for size. A little Afghan girl finds a new use for Private Lauren Maude Shamarg during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Sharing a moment. An Afghan girl becomes fixated with Private Lauren Maude as she meets the locals in Oruzgan Province.
Private Lauren Maude sits with an Afghan farmer’s daughter during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Secret girls business. Private Lauren Maude sits with a group of Afghan girls during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Setting a trend. Private Lauren Maude lends her ballistic sunglasses to a young Afghan girl during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Secret girls business. Private Lauren Maude sits with a group of Afghan girls during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Secret girls business. Private Lauren Maude sits with a group of Afghan girls during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Hello! A little Afghan girl sneaks a peek in front of Private Lauren Maude as she mixes with a young group of girls during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Secret girls business. Private Lauren Maude sits with a group of Afghan girls during her time on the front line with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.

AC