wrbones
04-05-03, 11:57 PM
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6245268%255E25777,00.html
Aussie in Baghdad advance
April 06, 2003
AN Australian warrant officer is on the advance into Baghdad with a United States Marine unit, Australian Defence Force spokesman Brigadier Mike Hannan said.
Brigadier Hannan said the Australian was a light armoured vehicle commander, but he did not know his precise role with the First Marine Expeditionary Force. He did not say exactly where he was.
Brigadier Hannan said the warrant officer was one of a number of Australians on exchange to US and British units engaged in the war.
Others were with ground forces in southern Iraq, with air units and with coalition ships.
Brigadier Hannan said Australia has still suffered no casualties.
Australia's F/A-18 Hornets were continuing to fly support missions. But of yesterday's missions, only one sortie engaged a military target and the rest returned without finding a suitable one.
Navy clearance divers were continuing to help clear the port of Umm Qasr, Australia's three ships were on escort and resupply operations in the gulf and the SAS continued their secret missions to gain intelligence on Iraqi movements.
Brigadier Hannan said one of the Australian wheat ships was standing off Kuwait waiting for berth space.
He was not sure where the other ship was, adding that the docks were very congested.
Brigadier Hannan said the government had not yet decided on any Australian military role in Iraq after the war.
"There's obviously a considerable debate and discussion to take place to determine what roles, military and other, would be appropriate for Australia, and the ADF always stands ready to meet the government's requirements," he said.
Aussie in Baghdad advance
April 06, 2003
AN Australian warrant officer is on the advance into Baghdad with a United States Marine unit, Australian Defence Force spokesman Brigadier Mike Hannan said.
Brigadier Hannan said the Australian was a light armoured vehicle commander, but he did not know his precise role with the First Marine Expeditionary Force. He did not say exactly where he was.
Brigadier Hannan said the warrant officer was one of a number of Australians on exchange to US and British units engaged in the war.
Others were with ground forces in southern Iraq, with air units and with coalition ships.
Brigadier Hannan said Australia has still suffered no casualties.
Australia's F/A-18 Hornets were continuing to fly support missions. But of yesterday's missions, only one sortie engaged a military target and the rest returned without finding a suitable one.
Navy clearance divers were continuing to help clear the port of Umm Qasr, Australia's three ships were on escort and resupply operations in the gulf and the SAS continued their secret missions to gain intelligence on Iraqi movements.
Brigadier Hannan said one of the Australian wheat ships was standing off Kuwait waiting for berth space.
He was not sure where the other ship was, adding that the docks were very congested.
Brigadier Hannan said the government had not yet decided on any Australian military role in Iraq after the war.
"There's obviously a considerable debate and discussion to take place to determine what roles, military and other, would be appropriate for Australia, and the ADF always stands ready to meet the government's requirements," he said.