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Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan gun battle named Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan gun battle named
(3 months later)
The Australian Defence Force has named the special forces soldier killed in action in Afghanistan on Saturday as Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird.The Australian Defence Force has named the special forces soldier killed in action in Afghanistan on Saturday as Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird.
Baird was killed and two of his colleagues injured in a gun battle with insurgents in southern Afghanistan’s Khod valley.Baird was killed and two of his colleagues injured in a gun battle with insurgents in southern Afghanistan’s Khod valley.
He was the 40th Australian soldier killed in the Afghanistan campaign, and the first since last October, when an improvised explosive device killed Corporal Scott Smith.He was the 40th Australian soldier killed in the Afghanistan campaign, and the first since last October, when an improvised explosive device killed Corporal Scott Smith.
Baird was a member of the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment and was awarded the Medal for Gallantry in 2007. This was his fifth tour of Afghanistan.Baird was a member of the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment and was awarded the Medal for Gallantry in 2007. This was his fifth tour of Afghanistan.
He was born in Tasmania in 1981, and joined the army in 2000.He was born in Tasmania in 1981, and joined the army in 2000.
A statement from the Australian Defence Force said: “Corporal Baird died how he lived – at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in the 2nd Commando Regiment.”A statement from the Australian Defence Force said: “Corporal Baird died how he lived – at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in the 2nd Commando Regiment.”
The chief of the Australian Defence Force, Lt Gen David Hurley on Sunday told reporters that Baird had previously served in Iraq and East Timor, and that comrades had described him as "one of the most iconic figures in the regiment" and a true leader.The chief of the Australian Defence Force, Lt Gen David Hurley on Sunday told reporters that Baird had previously served in Iraq and East Timor, and that comrades had described him as "one of the most iconic figures in the regiment" and a true leader.
Hurley said of the two injured troops one was being treated for a gunshot wound at Kandahar air base and was expected to make a full recovery. The other, an Australian airman, was treated for minor injuries at Tarin Kowt.Hurley said of the two injured troops one was being treated for a gunshot wound at Kandahar air base and was expected to make a full recovery. The other, an Australian airman, was treated for minor injuries at Tarin Kowt.
Julia Gillard opened question time in parliament on Monday with a tribute to Baird.Julia Gillard opened question time in parliament on Monday with a tribute to Baird.
“They will never forget him, and we will never forget him,” she said.“They will never forget him, and we will never forget him,” she said.
On Sunday the prime minister said the corporal’s death was a great loss to the nation and expressed her condolences to his family.On Sunday the prime minister said the corporal’s death was a great loss to the nation and expressed her condolences to his family.
Gillard also said it was a reminder that the danger was not over yet for Australians serving in Afghanistan, despite preparations to withdraw all troops from the country.Gillard also said it was a reminder that the danger was not over yet for Australians serving in Afghanistan, despite preparations to withdraw all troops from the country.
"I think many had probably lulled themselves into a false sense of security that we would see no more losses in Afghanistan," she said."I think many had probably lulled themselves into a false sense of security that we would see no more losses in Afghanistan," she said.
"This news reminds us that our mission is ongoing, that the danger is ongoing.""This news reminds us that our mission is ongoing, that the danger is ongoing."
Baird’s body is being repatriated home. He is survived by his parents, his brother and his partner.Baird’s body is being repatriated home. He is survived by his parents, his brother and his partner.
"The family of Corporal Baird has requested their privacy be respected during this difficult time," the Department of Defence said in a statement on Monday."The family of Corporal Baird has requested their privacy be respected during this difficult time," the Department of Defence said in a statement on Monday.
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