Defence names commandos who died

Defence has named the three commandos killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan as
Private Tim Aplin, Private Ben Chuck and Private Scott Palmer.
Another seven Australian commandos injured in the crash remain in hospital in
Afghanistan - two in serious condition and awaiting transfer to Germany.
The names of the injured won't be released because of their protected special forces
status.
Preparations are under way for the repatriation of the remains of the three soldiers
to Australia.
That will be marked by the traditional farewell ceremony by fellow soldiers as they
depart the Australian base at Tarin Kowt and another on arrival at the Australian
base in the United Arab Emirates before they start their journey back to Australia.
The Cairns Post newspaper said Private Ben Chuck, 27, was formerly of Yungaburra,
North Queensland.
"He loved life and all that he could pack into it," his father Gordon Chuck told the
newspaper.
Mr Chuck, a student at Atherton High School, was colourfully described as a "former
crocodile baiter" who had worked at the Cairns Crocodile Farm and later performed
the "Crocodile Attack Show" at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, north of Cairns,
before joining the army.
Out of 250 candidates who took the gruelling special forces training course, just 18
made it, with Mr Chuck receiving the most outstanding soldier award, the newspaper
said.
The three soldiers, members of the 2nd Commando Regiment, died when their helicopter
crashed in the early hours of Monday, while on a mission in Kandahar Province.
Their deaths took the Australian death toll in nine years in Afghanistan to 16.
No explanation has been given for the mishap, although Defence head Air Chief
Marshal Angus Houston said it wasn't caused by enemy action.
The United States has confirmed one of its personnel was killed and three other
soldiers injured. A civilian interpreter travelling with the 10 Australian commandos
was also hurt.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said all seven injured soldiers were in a coalition
medical facility at the main coalition base at Kandahar, receiving the best possible
medical treatment.
He said two were in very serious condition in intensive care. One has a very serious
head injury. The other five soldiers are listed as being in a satisfactory
condition.
"Six of the seven soldiers have undergone surgery," he told parliament.
"The medical authorities have not yet made any decision as to when any of the
injured soldiers will be moved to the NATO medical facility in Germany. Any move
will only be taken when the condition of the soldiers allows."
Mr Rudd said these were hard days, but the government remained committed to
completing this mission.
Defence Minister John Faulkner said it was absolutely critical that Australia play
its part in stabilising Afghanistan.
"Why? Because we are helping to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a training
ground and safe haven and operating base for international terrorists," he told
Fairfax Radio.
"And we know that terrorists trained in Afghanistan have had a very direct impact on
Australians and Australia."