DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 357/09
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN
SUFFERS HEARING LOSS
An Australian soldier serving with the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force
(MRTF2) has suffered initial hearing loss as a result of an Improvised Explosive
Device (IED) exploding near his patrol. This soldier was involved in one of three
incidents which sadly included an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier being killed
and one other wounded on Monday, 19 October 2009.
This soldier was not identified as a battle casualty at the time of the incident. On
return of the patrol to a Forward Operating Base the soldier was subsequently
identified as suffering hearing loss. As a precautionary measure this soldier was aero-
medically evacuated to the Coalition Medical Facility in Tarin Kowt for further
observation.
The soldier is currently on restricted duties, but is expected to return to duty once his
condition improves.
The soldier’s family has been notified.
The soldier suffered the hearing loss in an incident separate to the one which killed an
ANA soldier. However, the soldier was part of a series of mentored patrols involving
the ANA and Australian and coalition soldiers.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
