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REME Lads Killed in Afghanistan
Topic Started: 16 Mar 2009, 07:17 AM (57 Views)
High Priestess
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Just heard this on the news.

I'm yet to acquire full details.

RIP to those two men, REME being the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, an integral part of our armed forces and a corps which my own father was a member of along with several of our members here :cry:
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Whuskers
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It is with the greatest sadness that I hear of the latest deaths in Afghanistan, because despite the gap of years, those REME lads that died were our comrades.

Young men and women of many Nations are at risk in the 'Ghan, as was brought home to all Australians via the special TV announcement early this morning.

I have just watched Air Marshall Angus Houston, Chief of the Australian Defence Staff, break the news to the nation that another Australian Serviceman (the ninth) has died as a result of a firefight with the Taleban in the 'Ghan. In accordance with the wishes of the deceased Soldiers family, personal details were not given out.

The regrets accorded to the family, the most sincere condolences of the Defence Staff and Government, delivered with solemnity, dignity and the utmost respect, were typically Australian in their manner and delivery. It is hard to equate the typical Australian contempt for authority with the empathy that exists here between the general populace and the Defence Forces. There is no antipathy here and the whole Nation, from the PM on down, is foursquare behind the Servicemen and their needs, as they go about the duties they have been allotted. There is none of the ambiguity, denial and blame placing that has typified the Whitehall and Horseguards Parade people, people that should be doing that same sterling work for the British Armed Forces but are falling well short.

I personally had and have, many misgivings about the incursion into the 'Ghan, with its historically well founded reputation for bliddy attrition towards any outside power that tries to control it. It's geography, terrain, ethnic mix and intrinsically warlike lifestyle, make it the hardest nut of all to crack. The areas from which the Taleban draws most of its recruits has a population of several million and it is not likely to run out of warm bodies with which to confront Coalition troops, so I am of the opinion that unless a workable strategy is put in place that will see the Taleban soundly thrashed and discredited, all that the deaths of our young people is presently achieving, is the best in situ training for insurgents, that money could buy.
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High Priestess
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Well said, Mo :tmb:
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