An Australian soldier serving with the Special Forces Task Group in Southern Afghanistan has returned to Australia for further medical treatment and rehabilitation. The soldier was wounded during an engagement with Anti-Coalition Militia elements. He was initially treated by his comrades and evacuated to a Coalition medical facility for surgery shortly after the incident. Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said the Australian soldier had returned to Australia for ongoing medical treatment.

“Once again the Australian and Coalition medical staff supporting our operations in Afghanistan have provided first-class care that has greatly increased the chances of this soldier making a full recovery,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said. “The soldier’s next-of-kin was informed of the injury shortly after it occurred and the ADF has worked closely with them to keep them informed of the soldier’s progress.”

The details of the incident, the identity of the soldier and the nature of his injury will not be released for operational security reasons.