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Afghanistan
Aussies were lifeline at Shah-i-Kot
2002-03-10
  • In the biggest action involving Australian soldiers since the Vietnam War, six Americans died and 11 were wounded, but 36 made it out alive thanks largely to two SAS patrols out of sight in observation posts on ridges high above the battlefield.

    The troops were observing Monday's battle and relaying information to their commanders when an inbound US Chinook helicopter carrying US troops came under attack. One soldier fell from the fleeing machine and the Aussies watched in horror as he was dragged off by Al-Qaeda fighters and shot. Soon after, a second chopper, sent in to rescue the man, was forced down by enemy fire and a heavy gun battle broke out.

    For the 36 American survivors, including 11 seriously wounded, the only hope was air strikes and the only people in a position to call them in were the SAS soldiers. For hours the highly trained troops, who endured altitude sickness, hypothermia and temperatures of minus 19 degrees identified groups of Al-Qaeda fighters. Using GPS satellite navigation systems and range finders, they radioed fighter jets directly with deadly accurate targeting information on the enemy's location. Later that evening more SAS troops joined a rescue mission and flew in the dark in helicopters under sustained enemy fire to rescue the 36 survivors and take out the dead.
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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