MAY 24, 2011: Defence officials have confirmed the death of another Australian soldier in Afghanistan while five others have been wounded in two separate incidents.

Sergeant Brett Wood was killed in a roadside bombing in Oruzgan Province province last night, while two others are in a serious condition.

Three other soldiers were wounded after being involved in a fire fight with taliban insurgents.

Twenty-four Australian soldiers have now been killed in Afghanistan. Defence Force Chief Angus Houston says Wood was a 'decorated warrior' who was 'happily married'. On behalf of the defence force Houston offered Wood's wife full support.

Statement from Mrs Elvi Wood, the wife of Sergeant Brett Wood:

"On behalf of Brett’s immediate family, his friends and myself - I would like the Australian public to know what a brilliant husband, son, brother, friend and soldier Brett Mathew Wood was.

Brett was extremely proud to be part of the 2nd Commando Regiment and he considered many of his colleagues to be his second family. He was an excellent soldier, a true leader and a friend to all in his unit.

The care and support we have received today from the Defence Force as well as Brett’s colleagues simply reinforces how well respected Brett was.

Brett was a much loved son, grandson and brother who inspired his family with his dedication and generosity. 

I have not only lost my husband, I have lost my best friend. The past six years with him were the happiest of my life and it was the biggest honour ever to become his wife and to be part of his family.

Brett, you have done your country proud and you will always be remembered. 

I love you with all of my heart.  Be in peace now.

We request that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time and provide us with the space to grieve. We will not be making any further comment and thank the media and community for their understanding."

RELATED AUDIO:

Former colleague of Brett Wood with Neil Mitchell

Fathers, sons and brothers, together they fought and died
That we may live in peace together, while at home their mothers cried.
When that final bugle calls them to cross that great divide
Those comrades will be waiting when they reach the other side. 

- Ken Bunker "A Tribute to ANZAC Day"

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WE REMEMBER:

Sergeant Brett Wood- Killed in action May 23, 2011- aged 32

Sergeant Brett Wood, 32, was conducting clearance operations in southern Afghanistan about 11pm AEST yesterday when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, killing him and seriously wounding two others.

Sergeant Wood was awarded the Medal for Gallantry in 2006 after leading a commando team in extremely hazardous circumstances in the Chora Valley.

Sapper Jamie Larcombe- Killed in Action February 19, 2011 - aged  21

Sapper Larcombe was born in Kingscote, South Australia, 1989. Jamie joined the Army in 2008 and successfully completed his recruit and combat engineer basic training in 2008 prior to being posted to the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment based in Darwin.

Described by his army mates as dependable and genuine, whose country upbringing instilled a wisdom that was respected.

Corporal Richard Atkinson- Killed in action, February 2, 2011 - aged 22

Corporal Atkinson was born in Hobart in 1988. He joined the Army in 2007 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and combat engineer basic training prior to being posted to the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment based in Darwin.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 2009 and displayed strong leadership in bringing his section together during their preparation for operations in Afghanistan. His dedication to his section was rewarded with his promotion to Corporal just prior to their deployment.

Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney- Killed in action, August 24, 2010 - aged 28

Twenty-eight-year-old Lance Corporal MacKinney was from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

Lance Corporal MacKinney leaves behind a loving family, his wife who is expecting their second child, and beloved daughter, Annabell. His family is currently receiving support from Defence.

Lance Corporal MacKinney was killed in action during an intense fire-fight with Taliban insurgents on the morning of 24 August (Afghanistan time).

Private Grant Kirby- Killed in action on August 20, 2010 - aged 35

Private Kirby was born in Nambour, Queensland in 1975. He joined the Army in 2006 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and infantry basic training prior to being posted to the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

This was Private Kirby’s first deployment to Afghanistan, although he had deployed previously to East Timor and Iraq.

Private Tomas Dale- Killed in action on August 20, 2010 - aged 21

Twenty-one-year-old Private Dale was from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

Private Dale was born in Lancashire, the United Kingdom in 1989. He immigrated to Australia with his family in 2003 and lived in Adelaide, South Australia.  He joined the Army in 2007 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and infantry basic training prior to being posted to the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. This was Private Dale’s first operational deployment.

Trooper Jason Brown- Killed in action on August 13, 2010 - age 29.

Twenty-nine-year-old Trooper Brown was from the Perth-based Special Air Service Regiment.

Trooper Brown was born in Sydney, NSW in 1981. He joined the Army on 13 June, 2000 and following Recruit and Initial Employment Training, Trooper Brown was posted to the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. 

This was his first tour to Afghanistan, although he had deployed previously on three occasions to East Timor.

Private Nathan Bewes- Killed in action on July 9, 2010 - aged 23

Twenty-three-year-old Private Nathan Bewes was from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

Private Bewes was born in Kogarah, New South Wales in 1986. He joined the Army in 2005 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and infantry basic training prior to being posted to the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. This was his second deployment to the Middle East.

Private Benjamin Adam Chuck- Killed in action on June 21, 2010 - aged 27

Twenty-seven-year-old Private Chuck was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

Private Chuck was born in Atherton, Queensland in 1983. He joined the Army on 11 May, 2004 as part of the Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme.  Private Chuck was the Patrol Medic within his sniper team. He was suited to this role as his affectionate and caring nature drove his passion for helping his mates.

Private Scott Travis Palmer- Killed in action on June 21, 2010 - aged 27

Twenty-seven-year-old Pte Palmer was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

Private Palmer enlisted in the Australian Army in 2001.  his was his third tour to Afghanistan and was serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG).  His professionalism was of the highest order and he excelled at everything he did. Private Palmer loved his job and working alongside his mates.

Private Timothy James Aplin- Killed in action on June 21, 2010 - aged 38

Thirty-eight-year-old Private Aplin was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

Private Aplin was an outstanding and dedicated Commando who was highly respected.  This was his second tour to Afghanistan and he was serving with the SOTG as a team demolitions specialist.

Sapper Darren James Smith, 2ND CER- Killed in action on June 7, 2010 - aged 26

Sapper Smith's military career commenced as part of the Army Reserve enlisting 29 November 2001 and completing recruit training in January 2002, serving as part of 3rd Field Squadron, South Australia.

Sapper Smith has also been awarded the Australian Defence Medal, and was born in Adelaide. 

Sapper Smith’s dog was Herbie, a 3-1/2 year old Collie Cross.

Sapper Jacob Moerland, 2nd CER- Killed in action on June 7, 2010 - aged 21

Sapper Jacob Moerland, 21, was from Brisbane-based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment.

As part of his tour he has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp International Campaign against Terrorism (ICAT), NATO Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Along with the awarding of his AASM.

Private Benjamin Ranaudo- Killed in action on July 18, 2009 - aged 22

1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.  11th Australian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.  He was a member of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force.

He was tragically killed by a bomb when preparing to search a compound north of Tarin Kowt.

Sergeant Brett Till - Killed in action on March 19, 2009 - aged 31

Sergeant Till enlisted in the Australian Army in 2001 and was allocated to the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers following recruit training. Sergeant Till trained as a Combat Engineer and served with a number of units, including the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment and the School of Military Engineering.

Brett was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with ICAT clasp, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Australian Defence Medal and NATO ISAF Medal.

Corporal Mathew Hopkins- Killed in action on March 16 2009 - aged 21

Matthew was in the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.  He was the 9th Australian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

  A member of the mentoring and reconstruction taskforce, killed in firefight with Taliban near village, 12 kilometres north of Tarin Kowt.

Private Gregory Michael Sher- Killed in action January 4, 2009 - aged 30

Greogory was in the 1st Commando Regiment, the 8th Australian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

He was South African-born, from the Sydney-based 1st Commando Regiment, killed as a result of indirect rocket attack in Oruzgan Province.

Rifleman Stuart Nash, British 1st Batallion- Killed in action on 17 December 2008 - aged 21

Rifleman Nash was fighting as a member of the British Rifles Regiment.

At the funeral, Brigadier Jeremy Robbins from the British High Commission described Rifleman Nash as a promising young soldier, instantly popular, committed and loyal, with a good sense of humour.

The young Australian had only finished his training with the British Army three months before his death.

Lieutenant Michael Fussell- Killed in action on November 27, 2008 - aged 25

4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, the 7th Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

He was killed during an operation against Taliban insurgents in Oruzgan Province after an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated.

Signaller Sean McCarthy- Killed in action on July 8, 2008 - aged 25

 A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), the 6th Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

He was killed after wounded by improvised explosive device. Two other Australian soldiers and one soldier from another country wounded. Signaller McCarthy was born in New Zealand.

Lance Corporal Jason Marks- Killed in action on April 27, 2008 - aged 27

Part of the 4RAR commando unit, the 5th Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

He was killed in battle with Taliban fighters in Oruzgan Province. Four other commandos wounded.

Private Luke Worsley- Killed in action on November 23, 2007 - aged 26

 Part of the Special Operations Task Group, the 4th Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Killed by small arms fire while participating in a planned and deliberate attack by our forces against Taliban leaders and their supporters in Oruzgan Province.

Sergeant Matthew Locke- Killed in action on October 25, 2007 - aged 33

He was a Special Air Service Regiment, the 3rd Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

He was also killed by Taliban fighters in Oruzgan Province.

Trooper David Pearce- Killed in action on October 8, 2007 - aged 41

 A member of the Reconstruction Task Force, the 2nd Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

He was killed and another soldier seriously injured in roadside bomb attack in Oruzgan Province.

Sergeant Andrew Russell- Killed in action on February 16, 2002 - aged 33

A member of the Special Forces Task Group, the 1st Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

He was Killed when the vehicle in which he was travelling struck a landmine in southern Afghanistan.