Time Magazine and Aussie SAS

I received this email from Defence Media this evening.

Time Magazine has today published an article regarding SAS operations in Afghanistan in 2002. Our Special Forces in Afghanistan operated under strict Rules of Engagement, and these included the specific and discriminatory use of force in order to achieve their missions. These rules include and always retain the inherent right of our soldiers to defend themselves and their fellow soldiers if threatened. It is Defence’s policy to not disclose the detail of classified operational activities, in order to preserve operational security and the safety of ADF members and their families, as well as to protect Defence capabilities and procedures. However, in light of the Time Magazine article and having regard to the fact that the action in question was completed over three years ago, Defence can confirm the following: As briefed at the time, a SAS patrol was engaged in a contact in May 2002. A larger SAS force coming to its assistance was also involved in the broader action, after being fired upon. These tactical actions were reviewed after the incident and were determined by Army to be in accordance with the Rules of Engagement. Each Australian element that opened fire, or called in fire, did so in response to direct threats to their safety. Some internal aspects of Patrol K3 were investigated fully at the time and appropriate disciplinary action initiated.

Time may have published the article today but as yet I can’t find it at their website. Maybe the story will be released after midnight. If this is Defence’s answer then the article must be another attack on the poor old soldier. Maybe a Trooper spoke harshly to the enemy. UPDATE: I finally got a link on the story sent to me by Regimental contacts. The Australian quotes the Time article here Summary: Guys are in ambush…armed man approaches appears to ready to use weapon..is shot. Weapon and head gear collected. SOP so far. Other locals start shooting…patrol calls for back up…airstrike…some more killed. Years later a journalist says their civilians.

After the incident, according to the patrol leader quoted by Time, the trooper who found the trophies paraded the dead man’s turban.

Is this a crime? What did he do? I’ve picked gear up and showed it to others. I’ve carried captured weapons and equipment out of the contact area….is this parading dead men’s gear? Must be more to it than this trivia.

When it was confiscated, the accused Australian trooper and three other SAS men on the patrol complained to senior officers that the leader had made poor decisions under fire and put men at risk.

Sounds like a bit of bickering between fired up troops and it makes Time Magazine. How desparate are the MSM to fault the military.

The patrol leader denied the claims, but the major commanding Three Squadron, Vance Khan, segregated the whole patrol and took its members off operational duties.

Yeah, whatever.