http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/spe...li-kot-offensive/story-fnhnv0wb-1226607116730
AUSTRALIA'S special operations command will receive the first army battle honour since the end of the Vietnam War for their efforts in the same conflict that saw Ben Roberts-Smith awarded the Victoria Cross.
During a five-week joint operation at remote Taliban stronghold Shah Wali Kot in 2010, Australian forces were surprised by up to 100 insurgents who were providing security for a meeting of senior Taliban commanders.
It was during that 13-hour day of fighting that Corporal Roberts-Smith's bravery delivered him the Victoria Cross for exposing his position during a heavy gun battle and ultimately charging at two machine gunners who were firing at his patrol.
Two soldiers - an Australian and an Afghan - were wounded in the firefight that took a heavy toll on the insurgents.
The entire Special Air Service Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment will now be awarded the battle honour for their actions during the Shah Wali Kot offensive of May and June of 2010.
Taliban networks suffered a major blow through the insurgent deaths and the confiscation of a massive cache of weapons, including heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the battle honour, entitled Eastern Shah Wali Kot, recognised the "incredible bravery and courage shown during the intense conflict''.
It will be presented later this year to both regiments under revised guidelines that acknowledge the way the Army fights in the modern era.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith acknowledged the efforts made by all elements of the Special Operations Task Group, including engineers, signallers, logisticians and headquarters support staff, as well as the United States 101st Airborne Division.
Defence will now examine all army engagements since the Vietnam War to determine whether more are eligible for formal recognition under the new guidelines.
A battle honour is an award to a military unit in recognition of outstanding performance. It allows the unit to emblazon its flag with the battle name.
AUSTRALIA'S special operations command will receive the first army battle honour since the end of the Vietnam War for their efforts in the same conflict that saw Ben Roberts-Smith awarded the Victoria Cross.
During a five-week joint operation at remote Taliban stronghold Shah Wali Kot in 2010, Australian forces were surprised by up to 100 insurgents who were providing security for a meeting of senior Taliban commanders.
It was during that 13-hour day of fighting that Corporal Roberts-Smith's bravery delivered him the Victoria Cross for exposing his position during a heavy gun battle and ultimately charging at two machine gunners who were firing at his patrol.
Two soldiers - an Australian and an Afghan - were wounded in the firefight that took a heavy toll on the insurgents.
The entire Special Air Service Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment will now be awarded the battle honour for their actions during the Shah Wali Kot offensive of May and June of 2010.
Taliban networks suffered a major blow through the insurgent deaths and the confiscation of a massive cache of weapons, including heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the battle honour, entitled Eastern Shah Wali Kot, recognised the "incredible bravery and courage shown during the intense conflict''.
It will be presented later this year to both regiments under revised guidelines that acknowledge the way the Army fights in the modern era.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith acknowledged the efforts made by all elements of the Special Operations Task Group, including engineers, signallers, logisticians and headquarters support staff, as well as the United States 101st Airborne Division.
Defence will now examine all army engagements since the Vietnam War to determine whether more are eligible for formal recognition under the new guidelines.
A battle honour is an award to a military unit in recognition of outstanding performance. It allows the unit to emblazon its flag with the battle name.
