Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

[minux]

From ADF Media Release

Following agreement with the family, the Australian Defence Force today released the name of the Australian soldier who died as a result of a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan yesterday.

Trooper David Pearce, 41 was posted to the Brisbane-based 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment in October 2006. He was serving with the Reconstruction Task Force when he died.

Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, extended their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Trooper Pearce.

“Though no words can ease their loss and grief at this very sad time, I hope the knowledge that they are in the thoughts and prayers of so many Australians will be a source of comfort for them.

“Trooper Pearce was a highly professional, skilled and dedicated soldier. His comrades remember him as a loyal and reliable friend, ever willing to put the needs of others before his own.

“He died while serving his nation and his sacrifice will never be forgotten. This loss is felt by all members of the Defence community,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

Trooper Pearce was born in Liverpool, New South Wales, and enlisted in the Australian Army Reserve in 2002. Following a period of Reserve service he transferred to the Australian Regular Army in July 2006.

Trooper Pearce had previous operational experience having deployed to the Solomon Islands with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Queensland Regiment in 2005-2006.

Trooper Pearce is survived by his wife and two children who have requested that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.

[minux]

My thoughts go out to this troopers family.

If my legs could handle, i'd hand over my left nut just to re-enlist to get over to these places. Just love how they use women and children to stop soldiers firing back. I know personally i would not have hesitated to drop every single civilian around the bomber to take him out.

[Cobez]

If my balls could handle i'd en-list and go over and kick some rear end!!!

Condolences to his family and friends.

But much respect to him fighting for the rest of us.

R.I.P

[Jecs]

i heard this before, f**k its sad.

My thoughts go out to this troopers family.

If my legs could handle, i'd hand over my left nut just to re-enlist to get over to these places. Just love how they use women and children to stop soldiers firing back. I know personally i would not have hesitated to drop every single civilian around the bomber to take him out.

hey minux, how long were you in the army for? and what happen to ur legs?

[minux]

i heard this before, f**k its sad.




hey minux, how long were you in the army for? and what happen to ur legs?

Almost 6 years, we were doing continuation training and i broke both my legs, i was unable to run long distances once fixed due to muscular damage caused by surgery and the breaks so i was med class 4 out of there. I was shattered as my second tour of E.T was coming up too.

[Cobez]

Jeeeesus..........

[fabz]

i would not have hesitated to drop every single civilian around the bomber to take him out.

I would say if you needed to do this your a pretty **** shot and shouldnt be in the army in the first place hahaha. Its sad that this war continues, but i think Australia did the right thing to go over and help out. My dads in the navy and hes itching to go over but he just completed 6yrs at sea so its a desk job for him haha

[Garth]

he gave his life in defending this country against terror attacks. for that i thank him. im the same as minux, if i could re-inlist i would, unforutnatly my knee wont permit me ive been medcat 6 out of the navy unfit for naval military service.

his kids can be proud. his wife can be proud.

[bradcad]

lest we forget, mate

[minux]

I would say if you needed to do this your a pretty **** shot and shouldnt be in the army in the first place hahaha. Its sad that this war continues, but i think Australia did the right thing to go over and help out. My dads in the navy and hes itching to go over but he just completed 6yrs at sea so its a desk job for him haha

Right...i guess my shoots at ASAAM were because of bad marksmanship, i guess receiving my cross rifles after 14 months was a bad shoot, i also guess that passing the courses i needed to pass to get into support company for a specific role were a fluke as well, or maybe going to East Timor in the role i did was because i was a bad shot.

My point was, if civilians are in the way, drop them, they are a tactical target, if they want to be play with the bad boys, they should expect a bullet between their eyes for doing so.

[88GreenVN]

I'm suprised we have not lost alot more people to the war.

Sad day for his family.

[minux]

I'm suprised we have not lost alot more people to the war.

Sad day for his family.

The Australian Army is one of the best trained multi skilled armies of the world. We follow strict laws and our discipline in the field is second to none.
There isn't many forces in the world in where you can drop a SC then the 2ic and still go on.

This is why tragedies like this hit even harder, because we do lose so few soldiers.

[AttaBoy]

People who fight and die for this country are heroes. They are the ones who deserve the utmost respect - not those who are up in the government sitting on their asses all day long sipping coffee.

He died trying, he did it for his family and his country, he will be remembered for a long time to come.

[88GreenVN]

Right...i guess my shoots at ASAAM were because of bad marksmanship, i guess receiving my cross rifles after 14 months was a bad shoot, i also guess that passing the courses i needed to pass to get into support company for a specific role were a fluke as well, or maybe going to East Timor in the role i did was because i was a bad shot.

My point was, if civilians are in the way, drop them, they are a tactical target, if they want to be play with the bad boys, they should expect a bullet between their eyes for doing so.

Some people can shoot and some cant. I would have no problem with what you say. Bullet between the eyes for them all.

Minix do you get a prize at the shooting stall when the fair is in town. Those duck are very easy to hit and so close as well.

[fabz]

WoW thats like saying i had my full open licence at 17, have done a 3 day driving course with Ian Luff, competed in 2 NT out back rallies, worked hand in hand with NT's Bad News Drag Racing team and was apart of a track team for the first V8 super cars in Darwin and that makes me the best driver on the road.....hahaha relax man i was kidding im sure back in the day you were a good shot. The only thing i will say bad about ADF is that they offer medals way to easily. I have mate that were offered medals for driving HMAS Jervis Bay across to East Timor and they didnt even set foot on land over there. They thought it was a bit of a joke and i agree. I always thought the Chinese army was the best in the world? Or at least the largest?

Right...i guess my shoots at ASAAM were because of bad marksmanship, i guess receiving my cross rifles after 14 months was a bad shoot, i also guess that passing the courses i needed to pass to get into support company for a specific role were a fluke as well, or maybe going to East Timor in the role i did was because i was a bad shot.

My point was, if civilians are in the way, drop them, they are a tactical target, if they want to be play with the bad boys, they should expect a bullet between their eyes for doing so.

[Sweetas_VT_SS]

The Australian Army is one of the best trained multi skilled armies of the world.

This is why tragedies like this hit even harder, because we do lose so few soldiers.

My thoughts exactly, correct me if I am wrong but isn't this the first Australian soldier killed in combat over there since the post 9/11 action.

If so, then although its a tragedy, it does say something about our Armed forces...

[kasem]

shouldnt have been there in the first place......
hes family must be shatterd.....

[minux]

My thoughts exactly, correct me if I am wrong but isn't this the first Australian soldier killed in combat over there since the post 9/11 action.

If so, then although its a tragedy, it does say something about our Armed forces...

Second, an SAS soldier was killed in afghanistan.

shouldnt have been there in the first place......
hes family must be shatterd.....

Why shouldnt he have been, he joined the army, he was doing what army does. Why do people say soldiers shouldn't be there? Most soldiers would kill to be in a live war zone, its why you join...if not then you should be out of there because put simply, you cant trust someone that isn't willing to die for their country on patrol.

[Jecs]

you cant trust someone that isn't willing to die for their country on patrol.

exactly right. a person that is willing to die for their contry is the person that might save you in combat.

[Sweetas_VT_SS]

Second, an SAS soldier was killed in afghanistan.

Slain Digger David Pearce leaves wife and kids behind | NEWS.com.au
It says he was the first in "direct enemy action".

[minux]

Slain Digger David Pearce leaves wife and kids behind | NEWS.com.au
It says he was the first in "direct enemy action".

Well yeh, the SAS guy died because the vehicle rolled.

[Low_VX_Taxi]

I was told by one of my mates the Aussie grunts receive the same level of training as the American special forces.... prob wrong but I believe it was in the paper that the Aussie low level soldiers are amongst the best trained in the world, the Americans the best armed and the Chinese the most numerous.... again I could be wrong so correct me where needed...

[fabz]

Well yeh, the SAS guy died because the vehicle rolled.

So he died in a car crash... thats gotta suck. Still gets a tax payer funded send off, and his wife will get a massive pay out i think but i spose it doesn’t compare. The gov will pay you out $$ for almost everything when your in the defence. I still think everyone needs to do 4yrs once out of school and make it mandatory.

[Low_VX_Taxi]

So he died in a car crash... thats gotta suck. Still gets a tax payer funded send off, and his wife will get a massive pay out i think but i spose it doesn’t compare. The gov will pay you out $$ for almost everything when your in the defence. I still think everyone needs to do 4yrs once out of school and make it mandatory.

Most other countries do have compulsary service, I know Turkey does.....My Cousin in law's husband was enlisted and said it was gr8 and did alot for his disipline BUT you can skip it if you go straight to Uni.... I think this kinda policy would work wonders with todays youth.....

[Sweetas_VT_SS]

I still think everyone needs to do 4yrs once out of school and make it mandatory.

I dont think it should be manditory at all. There are some people out there that physically could not handle even just the recruiting stage.

I think they should relax the requirements a little and I am sure they will bump the numbers up. I have been knocked back twice from the Air Force. 1st time was cause I had not done enough research. (I was 17) then again 2 years ago when I fell under the height weight restrictions. (I was 4kg to light), yet I can benchpress my own body weight?? go figure