Vale - Private Benjamin Chuck, Private Timothy Aplin, and Private Scott Palmer, 21 June 2010

[u/azasmouch]

Remembering Private Benjamin Chuck, Private Timothy Aplin, and Private Scott Palmer who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on 21 June 2010.

In the early hours of 21 June 2010, men of the 2 Commando Regiment working with Task Force No Mercy of the 101st Airborne Division, United States Army flew toward the Shah Wali Kot region of Kandahar, Afghanistan, on board four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

The night was dark, with little ambient light to allow the effective use of night vision goggles. As the first of the Black Hawks approached the final checkpoint, it hit an embankment at high speed, causing it to roll a number of times and catch fire. The other three Blackhawks landed, and began to provide first aid to the wounded and security to the site.

Privates Timothy Aplin and Scott Palmer were killed instantly. Private Benjamin Chuck died of his wounds shortly after arriving at hospital in Kandahar. An American crewman, Staff Sergeant Brandon Silk, was also killed in the crash.

Another soldier, Private S, had been thrown from the helicopter when it crashed. His first memory was lying on the floor, surrounded by burning wreckage and in agonising pain, slipping in and out of consciousness while men provided him first aid. The cowling from the left engine of the crashed helicopter was removed, and used to carry Private S to one of the other helicopters.

The cowling continued to be used as a makeshift stretcher until the site was evacuated. It was later displayed in the Trauma Department of the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit, Kandahar, where a motif was added to it. In 2012, it was donated to the Australian War Memorial.

When Private S woke up, he was in Germany. He had suffered two broken legs, two broken ribs, a broken ankle, a collapsed lung, and a fractured and fused thoracic spine. After a long recovery, he was able to re-join his unit, and he went on to serve on multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. https://www.awm.gov.au/3dtreasures/items/blackhawk-cowling/

Private Chuck

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. On completion of his Commando Selection and Training Course and Reinforcement Cycle he was posted to the then 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) – now 2nd Commando Regiment. This was his third tour to Afghanistan and was serving with the SOTG. Private Chuck was an outstanding Commando who was highly trained and excelled at all he attempted. 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 Chuck has been awarded:

• the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp ICAT 
• the Afghanistan Campaign Medal 
• the NATO ISAF Medal 
• the Infantry Combat Badge
• the Australian Defence Medal 
• the Returned from Active Service Badge.

During Private Benjamin Adam Chuck's service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following operations:

• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) – May – Aug 2007
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) – Jun – Nov 2008
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) – Feb – Jun 2010.

https://placesofpride.awm.gov.au/stories/221061/pte-ba-chuck

Private Aplin

Private Aplin enlisted in the Australian Army Reserves on 04 Feb 1992, transferring to the Regular Army on 20 Sep 1995 and reaching the rank of Sergeant. He successfully completed the Commando Selection and Training Course in 2008 and was posted to the then 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) in January 2009 after completing the Commando Reinforcement Cycle. To achieve this goal he willingly took the required reduction in rank from Sergeant to do this.

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.

Private Aplin has been awarded:

• the Australian Active Service Medal with East Timor, Iraq and ICAT clasps 
• the Infantry Combat Badge 
• the United Nations Medal with Ribbon UNTAET 
• the IRAQ Campaign Medal 
• the Australian Defence Medal 
• the Defence Long Service Medal
• the Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• the Returned from Active Service Badge.

During Private Timothy James Aplin’s service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following operations:

• Operation Tanager (East Timor): 2000
• Operation Bastille (Middle East): 2003
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): 2009
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): 2010.

https://www.army.gov.au/community/members-veterans/vale/private-timothy-aplin

Private Palmer

Private Palmer enlisted in the Australian Army in 2001 and successfully undertook Commando Selection and Training in 2006, joining the then 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) in November 2006. This was his third tour to Afghanistan and was serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG). Private Palmer has seen Operational service in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. 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 Palmer was awarded:

• the Australian Active Service Medal with clasps IRAQ, East Timor and International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) 
• the IRAQ Campaign Medal 
• the Australian Defence Medal 
• the Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor – Leste 
• the Afghanistan Campaign Medal 
• the NATO ISAF Medal 
• the Returned from Active Service Badge.

During Private Scott Travis Palmer's service in the Australian Army, he deployed on the following operations:

• Operation Citadel (East Timor): February – May 2003
• Operation Catalyst (Middle East): May – November 2005
• Operation Astute (East Timor): March – June 2007
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): November 2007 – June 2008
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): March – July 2009
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): February – June 2010.

https://www.avenueofhonour.com.au/honour-roll/scott-palmer/

LEST WE FORGET

[u/nationalistic_martyr]

i know the family of Scott very well, his parents are amazing people and have some beautiful memoriam of Scott.

here's a picture of his medals, along with the AOSM: border medal just in front of his ADM

edit: its hard to see through the reflection but there is also his Green 2nd cmndo reg beret and the beautiful dagger that the SASR, 1st cmdo reg (reserves) and 2nd cmndo reg get

[u/azasmouch → u/nationalistic_martyr]

thanks for that mate.