12-16-2004, 22:07
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#1
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Kia ora, bro
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 931
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Well done, lads!
Secret NZ soldiers win US honours
17.12.04
By MARTIN JOHNSTON and JULIET ROWAN
New Zealand's top military unit, the Special Air Service, has been honoured by US President George W. Bush for its involvement in the war in Afghanistan.
The New Zealand Government last night confirmed that the secretive SAS unit received a unit citation and a personal commendation for its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kelly, from the United States.
The Government has been tight-lipped about SAS involvement in the conflict.
Defence Force press officer Commander Sandy McKie last night confirmed that President Bush presented the citation to the SAS. She said Colonel Kelly received it in San Diego.
Helen Clark's spokesman, Mike Munro, said the Defence Force told the Prime Minister's office about the award a week ago. He did not know whether she planned to make a public announcement.
The LawFuel.com website reported that President Bush gave the award on December 7 in recognition of the SAS contribution to the American-led war in Afghanistan.
LawFuel, an independent international news service for lawyers run from New Zealand, said the unit citation was given by President Bush to members of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, consisting of units from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Germany and Norway.
Helen Clark said in March that an SAS unit would carry out direct action and long-range reconnaissance missions during a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
She said in the first week of April that up to 50 SAS troops had gone to Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister has consistently refused to reveal the scope of SAS activity in Afghanistan. But documents leaked from Defence Force headquarters in May said the troops would take part in combat missions under the control of American forces.
Their activities would include quick strikes and other small-scale offensive operations. They would also engage in raids, ambushes, direct assaults, attacks from the air, ground or sea, guide "precision weaponry", and conduct independent sabotage and "anti-ship" operations.
The SAS troops would help American forces to assess enemy activities, secure data on particular areas and engage in post-strike reconnaissance.
A little more information about the SAS unit came when two of its soldiers were wounded in Afghanistan in June during a pre-dawn raid with other forces. A unit commander revealed that the forces were operating on their own in and were "a long, long way from the normal conventional forces".
Mr Munro said it was unlikely President Bush's award would result in more information being revealed.
National Party defence spokesman John Carter said he did not know about the award, but it came as no surprise.
"They are outstanding individuals who have done us proud," he said. It was great that another country had recognised their contribution.
The Green Party's defence spokesman, Keith Locke, said the award put the Government in an embarrassing position. It highlighted New Zealand's involvement in a "dirty war" fought alongside American troops.
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I'm very pleased about this.
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"That block was already messed up."
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Huey14 is offline
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12-16-2004, 22:22
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#2
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DFW Texas Area
Posts: 4,741
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Here Here !!!
Congrats out to them !!!
Hell, it took 30 years before some of our own US units received recognition for what we did (SOG).
I say stand PROUD and 'ta hell with those that consider this a "Dirty War" !! Hell, all wars are dirty to those that have to fight them !! I find it less than amusing and even less HONORABLE, that the ones that squabble about and belittle those that are conducting the "War" are those that are so GUTLESS that they wouldn't/couldn't defend themselves from those that the Courageous are prosecuiting !!!
Huey, please let your fellow countrymen know, that MANY of us would stand by them ANY DAY !!!
Many Thanks for the info !!
Martin
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Martin sends.
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Ambush Master is offline
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12-16-2004, 22:30
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#3
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Asset
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: California
Posts: 39
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ambush Master
Congrats out to them !!!
Hell, it took 30 years before some of our own US units received recognition for what we did (SOG).
I say stand PROUD and 'ta hell with those that consider this a "Dirty War" !! Hell, all wars are dirty to those that have to fight them !! I find it less than amusing and even less HONORABLE, that the ones that squabble about and belittle those that are conducting the "War" are those that are so GUTLESS that they wouldn't/couldn't defend themselves from those that the Courageous are prosecuiting !!!
Huey, please let your fellow countrymen know, that MANY of us would stand by them ANY DAY !!!
Many Thanks for the info !!
Martin
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I second that, I have the pleasure of knowing a few people who served with the kiwis in the stan and they all said that they were soldiers of excellent caliber and ability. This recognition is definitely an honor they should wear proudly.
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Audaces fortuna juvat
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BearFlag is offline
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12-17-2004, 02:07
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#4
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Kia ora, bro
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 931
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The funny thing is, I doubt they would have had much recognition from our own governenment. They seem to treat the military as something to be simply tolerated, and a nesercerry evil. Which is obviously the wrong idea. I'm not in on the inner working of the SAS though so I could be wrong.
The last sentance I think the reporter threw in as a joke, since that's all the Green Party is. They don't have a leader, because that would be putting one person over the other. So they have "Co-Leaders".
You know the funniest thing though? We've heard more info about the SAS in the Ghan from the White House than our own govt! LOL.
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"You destroyed half a city block!"
"That block was already messed up."
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Huey14 is offline
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12-17-2004, 08:05
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#5
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Bladesmith to the Quiet Professionals
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Oregon, Land of the Silver Grey Sunsets
Posts: 3,886
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ambush Master
Congrats out to them !!!
Hell, it took 30 years before some of our own US units received recognition for what we did (SOG).
I say stand PROUD and 'ta hell with those that consider this a "Dirty War" !! Hell, all wars are dirty to those that have to fight them !! I find it less than amusing and even less HONORABLE, that the ones that squabble about and belittle those that are conducting the "War" are those that are so GUTLESS that they wouldn't/couldn't defend themselves from those that the Courageous are prosecuiting !!!
Huey, please let your fellow countrymen know, that MANY of us would stand by them ANY DAY !!!
Many Thanks for the info !!
Martin
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What Ambush Master says! Good job Guys!
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Bill Harsey is offline
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12-17-2004, 08:33
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#6
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Consigliere
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland (at last)
Posts: 8,836
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Smashing! Brilliant! Or whatever you lads say down under! 
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Roguish Lawyer is offline
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12-17-2004, 08:35
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#7
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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Attack Force Z! Good job.
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Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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12-17-2004, 10:07
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#8
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Finland
Posts: 400
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Who Dares Wins
Btw, what color is the boathouse at Hereford or should i say Auckland in this case...
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RECON - Always a step ahead
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