Article Posted on : - Jul 16, 2010

A file photo of CH-47 Chinook helicopter

SYDNEY (BNS): An Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter was fired upon by insurgents as it was taking off from a coalition patrol base in the Arghandab Valley region of Kandahar on Thursday.

Two coalition forces soldiers on board the helicopter received minor wounds as a result of the attack. There were no Australian personnel wounded in the incident, the Australian Department of Defence said in a release.

The Chinook immediately flew to the Role Three Medical Facility at the Kandahar Air Base where the two coalition forces soldiers are currently being treated for their wounds.

Commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General John Cantwell said the coalition soldiers were provided immediate first aid while en route to the medical facility at the Kandahar Air Base.

The Chinook was supporting an ISAF operation at the time of the attack.

An investigation is currently underway to establish the extent of the damage sustained by the helicopter, the release said.