The Defence force has been rocked by more Australian casualties in Afghanistan, with one soldier killed and two others badly injured in a road-side bombing.
Signaller Sean McCarthy was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, but has now become the sixth and youngest Australian to die fighting in the country.
At just 25-years-old, he had been in the army for seven years, joining the special forces in 2007.
The Defence Chief, Air Mashall Angus Houston, says he was highly experienced and in the past was commended for his bravery under fire.
"On his previous tour in Afghanistan, he was recognised by the special operations commander for his courage and mission focus, including a specific commendation for maintaining his presence of mind and excellent soldier's skills while in contact with the enemy," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
"Signaller McCarthy was an experienced, highly skilled and professional soldier.
"He was very well respected by his comrades and will be sorely missed by his many friends."
Two other Australians and a third person were in the same patrol car, they're all recovering in serious by stable conditions.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd heard the news in Japan and says the loss is nothing short of a tragedy.
"My thoughts, my prayers - and the deepest thoughts and prayers of the Australian people - go to his family."
Mr Rudd said the situation in war-torn Afghanistan remained a difficult, dangerous and bloody operation.
"We've had losses before, my fear is we will lose them again."
Shadow Defence Minister Nick Minchin agrees the situation in Afghanistan is dangerous, but the battle against the Taliban is one worth fighting.
“Australians should remember at all times that the terrorists who were involved in the massacre of Australians in Bali were trained in Afghanistan by terrorist cells,” he said.
“This is not a country we want to see go back to the Taliban, become a nation state that supports international terrorist activities.”
Photo: The Daily Telegraph