Digger’s body on way home from Iraq: [2 All-round First Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 24 Apr 2006: 3.
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Abstract
Private Kovco, a highly trained sniper, was a member of the 110- strong, Baghdad-based security detachment protecting Australianofficials.
Private Kovco died in hospital “surrounded by his mates, draped in an Australian flag and with a paratrooper’s beret on his chest as his mates said the Lord’s Prayer”, a statement issued by the Department of Defence said yesterday.
Private Kovco was a member of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), Australia’s only parachute infantry battalion.
Full Text
MILITARY officials were bringing home the body of Australia’s first Iraq war casualty last night as an inquiry was announced into his death.
Private Jake Kovco, a 25-year-old father of two, died from an accidental shot while cleaning his pistol in Baghdad on Friday.
Private Kovco, a highly trained sniper, was a member of the 110- strong, Baghdad-based security detachment protecting Australianofficials.
Private Kovco died in hospital “surrounded by his mates, draped in an Australian flag and with a paratrooper’s beret on his chest as his mates said the Lord’s Prayer”, a statement issued by the Department of Defence said yesterday.
“During his time in Baghdad he demonstrated a high level of devotion to duty and professionalism,” it said.
“He was a valued member of his team and is sorely missed, not only for his skills and professionalism but also as a mate and a comrade in arms.”
Private Kovco is thought to have accidentally shot himself in the head while cleaning his gun. Comrades immediately rushed to his aid and he was taken to the nearby US Army combat surgical hospital, where he died several hours later.
Private Kovco was a member of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), Australia’s only parachute infantry battalion.
During his time in the army Private Kovco served as a rifleman and heavy weapons operator. He grew up in Briagalong in Victoria and was the father of two young children, Tyrie and Alana.
His wife, Shelley, was too distressed to speak publicly yesterday. His distraught father, Martin Kovco, could only say: “He was a lovely bloke.”
Sister Elizabeth Kovco said the family was “very upset”.
His cousin Bobby Kovco said he remembered playing with Private Kovco as a kid.
“He used to look up at me and say, `I’m going to be big like you one day’,” he said. “Jacob was like that. He was a happy bloke. He was all fun, an outdoor kid.”
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said he had spoken to Private Kovco’s widow and invited her to help draft the terms of reference for a military inquiry into her husband’s death.
He told ABC television that Ms Kovco had told him Private Kovco loved his work.
Dr Nelson said yesterday he understood there were two other soldiers in the room at the time of the shot.
“I should inform Australians there was no evidence there was anything other than the accidental firing of the weapon that he was handling,” Dr Nelson said.
Chief of Army Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy has launched an inquiry into the death, which will also be investigated by a coroner.
Army officials are also working on new rules to minimise gun accidents.
He was the first Australian soldier to die in Iraq, although other Australians have been injured in insurgent bombing attacks and in vehicle accidents.
In January last year, Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel, an RAAF- trained C-130 navigator on contract to the RAF, died when his aircraft was shot down north of Baghdad.
In March 2003, ABC cameraman Paul Moran was killed in a suicide car bombing in northern Iraq.
SECOND EDITION:
Iraq soldier died with flag and among mates: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 24 Apr 2006: 5.
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Abstract
Private Kovco died in hospital “surrounded by his mates, draped in an Australian flag and with a paratrooper’s beret on his chest as his mates said the Lord’s Prayer”, a Defence Department statement said yesterday.
He was working in Baghdad as part of the Operation Catalyst Security Detachment (SECDET), which provides protection forAustralian defence and government personnel. During his time in the army, Private Kovco served as a rifleman and heavy weapons operator.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said he had spoken to Private Kovco’s widow and invited her to help draft the terms of reference for a military inquiry into her husband’s death. He said on ABC television that Ms Kovco had told him Private Kovco loved his work.
Full Text
FOUR years ago, Private Jacob “Jake” Kovco realised a lifelong ambition when he joined the army.
Yesterday, the 25-year-old father of two from regional Victoria was named as Australia’s first military casualty in the Iraq war after a shooting accident in his barracks in Baghdad, just one month into his deployment.
Private Kovco died in hospital “surrounded by his mates, draped in an Australian flag and with a paratrooper’s beret on his chest as his mates said the Lord’s Prayer”, a Defence Department statement said yesterday.
“During his time in Baghdad he demonstrated a high level of devotion to duty and professionalism.
“He was a valued member of his team and is sorely missed, not only for his skills and professionalism but also as a mate and a comrade in arms.”
Private Kovco is thought to have accidentally shot himself in the head while cleaning his gun on Friday afternoon. Comrades immediately rushed to his aid and he was taken to the nearby US Army combat surgical hospital, where he died several hours later.
An ADF spokesman confirmed last night that Private Kovco’s body had left Baghdad and was on its way home.
The highly trained sniper was a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), Australia’s only parachute infantry battalion.
He was working in Baghdad as part of the Operation Catalyst Security Detachment (SECDET), which provides protection forAustralian defence and government personnel. During his time in the army, Private Kovco served as a rifleman and heavy weapons operator.
He grew up in Briagolong in Victoria and was the father of two young children, Tyrie and Alana. His wife, Shelley, was too distressed to speak publicly yesterday. His distraught father, Martin Kovco, could only say: “He was a lovely bloke”.
Sister Elizabeth Kovco said the family was “very upset”. His cousin Bobby Kovco said he remembered playing with Jacob as a kid. “He used to look up at me and say, `I’m going to be big like you one day’,” he said. “Jacob was like that. He was a happy bloke. He was all fun, an outdoor kid.”
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said he had spoken to Private Kovco’s widow and invited her to help draft the terms of reference for a military inquiry into her husband’s death. He said on ABC television that Ms Kovco had told him Private Kovco loved his work.
Dr Nelson dismissed any speculation the case might have been a suicide. “I should inform Australians there was no evidence there was anything other than the accidental firing of the weapon that he was handling,” he said.