RIP CORPORAL CAMERON BAIRD MG

he SOTG and the Afghan “Rest in peace fi ne soldier and rest in the Provincial Response Company knowledge that we will honour you through were conducting a partnered our pledge to continue the mission here in operation to disrupt an insurgent Afghanistan.” Tnetwork operating in the Khod Valley, which His patrol and commanding offi cer, Major was known to have direct infl uences on P, described Corporal Baird as a mentor and insurgent activity in Uruzgan province. role model. During the engagement, another “Cam Baird is and will always be one of the Australian special-forces soldier and a Royal most inspiring leaders of men within the 2nd Australian Air Force airman operating with Commando Regiment. There isn’t one of us the Joint Terminal Attack Control Team were who wouldn’t follow Cam into any combat also wounded. situation,” Major P said. Members of the patrol provided “Although Cam has left us in person, he immediate fi rst aid to the casualties who will forever be a part of this company. were aero-medically evacuated to the Role 2 “His moral, physical and mental standards Medical Facility at Multi National Base - Tarin provide a guiding light for each of us to Kot, but despite best efforts, Corporal Baird follow. He will never be forgotten.” could not be saved. A member of the 2nd Commando Corporal Cameron Baird MG was Once the initial close-quarter battle fi nally farewelled in a moving funeral Regiment based at Holsworthy Barracks, New had ended, Lance Corporal Baird led his South Wales, Corporal Baird was on his fi fth service, attended by Chief of Defence team forward and began room-by-room Force General David Hurley, Chief of Army tour in Afghanistan and had also served in clearances, where he was again engaged by Lieutenant General David Morrison and Iraq and East Timor. several enemy. Special Operations Commander Australia Cameron Baird, survived by his parents, Throughout the action, Lance Corporal Major General Gus Gilmore, at the Reedy brother and partner, was born in Burnie, Baird displayed conspicuous gallantry, Creek Baptist Church on the Gold Coast, Tasmania, in 1981. composure and superior leadership under He joined the Army in January 2000 and, fi re. He was personally responsible for killing Queensland, on 5 July. upon completion of initial employment several enemy combatants during the th training, was posted to the then 4 Battalion clearance, ensuring the momentum of the (Commando), The Royal Australian Regiment, assault was maintained, and undoubtedly nd now the 2 Commando Regiment, in preventing further members of his section February 2000. from becoming casualties. Corporal Baird was an outstanding special- On 25 June 2013, members of the Special forces soldier who exemplifi ed what it meant Operations Task Group, the wider Australian to be a commando, living by the attributes of contingent and ISAF partners farewelled uncompromising spirit and honour, which in Corporal Cameron Baird in a solemn Service turn earned him the unconditional respect of Remembrance and ramp ceremony at of his fellow commandos. Multi National Base - Tarin Kot. Corporal Baird’s leadership in action was He was remembered by his mates and the exemplary, constantly inspiring those around SOTG as a modest yet inspirational leader him to achieve greater things. He was an and a true modern-day warrior. extremely dedicated and disciplined soldier, Commanding Offi cer SOTG Lieutenant always striving for excellence in everything Colonel J said, “Cam, you were a soldier of the he did. highest order, one never to shy from battle”. Corporal Baird died how he lived – at the front, giving his all, without indecision. For his actions during close-quarters combat in Afghanistan in November 2007, then Lance Corporal Baird was awarded the Medal for Gallantry. His citation says in part that during a Commando Company mission to clear and search a Taliban stronghold, Lance Corporal CONSUMATE Baird’s platoon came under heavy fi re and, during the ensuing close-range fi refi ght, a member of his team was mortally wounded. Displaying complete disregard for his PROFESSIONAL own safety, Lance Corporal Baird led other members of his team forward under heavy Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird MG was killed fi re from machine guns and assault rifl es to in action on 22 June 2013 while operating as recover the wounded team member. He then re-entered the compound and a member of the Special Operations Task Group continued to engage the enemy. Even in Afghanistan. though under constant fi re, Lance Corporal Baird continually moved among his team members coordinating their fi re, and throwing grenades to neutralise the enemy machine-gun positions.

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