Posted on 06/14/2007 9:26:44 PM PDT by SandRat
CORPORAL Ray Evans of Darwin's 1st Brigade always knew his son would follow in his footsteps and join the Australian Defence Force.
But he never imagined that his son, Tom, would follow in his footsteps all the way to Iraq.
Corporal Evans, 42, and Trooper Evans, 20, are comrades in arms serving with the Overwatch Battle Group (West)-3 in southern Iraq .
“I guess it’s a classic case of like father, like son,” said Corporal Evans.
Corporal Evans greeted his son when he stepped off a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130 transport aircraft at Ali Air Base in Tallil.
The two warriors smiled and shook hands, sharing a golden moment that few others will ever fully appreciate.
The Darwin-based soldiers are believed to be the first father and son duo to deploy to Operation Catalyst, which is the ADF’s contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq .
Corporal Evans said “I can’t begin to describe how proud I am of my son”.
Trooper Evans, who is an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) driver with Combat Team Sabre, said he is happy that his first deployment is with his father.
“My dad has always been an inspiration, which probably explains why I am in Iraq with the ADF,” he said.
Corporal Evans said his son was always destined to join the ADF.
“When Tom was young and I was a recruit instructor at Kapooka, I used to practice my lesson plans on him by giving him orders and marching him around the backyard,” said Corporal Evans.
Corporal Evans said while Iraq is sometimes a dangerous place, he is comfortable in the knowledge that all members of the battle group are well trained and equipped to get the job done.
Both soldiers will serve in Iraq for the next six months.
Originally from Pakenham in Victoria, the Army-posted Corporal Evans and Trooper Evans to Darwin, which they call their “home way from home”.
OBG(W)-3 comprises about 550 personnel mostly drawn from Darwin’s 1st Brigade and consists of a headquarters, a cavalry squadron and an infantry company equipped with Light Armoured Vehicles and Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles.
OBG(W)-3 is contributing to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.
The Defence contribution to Iraq is named Operation Catalyst. It currently comprises approximately 1450 Australian Defence Force personnel. The battle group is playing a significant and constructive role as part of this commitment.
FR WAR NEWS!Some news for Aussie freepers you won’t get from BBC or whatever lame news network down under ROFL
Kinda reminds me to the end of the book “Starship Troopers” Where you have the Platoon commanded by LT John Rico and his Platoon Sergeant is his father.
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