By Patrick Gower
All 10 of the New Zealand soldiers who've now died on duty in Afghanistan are special. But among the latest three is an element that's unique.
When 26-year-old Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker died in yesterday's explosion, she became the first New Zealand female soldier to die in combat.
Not since Vietnam has a New Zealand woman died in action, and she was a civilian nurse.
Thirty-one-year-old year old Corporal Luke Tamatea had 12 years in the army, and four young children.
With Cpl Tamatea and L/Cpl Baker in the Humvee that blew up was 21-year-old was Private Richard Harris, another family man.
All three were family really, from the same regiment based at Burnham Military Camp, 28km south of Christchurch. There this evening a flag was lowered to half-mast in salute.
Earlier today the Defence Force revealed more details about the attack that killed the three of them.
Cpl Tamatea's children are used to him coming home safely, like when he got back from the relief effort after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami; a Kawerau boy, with a grieving whanau.
"He phoned me about a week ago and said, 'Don't worry about me nana,'" says Lorraine O'Brien, his grandmother. "They were his last words to me. We've been hoping [Prime Minister] John Key would send them back after the last few days, 'cause he was with the guys who died."
"All three were killed immediately," says Defence Force chief Lt General Rhys Jones.
"Every time I get a phone call from the Minister of Defence or [Lt Gen Jones] about this, it's a gut-wrenching experience," says Mr Key.
The latest attack happened in the dangerous north-eastern area of the Bamiyan region around Do Abe just 10km from the fatal firefight two weeks ago.
A convoy of four Humvees were returning to Romero base from Do Abe. At 9:21am the last vehicle was hit by an IED in what's described as a "massive explosion".
The Humvees were being used instead of the army's LAVs, which have heavier armour.
"The capacity of this bomb would've torn apart any vehicle on it," says Mr Key. "Over 20 kilos of explosives, as we understand it, so this was a very significant bomb."
The Taliban have claimed responsibility," saying, "We'll show you that no part of Afghanistan is safe."
It is just 15 days since L/Cpls Rory Malone and Pralli Duller were killed in a firefight. That happened as the insurgents tried to protect their bomb maker – it is believed he got away, and could be responsible for this.
"He's probably still out there," says Lt Gen Jones.
The bodies will be returned to New Zealand later this week, with funeral dates to be set.
Mr Key has ruled out the return of the SAS troops in a full-scale combat role, but he isn't ruling out a small number returning to help with what he's calling "planning and logistics" roles.
3 News