An army major who planned an "unprecedented operation" targeting a rogue Afghan soldier who shot dead three Australian diggers in an insider attack has been honoured.
The Australian soldier, known as Major G, was awarded the bar to the distinguished service medal for his "superior planning and outstanding tactical acumen" during the operation to capture Afghan National Army soldier Sergeant Hekmatullah.
Hekmatullah killed Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, Sapper James Martin and Private Robert Poate when he turned on his allies while they were playing cards and opened fire with a machine gun.
Two other men were injured in the insider attack.
Following intelligence from Australian officials, Hekmatullah was caught in Pakistan in 2013 and deported to Afghanistan to face trial.
Major G is one of 19 defence personnel who served on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan to be honoured with military awards this Australia Day.
Among them are men who saved fellow soldiers by engaging the enemy under fire, mentored Afghan army partners, provided medical aid to soldiers in battle and helped intercept narcotics in the Persian Gulf.
More than 30,000 defence members were deployed to Operation Slipper - Australia's involvement in Afghanistan war - from 2001 until last year.
A commemorative day for the 40 soldiers killed and 260 wounded on Operation Slipper will be held in March.
OTHER OPERATION SLIPPER AWARD RECIPIENTS
* Lance Corporal M to receive the medal for gallantry for repeatedly manoeuvring to engage the enemy while under heavy fire with "disregard for his own safety".
* Colonel Wade Bradley Stothart AM to receive the distinguished service cross for leadership in a complex and hostile environment to achieve "extraordinary results" against the insurgency.
* Commodore Daryl Wayne Bates AM RAN to receive the distinguished service medal for regional leadership and capacity building efforts in counter terrorism and narcotics operations.
* Lieutenant Commander Andrew Richard Hough RAN to receive commendation for distinguished service for leadership and courage in planning counter piracy and narcotic operations.
* Major S to receive the bar to the distinguished service medal for disrupting an insurgency through his superior tactical acumen.
© AAP 2024
