After The Blast

Garth Callender
Credit: ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Garth Callender was the Australian Army's first serious casualty of the Iraq war. He has written a book about his experiences: “After The Blast: An Australian Officer In Iraq And Afghanistan”, published by Black Inc.

Recently, he told his story to Sarah Kanowski of the ABC.

“I recall reaching up & feeling over my head & was somewhat relieved to find I didn’t have a hole in my head.”

Podcast available at:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/07/08/4269568.htm / patrol sniper car bomb light armoured vehicle armored type 1 gun car driver periscope Kevlar turret situationally aware threat level suicide vehicle gunner personnel carrier force munition fuse detonating cord artillery round remote control mortar high explosive survive attack first aid bandage traumatic amputation loss of blood Camp Victory Route Irish recovery Garth returned conflict zones Afghanistan suffered severe injuries armoured vehicle driving Iraq target roadside bomb IED improvised explosive device fully recovered returned to Baghdad second-in-command Australian Army's security detachment volunteered lead weapons intelligence team Afghanistan flown in blast zones helicopter attacks work identify insurgents responsible bombs wife Crystal return to danger After The Blast An Australian Officer In Iraq And Afghanistan Black Inc Garth Callender regular Australian Army distinguished career served Iraq Afghanistan rank of major weapons technical intelligence trained soldiers raw recruits deployment Australian technology company developing detect concealed explosives troops KAIA-N base Afghanistan body armour RAAF flight Kabul coalition troops Australians showered with twisted metal shrapnel fragments armored vehicle flats blast-proof ballistic goggles body armour armor Helmand /