The Sydney family is mourning the loss of their son.

Trooper Jason Brown killed in Afghanistan.

His death brings the number of soldiers who have died since the war began to 18.

Trooper Brown, the son of a Vietnam vet, died in a gun battle with insurgents.

He was 29.

Trooper Jason Brown was on his first tour of duty to Afghanistan.

He died serving the country he loved.

It is with deep regret that I inform you this morning

that an Australian soldier serving with the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan

has been killed in action overnight.

Trooper Brown and his unit were patrolling last night in northern Kandahar

when they encountered a group of insurgents in the gun battle that followed he was shot several

times. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of his mates and the coalition medical staff,

the soldier died from his limbs. The 29-year-old was born in Sydney and dreamed of a military career.

His parents and sister were told of his death this morning.

We cannot ease their grief anymore than we can repay his sacrifice.

Defence Minister John Faulkner said the past few months had been a time of increasing

danger for Australian troops in the war zone.

Eighteen Australian soldiers have now tragically been killed in action in Afghanistan.

Seven of those died this year.

The nation I believe will mourn the loss of Trooper Brown today.

I convey our sympathy and condolences to his friends and family.

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