According to coalition forces officials, a NATO-led Australian helicopter made an emergency landing in southern Afghanistan on Friday while providing combat support operations, injuring an Australian service member.

The Ch-47 Chinook helicopter made an emergency landing at the Coalition Force Patrol Base in Kandahar province while the aircraft was transporting personnel and equipment.

Major General Stuart Smith Commander of Joint Task Force 633 quoted by ABC Online said the Australian service member sustained minor injuries and will return to work shortly.

He said, “One of the aircrew was injured and has been treated on site. All other personnel onboard underwent precautionary health checks following the incident.”

Major General Smith also said a damage assessment and recovery team went to the site of the hard landing.

The teams have secured the Chinook in its location and an investigation into the hard landing is underway he said adding that the extent of the damage to the aircraft is being assessed.

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