ADF assistance in evacuation of Kabul begins
The Australian Defence Force is deploying more than 250 personnel to support urgent Australian efforts to evacuate Australian citizens and visa holders from Afghanistan.
CAPTION: A contingent of Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel board a KC-30A multi-role tanker transport at RAAF Base Amberley bound for the Middle East to support evacuation efforts from Afghanistan. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.
A KC-30A departed Amberley today, 16 August 2021, for Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East and will commence refuelling operations in support of the wider US-led operation later this week.
Two C-17A Globemasters will also depart for the Middle East later this week.
The situation in Afghanistan remains highly volatile and dangerous.
Defence says it is taking all necessary precautions to protect its people and those authorised for evacuation.
The mission will be constantly assessed against latest developments.
Australia’s evacuation efforts are being closely coordinated with international partners.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Andrew Gee said this was a distressing time for many Defence personnel and veterans who served our nation in Afghanistan with courage, dignity and honour, and made such a significant contribution to the allied military effort.
“I understand many of those who served our nation in Afghanistan may feel frustrated, concerned and distressed at what is unfolding there,” Minister Gee said.
“My primary concern is the wellbeing of all of our veterans, Defence personnel, here at home and abroad, and their families.
“I have asked the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to contact the families of ADF members who lost their lives in Afghanistan, as well as any veterans the Department is aware of who could suffer adversely as a result of what is currently happening in Afghanistan.
“I encourage anyone who served in Afghanistan to reach out to support services available to them and their families if they need it.
“For those who are not currently registered with DVA, please know that help and support is there for you. Please call DVA if you would like to access services or call Open Arms for counselling support.”
ADF personnel, veterans and their families can call Open Arms 24 hours a day on 1800 011 046.
If you need to talk but don’t want to disclose your name, please call Safe Zone Support which offers anonymous counselling service for ADF personnel, veterans and their families. Its free and available 24/7. You can call 1800 142 072.
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We still have people in-country? The Taliban have been courted by the Chinese, and others. Amazing the press has better intelligence than the Military. The best part is that this all fell into a pile of poop on a weekend, and we need to send someone back to hold the door open at the airport. Well all the Generals were on days off and no-one can make a decision. Sorry we were injecting Covid 19 serum, or knocking on John’s door to make sure he is home. The CDF couldn’t activate units to pull out troops, civilians and diplomats, but he can make decisions to defrock units of awards. He is worse than a Parliamentarian, and we do not put them out when they are on fire, as they lie and deny the truth when it suits them.
Yes, it is their country, but, i doubt they chose the Taliban to run it, the Taliban have just been waiting for this time to simply jump back into the drivers seat and take over..
God go with all the ADF Members,
Keep them safe and bring them home.
I am sure i am in the minority but this is the Afghans sorting themselves out.
We may not like it but it is their country and they have chosen the Taliban.
This is a massive failure for sure but how long do we stay? 5years, 500 years.
Let the Afghans sort themselves out, by the way there does not seem to be too many casualties, YET.
Stay safe to all our service people
We are all praying for a successful operation and all souls returned unharmed. We wish everyone well and Godspeed.
Can it be technically a ‘rescue mission’ when the country has fallen and all the people we were meant to rescue have been beheaded?
At least they got their paperwork in to Border Force before the Taliban came knocking.