Welcome

The unfolding events in Afghanistan in the past weeks have been sudden and distressing. As well as feeling deep personal concern for those we know, these events challenge us as individuals and as an Army.

After three weeks of intensive training and complex manoeuvres across three states, around 17,000 military personnel from seven nations are ready to say goodbye.

On 10 May 2017, Private Jason Challis, a Rifleman with the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, was killed during a training incident at Mount Bundey Training Area, in the Northern Territory.

Townsville, Queensland - just as the last rays of light had retreated from the dry riverbed, a low rumble began to echo across the darkened landscape. The rumble grew to a roar as three U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys, an American multi-mission tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical and short takeoff and landing capabilities, descended out of the dark sky and onto a landing zone several kilometers west of their primary objective.