Captain Bryce Duffy, Corporal Ashley Birt and Lance Corporal Luke Gavin returned home on Sunday, 6 November 2011, met by their families and colleagues in a solemn and dignified ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley.
Soldiers from the 4th Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, 1st Topographical Survey Squadron and 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment formed an honour guard and bearer party to receive and carry the three caskets from the Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft.
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison AO, Commander 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Stuart Smith, and Commander 6th Brigade, Brigadier David Coghlan, attended the Ramp Ceremony and paid tribute to the fallen.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these fine young soldiers. The circumstances in which they died were terrible,” Lieutenant General David Morrison said.
“They believed in the job they were doing, and we must keep the faith in the job we are doing to develop the Afghan Army in order to allow for acceptable security in that country into the future.
“I offer my deepest sympathy to the families, friends and comrades of those killed or wounded.”
Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley AC, DSC, honoured the three fallen soldiers in a memorial service at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
“It was an honour to pay my respects to three men who have served their country with distinction and pride. I am humbled by the sacrifice these soldiers have made,” General Hurley said.
“Captain Duffy, Corporal Birt and Lance Corporal Gavin shared a dedication to duty that will continue to inspire their comrades as they carry out their mission.”
Photos from the ceremony will be available at http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003=&search=11121200
Photos from the memorial service at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates are available at http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003=&search=11121199
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