THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support
Sunday, 30 August 2009
051/2009
FLYING OFFICER MICHAEL HERBERT AND PILOT OFFICER
ROBERT CARVER RETURN HOME TO AUSTRALIA
Mike Kelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, joined members of
Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver’s families, and
former comrades of Number 2 Squadron in a solemn ceremony at Noi Bai
Airfield, Hanoi, as Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver begin their
return to Australia.
“Today our last remaining Australian Defence Force members from the
Vietnam War will return home. After 39 years, Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot
Officer Carver’s family and friends will finally be able to bring them home to
lay them to rest,” Dr Kelly said.
“A C-130 Hercules will transport Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver
to RAAF Base Richmond, where they will be ceremoniously received by
current and former members of 2 Squadron,” Dr Kelly said.
A reception ceremony will be held tomorrow at RAAF Base Richmond, and
will be attended by Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver’s families
and veterans of the Vietnam War.
Official dignitaries, who travelled with the family to Hanoi, including the
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, and Chief of Air Force, Air
Marshal Mark Binskin, will also attend.
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, thanked
those who have worked tirelessly to bring Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot
Officer Carver home.
“The work done by the Air Operations Division of Defence Science and
Technology Organisation (DSTO) provided crucial support for the initial
location of the missing aircraft. Their expertise and modelling work refined
and prioritised the search area,” Mr Combet said.
“We appreciate their efforts, and those of the Army History Unit and the
Australian Government team, which included forensic odontologists,
anthropologist and pathologist, and an archaeologist, who all assisted in this
significant mission to locate these last remaining ADF members in Vietnam.
“I would also like to acknowledge the efforts and commitment to the recovery
of Australian war dead shown by Jim Bourke and Operation Aussies Home.
“This is an excellent result. The cooperation of the Vietnamese authorities
has been exceptional and highly valued by the team and the Government of
Australia,” Mr Combet said.
The return of Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver completes the
recovery of all Australian Service personnel who were lost on operations and
not recovered during the Vietnam War.
Lance Corporal Parker and Private Gillson were repatriated to Australia in
June 2007, Lance Corporal Gillespie in December 2007, and Private Fisher in
October last year.
Please note Defence Media has a new phone number: 02 6127 1999.
The existing number will be automatically diverted to the new number for three
months. The existing after-hours duty mobile 0408 498 664 will remain.
Media contacts:
Elyse Gatt (Mike Kelly) - travelling:
0437 502 246
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet)
02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
