SENATOR JOHN FAULKNER
Minister for Defence
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
066/2010
Minister, Chief of Defence Force and Secretary to attend a
ramp ceremony in Al Minhad
The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, the Chief of the Defence
Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and the Secretary of Defence, Dr
Ian Watt, will attend a ramp ceremony at Al Minhad Air Base for the two
Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan yesterday.
The two brave soldiers will firstly be farewelled by their mates at a ramp
ceremony in Tarin Kowt tomorrow. As is customary, another ramp ceremony
will be held on their arrival at Al Minhad Air Base on their journey home.
Senator Faulkner, Air Chief Marshal Houston and Dr Watt are travelling
overseas and have in the last few days attended the Shangri-La Dialogue in
Singapore and visited Pakistan to meet with the President, the Defence
Minister and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. They will
shortly attend the Regional Command (South) Meeting at NATO
Headquarters in Brussels.
“In the circumstances, we thought it essential that we change our itineraries in
order to attend the ceremony and pay our respects,” Senator Faulkner said.
“These brave soldiers have died serving our nation. It is only fitting that we do
all we can to pay tribute to these fine young men.”
Air Chief Marshal Houston said his thoughts and prayers were with the
families of the soldiers.
“I offer these soldiers’ families, friends and mates my deepest sympathies.
Their selfless service will never be forgotten,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
“We want to be there to honour their sacrifice and to pay our respects to these
soldiers on their final journey home to their loved ones.”
Media Note:
Images of the ceremony will be available from the Defence website
Media contacts:
Colin Campbell (John Faulkner):
02 6277 7800 or 0407 787 181
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
