DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 257/10
Saturday, 26 June 2010
The return of 2nd Commando Regiment fallen
Private Tim Aplin, Private Ben Chuck, and Private Scott Palmer of the 2nd Commando
Regiment returned home today, met by their families and members of their unit, in a
solemn and dignified ceremony at RAAF Base Richmond.
Commandos from 2nd Commando 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.
Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner; Mrs Louise Markus, Shadow Minister
for Veterans’ Affairs and local member for Greenway representing the Shadow
Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston; The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief
Marshal Angus Houston; The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie and
Special Operations Commander Australia, Major General Tim McOwan attended the
Ramp Ceremony.
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie spoke of the significance of the
Ramp Ceremony in welcoming Private Aplin, Private Chuck and Private Palmer
home to their families.
“The Ramp Ceremony is a military tradition, where the families of the fallen and the
Army family gather to welcome home those who have made the supreme sacrifice in
the service of our nation,” said General Gillespie.
Special Operations Commander, Major General Tim McOwan described the loss felt
by the 2nd Commando Regiment.
“They are in mourning and they are suffering greatly from a significant loss for the
Regiment and we should not forget that we have seven other soldiers who are
wounded in action.
“It is a traumatic event for a Regiment that is as close as the 2nd Commando
Regiment. They are a resilient organisation, thoroughly professional and they will
continue to soldier on behalf of the nation.
“Our immediate thoughts are with their families. These three young men were
professional soldiers and they knew the risks inherent in their job. The families should
not have to suffer the tragedies that they do and we will all carry this sorrow for the
rest of our lives,” said General McOwan.
NEWS 
