von The three Australian soldiers killed in a helicopter crash on Monday 21 June will begin their journey home from Afghanistan this afternoon.
Private Tim Aplin, Private Ben Chuck, and Private Scott Palmer died as a result of an incident involving an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) helicopter.
A Ramp Ceremony will be held at the Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt this afternoon Afghanistan time.
The ceremony will be supported by military photographers and will be closed to the media in Afghanistan due to the attendance of Special Forces personnel who hold protected identity status.
The seven wounded soldiers continue to receive medical care at a Coalition medical facility in Germany. There are now three soldiers medically assessed as being in a very serious condition and four soldiers in a satisfactory condition.
Timing for the return of the wounded soldiers to Australia is yet to be confirmed and remains subject to ongoing medical assessment.
Family members and partners of the wounded soldiers have been flown to Germany to be with their wounded loved ones.
An Australian Defence Force specialist in air investigations will join the United States investigation into the helicopter crash which occurred at 3.39am (Afghanistan Time) on Monday.
Media note: Imagery of the Tarin Kowt Ramp Ceremony will be available for distribution in Australia through the Parliament House Press Gallery on Friday morning.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
Press release
Ministerial Support and Public Affairs,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, Australia
