The RSL NSW Gunnedah Sub Branch hosted an inaugural Middle East Area of Operations Commemoration last Thursday at the cenotaph on Conadilly Street.

People gathered to honour the service and sacrifice of personnel who served in campaigns across the Middle East.

September 11, 2001 saw the beginning of Australian military personnel and civilian staff involvement in those operations.

Two decades later, on July 11, 2021, it was confirmed that all Australia Defence Force personnel had left Afghanistan.

On the anniversary of this announcement, Australians stopped to recognise the sacrifices made by these men and women.

The crowd gathered around the cenotaph where a speech was given by veteran Anthony Adams.

He recounted their mission to “defend Australia and its national interests in order to advance Australia’s security and prosperity”.

More than 33,000 Australian defence personnel were committed to stopping the war on terror in the Middle East and defend Australia.

This became the longest war commitment from Australia so far.

“It is important to understand that this commitment reshaped the global security landscape,” Anthony said.

“My journey of deployment to Afghanistan commenced in 2010, with MTF-1, a combined arms battle group which was part of Operation Slipper.

“The MTF-1 battle group operated out of a number of bases, however, I was based predominantly out of Ripley, a Forward Operating Base near Tarin Kowt in the Uruzgan Province.

“During our deployment, we carried out extensive operations in the Uruzgan and Helmand provinces, maintaining a high operational tempo to support the ADF mission.

“This deployment would encounter the highest casualty rate in this conflict.

“I remember the mission to be challenging and complex, requiring us as a taskforce to constantly adapt to an ever-changing environment, as we faced significant daily threats including [improvised explosive devices], ambushes and indirect fire.”

He explained they collaborated alongside coalition forces to disrupt insurgent activities, limit freedom of movement and secure key areas of the region.

It also included the focus on humanitarian support and reconstruction and building relationships with local communities along with improving the capabilities of Afghanistan security forces.

“We knew our actions directly impacted the lives of those we sought to protect,” he continued.

“Forty-three made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives during deployments in operations in the Middle East and 261 were recorded to be wounded in action.”

Rodger Van Beeck alongside Anthony laid the wreath on the cenotaph.

It was also announced at the commemoration service the NSW government plans to invest $2 million into building a new war memorial in Sydney dedicated to honouring the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Middle East campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bugler at the ceremony was Sarah Smith.

Anthony Adams and CJ Baldry in front of the cenotaph on Conadilly Street where Anthony laid the wreath alongside fellow veteran Rodger Van Beeck in remembrance of those who served in campaigns across the Middle East.

Rodger Van Beeck, Jan Commins and Anthony Adams.

Salvation Army’s Peter Hall.

Steven Hopwood led the crowd in the National Anthem.

Anthony Adams.

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