Afghanistan humanitarian airlift

Over nine sweltering days in August, Australian Defence Force personnel took part in the largest humanitarian airlift operation in recent history. As the Taliban swept across Afghanistan, Australia deployed five aircraft and the Army’s ready combat team to evacuate Australian nationals and approved foreign nationals from Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. In coordination with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Home Affairs, 4100 people were evacuated on more than 30 RAAF flights from August 18 - 26.