Christmas Celebrated Australian-Style

Christmas Celebrated Australian-Style On Operations

From snow and sub-zero temperatures to monsoon rains and tropical humidity, approximately 3,800 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed overseas and conducting border protection operations will be spending Christmas this year far from home and family.

Afghanistan

Winter in Afghanistan can be harsh, with temperatures in Tarin Kowt frequently below freezing but a traditional Christmas roast lunch prepared by Australian cooks will no doubt warm up those deployed.

Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force-2 Regimental Sergeant, Major Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Darren Murch said the lunch will bring soldiers together to share a meal and swap a few stories. He said a church service and a concert conducted by the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment band will be the highlights of the day.

"The Christmas parcels have been flooding in and the telephones and internet will be well used on the day to offer best wishes to family and friends back home," WO1 Murch said.

While it will be business as usual for the Special Operations Task Group, a Santa suit may be put into action. The Special Forces soldiers will celebrate the day with a traditional Christmas lunch and they already have their Christmas decorations in place in the mess.

Australian personnel in Kandahar will celebrate with a Christmas lunch with their British counter-parts followed by an Aussie barbecue dinner. On Boxing Day, the Afghanistan version of "The Ashes" will be played out when they take on the Brits in a game of cricket.

In the neighbouring Helmand Province, Australian gunners attached to the British Army will also celebrate with their British hosts. Theirs will be a day spent in Spartan surrounds, and while the team will enjoy the celebrations they will be ever poised to provide immediate artillery support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Middle East

An Aussie-style barbecue breakfast will be on offer at the Middle East location affectionately known as "Billabong Flats" for personnel serving with the National Headquarters, the C130 Hercules and AP3 Orion aircraft detachments, the Force Communications Unit and the RAAF Combat Support Unit. The troops will join their US colleagues for Christmas lunch at the American mess before returning for a traditional Christmas dinner back at "Billabong Flats".

HMAS Stuart will be continuing operations in the Gulf of Aden conducting counter terrorism operations. In line with Royal Australian Navy tradition, the officers will help serve the sailors a Christmas meal on board.

As well, a team of 25 Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors will spend Christmas coordinating maritime security operations throughout the region. Commander of the Combined Task Force 150, Commodore Richard Menhinick has tactical control of Coalition ships and aircraft from many nations.

Meanwhile, in Iraq, members of the ADF Security Detachment (SECDET) protecting the Australian Embassy in Baghdad will spend Christmas on duty maintaining security and ensuring the success of the diplomatic mission. The Australian Ambassador, Robert Tyson, and his staff will join Officer Commanding SECDET, Major Nigel Earnshaw and Company Sergeant Major Stephan McCaig in cooking a BBQ lunch for the diggers as they rotate off security shifts and return from escort tasks.

The Commander of Australian troops in the Middle East, Major General Mark Kelly thanked the Australian public for their ongoing support of the troops in the region and their generosity of spirit.

"This time of year is especially difficult for all deployed personnel - separated from their families and loved ones. However, we can all be comforted by the knowledge that our people are working hard, for a good cause," said Major General Mark Kelly.

Sudan

In Khartoum, most of the 17 Australian personnel serving with the United Nations Mission in Sudan will also be gathering around a barbecue for their Aussie Christmas lunch.

Solomon Islands

For the troops in the Solomon Islands and Timor, the tropical monsoon is the setting for Christmas festivities.

About 80 Australian Army soldiers and Australian Police in the Solomon Islands will be sharing Carols by Candlelight with the local community. A Christmas Day lunch with all the trimmings will uphold the tradition with the officers serving the enlisted men. An ANZAC cricket team will also take on the Police in the traditional Boxing Day cricket match.

The Commander of the Combined Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel David Thompson said the Reserve soldiers from Australia will join soldiers from New Zealand and Papua New Guinea as well as police officers from Australia and the Pacific region.

"Christmas in the Solomon Islands, like in Australia, is traditionally a time for celebrating with family and close friends, but for those of us on mission while celebrating together we will, of course, be with our loved ones in spirit," Lieutenant Colonel Thompson said.

East Timor

The sporting theme prevails in East Timor, where members of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) will have two days of sports.

The Commander of the ISF, Commodore Stuart Mayer said personnel at each of the three bases around Dili will join sport with festivities on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

"We wanted to make sure that no-one missed out on hitting a cricket ball or playing some footy before eating a big lunch, so we have spread Christmas festivities over two days", Commodore Mayer said.

Border Protection

As well, off Australia's northern coast-line, up to 500 personnel will be conducting border-protection operations as part of Operation RESOLUTE - and will continue operations alongside their Customs colleagues during the festive season.

Message from the Chief of Joint Operations

The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans said the Australian public holds a deep respect for its deployed people.

"Christmas Day is an important time to reflect on the year that has passed and the challenges that lay ahead. We have personnel deployed on 13 operations, working in important roles from border protection and peace keeping missions to counter-piracy and combating terrorism," he said.

"Our personnel deployed on operations share a common bond and while the presence of families and loved ones cannot be replaced, I am sure the mateship of colleagues will provide support."

ENDS

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