Mike Kelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, joined members of Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver’s families, and former comrades of Number 2 Squadron in a solemn ceremony at Noi Bai Airfield, Hanoi, as Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver begin their return to Australia.

“Today our last remaining Australian Defence Force members from the Vietnam War will return home. After 39 years, Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver’s family and friends will finally be able to bring them home to lay them to rest,” Dr Kelly said. “A C-130 Hercules will transport Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver to RAAF Base Richmond, where they will be ceremoniously received by current and former members of 2 Squadron,” Dr Kelly said.

A reception ceremony will be held tomorrow at RAAF Base Richmond, and will be attended by Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver’s families and veterans of the Vietnam War. Official dignitaries, who travelled with the family to Hanoi, including the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, will also attend. Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, thanked those who have worked tirelessly to bring Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver home.

“The work done by the Air Operations Division of Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) provided crucial support for the initial location of the missing aircraft. Their expertise and modelling work refined and prioritised the search area,” Mr Combet said. “We appreciate their efforts, and those of the Army History Unit and the Australian Government team, which included forensic odontologists, anthropologist and pathologist, and an archaeologist, who all assisted in this significant mission to locate these last remaining ADF members in Vietnam. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts and commitment to the recovery of Australian war dead shown by Jim Bourke and Operation Aussies Home. This is an excellent result. The cooperation of the Vietnamese authorities has been exceptional and highly valued by the team and the Government of Australia,” Mr Combet said.

The return of Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver completes the recovery of all Australian Service personnel who were lost on operations and not recovered during the Vietnam War. Lance Corporal Parker and Private Gillson were repatriated to Australia in June 2007, Lance Corporal Gillespie in December 2007, and Private Fisher in October last year.