Statement by the Australian Special Air Service Association

On Recent Remarks by the President of the USA regarding Allied Forces in Afghanistan

Statement to Australian Veterans and Their Families

To Australia’s veterans of the Afghanistan conflict, and to the families who stood beside them. Recent public remarks by the President of the United States regarding the role of allied forces in Afghanistan have caused understandable hurt, anger, and distress within our veteran community. Any suggestion that Australian forces “stayed back” or avoided frontline service is factually wrong. More importantly, it does not reflect the reality known by those who were there, nor by the American and coalition service members who planned with, fought alongside, and depended upon Australian soldiers over two decades of war.

From the earliest days following the attacks of 11 September 2001, Australian special forces were among the first coalition troops on the ground in Afghanistan. Within weeks, Australian SAS soldiers were operating alongside United States forces in hostile territory, conducting long-range patrols, direct action missions, and sustained combat operations against a determined enemy. This was frontline service in every sense of the word, repeated across multiple deployments and carried out at great personal risk.

In Uruzgan Province and other high-threat areas, Australian special forces undertook relentless operations: targeting insurgent leadership, dismantling enemy networks, clearing entrenched positions, mentoring partner forces under fire, and engaging in close combat. These missions were conducted by small teams, often with limited support and no margin for error. The notion that Australian forces stood apart from the fight bears no resemblance to operational reality.

The cost of this service was real and enduring. Forty-seven Australians lost their lives in Afghanistan or directly from their service in the conflict. Hundreds were wounded. Thousands returned home carrying visible and invisible scars. Families bore the burden of repeated deployments, long absences, and the lifelong consequences of war. These sacrifices were not made from the sidelines; they were made at the point of contact, under fire, and in the most demanding circumstances imaginable.

The awarding of four Victoria Crosses and numerous other awards for bravery in actions in Afghanistan, stands as formal recognition of extraordinary bravery under direct enemy fire. These honours reflect moments of absolute risk, selflessness, and resolve—acts that speak more clearly, and with far greater authority, than any political remark ever could.

Those who served do not require validation from political leaders. Their service is already known and respected by the people who matter most: the fellow soldiers who fought beside them. Across Afghanistan, Australian special forces earned a reputation for professionalism, courage, and reliability that remains deeply respected within the global special operations community, particularly among United States service personnel who shared the fight.

It is important to state plainly that the remarks recently made do not represent the views of the broader United States military, nor of the countless American soldiers who served shoulder to shoulder with Australians. The bonds forged in combat are built on shared danger, mutual trust, and proven competence. They endure beyond administrations, elections, or individual leaders.

Beyond the moral injury caused to those who served, such remarks represent a concerning disregard for the value of the alliances and military partnerships forged through years of shared hardship and sacrifice. Australian special forces have fought, planned, and bled alongside United States and coalition special operations forces not only in Afghanistan, but across multiple theatres and generations. These relationships are not transactional. They are founded on professionalism, loyalty, and trust, tested repeatedly under fire, and they remain vital to mission success and collective security.

The Australian Special Air Service Association stands unequivocally with Australia’s veterans of Afghanistan and with your families.

Your service mattered.

Your sacrifice mattered.

It is recognised, respected, and honoured by your peers and allies around the world. No careless or ill-informed comment can diminish what you did, the legacy you carry, or the contribution you made at the front lines of our nation’s longest war.

Contact:

Bob Hunter

National Chair, The Australian SAS Association

E: chairman.asasa@gmail.com.au

Mob: +61 413 045 355