Media Room: Media Releases

Families of service personnel tragically killed in the crash of RAAF Dakota A65-61, travelled by C-130 Hercules to Papau New Guinea to farewell their loved ones in a service today.

The military funeral, held at the Port Moresby War Cemetery in Bomana, honoured the 29 passengers and crew of the aircraft which crashed into the Carstenz Ranges in Papua on the 18^th of September 1945.

The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, AM paid tribute to Air Force and Army personnel who were killed in the line of duty.

"Defence is committed to honouring these men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation, Air Marshal Shepherd said.

"Their tradition of dedicated service carries on in the Australian Defence Force today, where the commitment and courage of our men and women continues to impress, on exercises and operations both in Australia and overseas on deployment."

Air Marshal Shepherd also praised the efforts of all those involved in the challenging recovery.

"Without the assistance from the Indonesian Air Force, assistance from local mining company, PT Freeport Indonesia and members of the local community, the recovery of the passengers and crew of RAAF Dakota A65-61 would not have been possible."

The Australian Defence Force was represented at the burial service by Air Commodore Glen Steed from the RAAF and Brigadier Brian Dawson from the Army.

Compile vision (pre-service) including interviews with the families members in Australia, is available through Channel 7 Sydney.

Due to the late return of the aircraft from Port Moresby, Defence vision of the funeral service itself will not be available until after 7pm, when it can again be obtained through Channel 7 Sydney.

Defence Media Liaison – (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664