Australian servicemen and women of the No. 84 Wing Detachment in Kyrgyzstan this year commemorated Anzac Day at Ganci Air Base, attending a dawn service before launching the Australian B-707 air-to-air refuelling tanker on an operational mission.

Coalition force members, led by Ganci Base senior officer Brigadier General 'Speedy' Lloyd, joined the Australians to attend the service, which was dedicated to the ultimate sacrifice made by SGT Andrew Russell, the SASR member who died in Afghanistan while deployed with the international coalition against terrorism.

The order of service included addresses by the 84WG Detachment Commander and the Operations Group Commander for the Coalition at Ganci Air Base, an Australian Group Captain.

Ganci Air Base padre, Father Volmi, who served in East Timor with Australian servicemen, led prayers and hymns during the service. USAF bugler, SSGT Veverica, who had been practicing daily since the beginning of April, played the Last Post and Reveille.

The service did not stop the flying operations of the detachment, which has maintained a regular air-to-air refuelling capability for the coalition. This capability extends the range and 'time on station' of coalition jets operating over northern and southern Afghanistan.

One member of the detachment, Paul, a Ground Defence Officer, expressed how proud he was to be an Australian serviceman, and to have the opportunity to serve within a coalition force.

He was selected to be part of the Australian contingent to brief the Detachment Commander on the correct security posture at Ganci Air Base.

Another member, 'Wiggo', an Engine/Airframe fitter from RAAF Base Richmond, admitted he was very happy to be there to work within the coalition force as part of the Australian contribution to the international coalition against terrorism

The participation of the other coalition nations in the dawn ceremony was yet another highlight of the 84WG deployment.

The special event provided the detachment with the opportunity to display the famous esprit de corps of Australian servicemen and women and, in doing so, has helped perpetuated the Anzac tradition.