Our People in VIC
John Bray - ANZAC Day in Afghanistan
Now an Army Corporal, John has specialised as a supply operator with the Australian contingent based at Kandahar Airfield. The team provides communications, administration and logistical support to Australian troops based at Kandahar, Kabul and Tarin Kowt.
“I love logistics. I love warehousing and supply,” John said. “I also enjoy the interaction with people and in this location you’re meeting and working with people from other countries.”
John has been in the Army for four years and this is his second overseas operation. He also deployed on Operation Sumatra Assist in 2005, following the tsunami disaster.
“In Afghanistan, dealing with the different roles of personnel was challenging. You’ve got to remain flexible with each person’s requirements,” he said.
On April 25, John and his mates held their own Dawn Service at Camp Baker, named after Trooper Baker who died in the Black Hawk crash of June 1996. The ceremony not only honoured the original Anzacs, but paid tribute to Australians in uniform who had paid the ultimate sacrifice more recently.
“It brings it home, being in a war zone,” John said.
“I was also overseas last Anzac Day, in Malaysia. We went to Hellfire Pass [on the Death Railway built by Allied POWs] as part of Rifle Company Butterworth and got to see what those soldiers went through. It really brings home the sacrifices they made.”