10/10/2026
Today marks 25 years since Australia commenced military operations in Afghanistan.
For many Australians, memories of Afghanistan are tied to headlines, images and moments from the nightly news. For thousands of veterans and families, the story is far more personal. It lives in the people they served alongside, the experiences that shaped them, and the path they have walked since returning home.
More than 35,000 Australians served in Afghanistan and the wider Middle East Area of Operations over the course of the conflict. We remember those who lost their lives, and we acknowledge the service, sacrifice and commitment of all who served.
We also recognise the families who bore the challenges of deployment and supported their loved ones throughout their service.
Anniversaries like these offer a moment to pause and reflect. They encourage us to remember not only significant events in our national history, but also the individual stories behind them.
Stories of service, friendship, resilience and the lasting impact that military service can have long after a deployment ends.
One of the most meaningful ways we can honour service is by ensuring veterans and families are supported when they need it most. Through the generosity of our supporters, Bravery Trust provides emergency financial assistance, financial counselling and financial education to veterans and their families facing hardship.
Today, we acknowledge all who served in Afghanistan, those who continue to carry the impacts of that service, and the families who have stood beside them through it all.
