OPERATION SLIPPER
25 Years Since Afghanistan – Honouring RAEME Service
This year marks 25 years since the first ADF personnel deployed to Afghanistan. For many Australians, the conflict is remembered through news reports, military operations and the sacrifices made by those who served. For RAEME, however, Afghanistan is also a story of tradesmen, artificers, engineers and logisticians who quietly ensured that combat capability remained available whenever and wherever it was needed.
From the earliest deployments in 2001 through to the end of Australia's military commitment, RAEME soldiers served across Afghanistan in a remarkable variety of roles. They repaired battle-damaged vehicles, recovered equipment from hostile environments, maintained weapons and communications systems, supported aviation operations, trained local personnel and provided the technical expertise that kept Australian operations moving. Whether serving from forward operating bases, mentoring Afghan security forces, supporting units or working within multinational HQs, RAEME members consistently lived up to the Corps motto of Arte et Marte.
Many of those who deployed will tell you that their proudest achievements were not the vehicles they repaired or the equipment they maintained, but the soldiers they supported. Every patrol that returned safely, every convoy that reached its destination and every mission that succeeded depended in part on the efforts of RAEME personnel working behind the scenes and at the leading edge. Their contribution ensured that Australian soldiers could operate effectively in one of the most demanding environments of the modern era.
Afghanistan was not without cost. Many serving and former members continue to carry the physical and emotional effects of their service. As we reflect on this anniversary, it is important that we continue to support one another. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength. If you are struggling, please reach out to your mates, your family, Open Arms, or the many support services available to veterans and their families.
While Afghanistan was a conflict, it was also a mission that sought to improve the safety and wellbeing of the Afghan people. Australian personnel contributed to the development of local security forces, improved access to education, supported infrastructure projects and helped create opportunities for communities affected by decades of conflict. RAEME members played a vital part in those efforts, often through mentoring, technical training and capacity building that extended beyond the immediate battlefield.
One enduring symbol of RAEME's commitment to Afghanistan can be found today in the Army Museum Bandiana. The War Horse sculpture, incorporating the RAEME badge and crafted in Afghanistan, stands as a tangible reminder of the ingenuity, resilience and spirit of the Corps during the campaign. More than just a piece of art, it represents the dedication of the men and women who served there and the bonds forged through shared hardship and purpose.
As we mark 25 years since the commencement of Australian operations in Afghanistan, we remember all those who served. We honour those who did not return, support those who continue to carry the burden of service, and recognise the thousands of RAEME members whose professionalism kept capability available when it mattered most.
Their service formed part of a proud chapter in the history of our Corps. Their legacy endures in the equipment they maintained, the soldiers they supported, the lives they influenced and the enduring spirit of the Bluebell.
Click here for an operational overview
Click here for details of a commemorative coin being released
See the published edition for more photos.
