Private Gregory Sher Ramp Ceremony, Melbourne

09 January 2009

Private Greg Sher, who was tragically killed in a rocket attack in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, has returned home to Australia, in a solemn ramp ceremony held at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne.

Private (PTE) Sher, who leaves behind his parents, two brothers and his partner, was a member of the Sydney-based 1st Commando Regiment and was with a Special Operations Task Group element that had deployed from Tarin Kowt to a provincial patrol base.

A Special Forces bearer party carried PTE Sher’s casket from the RAAF C-17 Globe Master through an honour guard, also comprising members of the Special Forces, to be received by family and friends.

During the ceremony, PTE Sher’s medals, which included the International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) Clasp to the Australian Active Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Medal, were placed on his casket.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence; the Hon. Bob Baldwin MP, Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel (representing the Shadow Minister for Defence); Acting Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley; Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie; Special Operations Commander Australia, Major General Tim McOwan; and Commanding Officer 1st Commando Regiment.

: A Special Forces bearer party carries PTE Sher’s casket from the RAAF C-17 Globe Master at the ramp ceremony held at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne.

: Dignitaries in attendance at the ramp ceremony for Private Gregory Sher

: A Special Forces bearer party carries PTE Sher’s casket during the ramp ceremony at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne.

: A Special Forces bearer party carries PTE Sher’s casket through an honour guard, also formed by members of the Special Forces, during the ramp ceremony held at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne.