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The Australian Defence Force has remained an active force in supporting recovery and peace missions in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, with Operation Linesmen being the most recent ADF mission in the region.
Operation Linesmen aligns with the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) to support military agreements and actions in the DMZ, with wider goals of reducing tensions in the region.
In its most recent deployment, four ADF personnel were deployed to South Korea to observe the maintenance of the UNCMAC as South Korean defence personnel unearthed remains from 25 deceased soldiers as well as a range of artefacts.
“To be at the site of a 14-day battle, in which more than 3,000 munitions were dropped, and seeing the terrain that those soldiers were fighting in was unbelievable,” contingent commander of the operation Captain Johan Cillie said.
“It was humbling to be such a close part of the recovery.”
The operation saw collaboration with South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for Killed in Action Recovery and Identification, which Royal Australian Air Force Flight Sergeant Lachlan Pegg said was a valuable experience.
“Their professionalism, respect for history and dedication to the fallen set the tone for the entire mission,” he said.
