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The Department of Defence has confirmed that more than 250 personnel are departing Australia to support the Commonwealth’s endeavour to evacuate Australian citizens and visa holders from Afghanistan.
The personnel departed onboard a KC-30A from Amberly on 16 August, and will refuel at Australia's Middle East operating base before travelling onwards to Afghanistan.
The mission is part of a wider US-led operation to evacuate nationals and visa holders.
According to a statement by Defence, the mission will be continuously evaluated against ongoing developments in the country.
The announcement comes as Taliban troops enter Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.
President Joe Biden recently authorised the mobilisation of US troops to ensure the safe evacuation of civilians.
"First, based on the recommendations of our diplomatic, military, and intelligence teams, I have authorised the deployment of approximately 5,000 US troops to make sure we can have an orderly and safe drawdown of US personnel and other allied personnel, and an orderly and safe evacuation of Afghans who helped our troops during our mission and those at special risk from the Taliban advance," President Biden said.
"Second, I have ordered our Armed Forces and our intelligence community to ensure that we will maintain the capability and the vigilance to address future terrorist threats from Afghanistan.
"Third, I have directed the Secretary of State to support President Ghani and other Afghan leaders as they seek to prevent further bloodshed and pursue a political settlement. Secretary Blinken will also engage with key regional stakeholders."
Earlier today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison refused to comment on whether the Taliban's rapid advancement had changed Australia's plans to evacuate citizens and visa holders.
"I'm not going to go into the operations; it's for the protection of those we're engaged in seeking to provide for their safety," PM Morrison said.
More to follow.
