Local MP Darren Chester enjoys finding a local Gippsland connection during his travels as the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. And last week's trip to Kabul, Afghanistan, was no exception. Mr Chester is pictured with Sale-based TAAC-Air Logistics Advisor FLTLT Philip Buller (pictured middle) while visiting Camp Grant. FLTLF Buller is based at RAAF Base East Sale. Also pictured on the left is Peter Connor, Commander Task Group Afghanistan. Camp Grant is located on the edge of the tarmac at Hamid Karzai International Airport and is the recreation area for a number of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel deployed to Afghanistan. It is named in honour of New Zealand Defence Force member Cpl Dougie Grant, who was killed on August 19, 2011, whilst supporting the Afghan Crisis Response Unit to rescue a number of hostages on the edge of Kabul. Both New Zealand and Australian troops use Camp Grant as a place to remember those service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice - 41 ADF personnel and 10 NZDF personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
