Former Aussie embassy guard on last flight out of Kabul but 34 mates left behind

An Aussie who was on the last flight out of Kabul with his wife has revealed how they made it out — as 34 of his colleagues were left behind.

A longstanding Australian embassy Afghan security guard and his young wife were among the last to be evacuated by the ADF after a bloody and bruising fight to get into Kabul Airport.

But at least 34 colleagues left behind are now on the run and looking for other land border avenues and countries to escape Taliban retributions.

The 31-year-old man who spent 11 years with our diplomats and his 26-year-old wife said he was relieved beyond belief to have made it to safety.

Just a week ago he expressed his heartache and told friends and family he was resigned to the fact he would be executed by the Taliban after they had already come looking for him at the homes of relatives.

Australian Embassy in Kabul head of security Paul Johnstone with a local contracted guard who managed to get on one of the last ADF flights out of Kabul. Picture: Supplied

His name and those of hundreds of others who worked for foreign “crusaders” is believed to have been passed to the Taliban by former Afghan Interior Ministry officials looking now for favour with their new rulers.

“I am very relieved now and particularly my wife for we knew what they would do if they caught us and to her particularly,” he said on Friday from the safety of Australia’s camp in the UAE as he prepared to board a flight to Australia.

“We have mixed feeling because we leave our family behind and much uncertainty for the future but we are very happy.”

The former Australian Embassy Security Guard in the United Arab Emirates on Friday after being on the last ADF flight out of Kabul. Picture: Network News

The couple is hoping now to resettle in Brisbane where his friend, former ADF soldier and AFP police officer Paul Johnstone said a support base was already being set up for them and others.

He said while it was pleasing his former colleague whom he worked with for a year at the embassy had got out, he had received calls from 34 other security guards who could not get to the airport.

Volunteers and medical staff bring an injured man on a stretcher to a hospital for treatment after two powerful explosions at Kabul airport. Picture: AFP

“I had calls from them still trying to get into the airport and now after what happened overnight and the attacks it’s a pretty sh***y situation, they really are desperate beyond belief,” he said.

“I was up communicating with them through the night, they really are desperate.”

He was now going to gather their electronic Australian visas, although many said they had yet to receive, and other documentation to put to DFAT and the US embassy to see what they can do.

“I’m not giving up, there is still so much work to do here, it’s extremely painful knowing what their fate could be,” he added.

Originally published as Former Aussie embassy guard on last flight out of Kabul but 34 mates left behind