Afghanistan war over as final Aussie troops withdraw

The war in Afghanistan is officially over, with the last Australian troops leaving the war zone after nearly 20 years of combat.

EXCLUSIVE

The country’s longest war is officially over with the last Australian troops flown out of Afghanistan.

The withdrawal came on June 18 – months earlier than the stated deadline of September 11 – ending Australia’s involvement in a brutal war that left 41 servicemen killed during combat operations.

The US pulled all its combat troops out of Bagram Air Base on Thursday evening but 650 US troops will remain as security for the embassy.

Australia has withdrawn its last remaining troops from Afghanistan ahead of the September 11 deadline. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The day of Australia’s withdrawal was like any other in Kabul as the last six Australian soldiers boarded a Royal Australian Air Force C130 aircraft to fly out.

They carried large army trunks to the waiting plane, where RAAF personnel helped them to strap the heavily laden boxes to the aircraft floor.

With all their equipment loaded and secured, the group stopped and posed for a final photograph with the Australian flag.

The final Aussie troops ship out. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The looks on their faces told of the anxiety of serving their country and of the anticipation of what waits for them back home in Australia.

At 3.30pm on Friday, the RAAF C130 taxied down the runway, then lifted off for the last time from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

The last six remaining Australian troops with the Australian flag before boarding a RAAF C130 aircraft at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage