11/06/2026
Here’s to the men in black — the first generation of Australian Counter Terrorism (CT) Operators, who built a capability to rely on when failure was not an option.
Shrouded in secrecy and serving without salute, they wrote the playbook, and set a standard revered by all who followed.
So raise a glass to these quiet servants of Australia, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation.
The Australian Counter Terrorism Operators.
Today we remember the Black Hawk tragedy.
On the evening of 12 June 1996, two Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters collided during a counter-terrorism training activity near Townsville.
Eighteen Australian soldiers lost their lives that night — fifteen from the Special Air Service Regiment and three from the 5th Aviation Regiment.
They were soldiers, operators and aircrew, but more importantly they were husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and mates.
They were training for a job few will ever understand, building a capability designed to keep Australians and Australia safe.
Many others who survived that night carried the physical and mental scars forward. The families, mates, units and communities around them have carried the loss ever since.
What also must be remembered is the courage shown in the aftermath — those who moved through fire, darkness and danger to help their mates, the aircrews who held their nerve, the medical teams, the families, the Townsville and Perth communities, and all those who stood beside them.
Thirty years on, we remember the men who gave everything in the service of our nation.
We remember the sacrifice.
We remember the families.
We remember the mates who never came home.
Raise a glass today.
Lest We Forget.
