A former commando who served four tours in Afghanistan says Special Forces veterans are “the most marginalized minority” in Australia.
Heston Russell spent 16 years in the military and retired with the rank of major, having been deployed to East Timor and Iraq as well as fighting the Taliban.
In recent years he has campaigned for the welfare of returning comrades-in-arms, founding Veterans Voice in 2020 and Veteran Support Force in 2021.
On Tuesday, Russell slammed what he called “the most disgraceful and disgraceful treatment of modern-day heroes” in a social media post.
“The most marginalized minority in our Australian society today consists of those who are arguably willing to do the most for our country,” he wrote.
Former commando Heston Russell says Special Forces veterans are “the most marginalized minority” in Australia. Mr. Russell spent 16 years in the Army and retired with the rank of Major, having been deployed four times to Afghanistan as well as Iraq and East Timor
Mr Russell took aim at the “most shameful and disgraceful treatment of modern day heroes” in an Instagram post. Soldiers of the Australian Special Forces pose for a photo in Afghanistan in 2013
Being identified as a Special Forces veteran in Australia today unfortunately brings with it labels you might not expect that include ‘war criminal’ and ‘murderer’.
These are the guys who know what true courage is. They have dedicated their lives, livelihoods and families to serving on the front lines of our country – they have been the spearhead of the Australian Armed Forces.
A 2020 report by the Inspector General of the Australian Defense Forces (IGADF) found evidence of 39 unlawful killings of civilians and prisoners by Special Forces soldiers in Afghanistan or at their behest.
The report, written by NSW High Court judge Paul Brereton, found evidence of 25 individual Australians being involved in the killings, most of which allegedly took place in 2012 and 2013.
In the wake of that report, the commander of the Australian Defense Forces, General Angus Campbell, moved to strip unit citations from around 3,000 Special Forces soldiers who had served in Afghanistan.
In November last year, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that at least 1,600 current and former ADF members died by suicide between 1997 and 2020.
Russell, who served with the 2nd Commando Regiment, wrote in his post that Special Forces veterans should be “honored and respected” for their service to Australia rather than face defamation.
The Royal Commission on Veteran Suicide and Defense has received more than 3,000 applications and heard nearly 250 witnesses at public hearings.
More than 26,000 Australians have served in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021. Four Victoria Crosses have been awarded, 41 soldiers killed and 261 wounded.
Russell, who served with the 2nd Commando Regiment, wrote in his post that Special Forces veterans should be “honored and respected” for their service to Australia rather than face defamation.
He wrote, “These men at their best are role models who can inspire the young men and women who will be the future leaders of our great nation.”
Instead, these men are easily demolished and told that their physical bravery, fighting superiority, and patriotic beliefs are no longer important or even acceptable values to some in society today.
Mr Russell wrote: “Identification as a Special Forces veteran in Australia today unfortunately brings with it labels you might not expect that include ‘war criminal’ and ‘murderer’.
Mr. Russell (above) wrote: ‘At their best, these men are role models who can inspire the young men and women who will be the future leaders of our great nation.
“The truth is, our offensive military power is only deployed when politicians and bureaucrats can’t get the job done, when diplomacy fails, or when words and documents deter those who intend to do harm to our nation.”
In February, a federal court ruled that ABC had defamed Russell in a series of articles and broadcasts that linked him to alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan in 2012.
The stories reported that Russell was “the subject of an active criminal investigation into his conduct as a commando in Afghanistan” and “reasonably suspected … of committing a crime or crimes while a commando in Afghanistan.”
Judge Michael Lee also found that the ABC stories indicated that Russell habitually crossed the line of moral behavior on purpose and acted so immorally that the United States Forces refused to work with him.
Judge Lee has since suspended NBC’s defense of the truth in the case, which goes back to court on April 24.
