The Chief of Defence has used his Christmas message to thank military personnel deployed away from home, while acknowledging this year's "difficult" Afghanistan war crimes inquiry.
At the end of a year which began with bushfire operations, and ends with continuing COVID-19 assistance missions, General Angus Campbell has thanked Australian Defence Force (ADF) members for their hard work.
"Please take a moment to also remember our mates and colleagues who continue to serve and support our nation on operations during this time," General Campbell said in a video message posted on the Defence Department's website.
"I sincerely thank you all for all your efforts in 2020."
This Christmas, around 1,600 ADF members are deployed around the country as part of Operation COVID-Assist, while almost 1,500 personnel are stationed on various operations across the globe.
In his remarks, General Campbell also noted the damning findings from the Afghanistan war crimes inquiry which were released last month.
"The release of the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force's report into Afghanistan marked a difficult step forward for our community and the nation," he said.
"I'd like to thank those who had the courage to speak up — together we'll work to ensure the ADF always and everywhere reflects the best of Australia".
Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty echoed General Campbell's sentiments in his Christmas message to the ADF.
"This year has been a tough one — your country has asked much of you in 2020," he said.
"Some of you have been separated from your families, endured long quarantine periods and faced extended or uncertain postings.
"We know you have given much this year and we thank you for your continued service throughout."
ADF personnel to celebrate Christmas lunch heading to Fiji
A further 750 Australian defence force personnel are currently heading to Fiji to provide humanitarian relief after Tropical Cyclone Yasa devastated the Pacific nation last week.
The ADF's largest warship, HMAS Adelaide, departed Brisbane on Christmas Eve, carrying specialist medical and engineering teams.
Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Rear Admiral Jaimie Hatcher says the ship's crew will get a moment to celebrate Christmas at sea as they make their way to Fiji.
"It's a fantastic Christmas lunch served by some of the Navy's and some of our nation's greatest chefs and we've organised a small beer issue which is very old sailor's routine for a couple of cans of beer for each person on board if they wish to participate in that," he said.
