On a crisp desert morning, Private Gregory Sher was farewelled by fellow soldiers in the Middle East, his body loaded onto a RAAF C-17 transport aircraft for a final journey back to Australia after his death in Afghanistan.
Australian and US soldiers, as well as service personnel from other nations formed a guard of honour as his casket, draped in the Australian flag, was on carried on Thursday from a hearse to the waiting aircraft.
ADF padre Father Rod McAuliffe intoned the 23rd Psalm as the casket was borne by eight soldiers between the rows of troops, as the Last Post rang out.
Private Sher, 30, was the eighth Australian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002 and the first reservist.
A member of the part-time 1st Commando Regiment, he was serving as a member of the Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) within the restive Oruzgan province.
He was killed at the weekend when an insurgent rocket landed in a remote forward operating base where he and others were operating.
Defence head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Defence Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon and commander of Australian forces in the Middle East Major General Mike Hindmarsh gathered at an air base in Kuwait for the ramp ceremony.
Earlier on Thursday, Private Sher's casket was farewelled by his colleagues in a solemn ceremony in Tarin Kowt, southern Afghanistan, before being flown out aboard an RAAF aircraft.
Another ceremony will be held when the slain soldier reaches Melbourne. His funeral, to be conducted in accordance with Jewish custom, is scheduled for Sunday with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd expected to attend.
Such ceremonies are all too common at the Kuwait base, being held several times a week for American soldiers killed in Iraq. One was scheduled an hour after the aircraft carrying Private Sher flew off to Australia.
Mr Snowdon, in the Middle East to visit Australian troops, said he was honoured to be able to attend this ceremony.
"I am deeply sorry at the sad and tragic loss of Private Sher, who has paid the ultimate price in the service of his nation," he said.
"I know that words will not lift the burden of sadness and grief from his family and friends and comrades, though today's ceremony was a fitting and moving tribute to a dedicated and professional soldier as he was farewelled for his journey home."
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