Return Home of Lt Tim O’Donnell And NZ Defence Force Personnel Wounded in Action

WEEKEND MEDIA - Release 9

The New Zealand Army officer killed in action in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell, will return to New Zealand on Saturday 7 August at Whenuapai Air Force Base in Auckland aboard a Royal New Zealand Air Force B757 aircraft.

He will be accompanied by Lance Corporal Matthew Ball and Private Allister Baker, the soldiers wounded during the same action.

The aircraft is expected to land at approximately 14.50hrs.

• Media will be allowed on base, but accompanied at all times with the following filming guidelines:
No filming/photographing of LT O’Donnell’s casket will be permitted.

Those wounded in action will be allowed to be filmed/photographed but at this stage no interviews are planned.

Coverage of the aircraft’s landing and taxiing will be permitted.

Commander of Joint Forces New Zealand, Air Vice Marshal Peter Stockwell and Chief of Army, Major General Rhys Jones will be available for comment on the base.

Those media wishing to attend should be at the gates of the Air Base by 1400 hours and be carrying photo ID and must register in advance with :

At this stage tomorrow’s ramp ceremony at Ohakea Air Base in the Manawatu will be held at approx 1600 hours, (4pm).

More information on exact timing will be released tomorrow morning (Sunday).

ENDS

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