Afghanistan evacuation mission: NZ Defence Force personnel 'tormented' by memories of those they couldn't save

The leader of New Zealand's high-stakes evacuation mission in Afghanistan has revealed members of the Defence Force (NZDF) have been left "tormented" by what they witnessed during the operation.

Around 80 NZDF staff were sent to Kabul to help evacuate New Zealand nationals, their families and visa holders earlier this month after the Taliban captured the city, forcing thousands of desperate Afghans to flee to the airport in harrowing scenes in the hopes of being evacuated. 

Senior National Officer for the operation, Group Captain Nick Olney, says what his team saw on the in Kabul has had a lasting impact on them - particularly situations in which they could reach out and touch people, but couldn't save them.

"I can't stress enough how difficult it was to bring those people through the wire [at the airport]," he said. "It was best endeavours to make miracles happen in the timeframe we had available."

Capt Olney says staff were moving deep into the security area around the airport and at times used a canal to reach people, then assisted them through sewage ditches and over barbed wire fences to get them to the airport and to safety.

NZDF personnel in the perimeter of the airport in Kabul.
NZDF personnel in the perimeter of the airport in Kabul. Photo credit: NZDF / Supplied

The NZDF says the bank of the canal was controlled by coalition forces, so soldiers were able to use it as a tactical thoroughfare, often jumping into the water to help evacuees. In one rescue, a woman in a wheelchair and her son were helped down the banks.

"This specific rescue was just one of hundreds of acts we undertook to recover New Zealand nationals," said Capt Olney. "All those involved in the operation take great pride in being able to be a part of the numerous acts that took place to get people out safely."

He says the rescue mission required bravery on both sides, and said Kiwi troops "put their lives on the line" in dangerous areas where US personnel were later killed.

"Our team pushed themselves to every physical and psychological limit to get these people out and inside the wire and make them safe."

He said those who made it to the airport were "relieved, frightened - every human emotion you could possibly think of".

"For them, when they saw a Kiwi serviceperson, it was their first sign of hope."

So far, 370 people are on their way to New Zealand or have arrived on our shores after being evacuated from Afghanistan. It's not known how many are New Zealand passport holders. 

Of these 370 people, 228 had departed for New Zealand from the United Arab Emirates by Saturday.