NEWS HEADLINES

Magpie 91 – Bracelets Closed

Closing the Bracelets - Magpie 91 (Video)

Tuesday 3 November 2020 marked the 50th Anniversary of the loss of No 2 Squadron Canberra aircraft callsign “Magpie 91”.

Tuesday 3 November 2020 marked the 50th Anniversary of the loss of No 2 Squadron Canberra aircraft callsign “Magpie 91”. A commemoration ceremony was held on this day at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island to honour and remember the crew – Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver.

For almost 39 years, the whereabouts of the bomber and the crew was unknown. In 2009 the wreckage of Magpie 91 was uncovered deep in the South Vietnamese jungle and finally the caskets with the remains of Michael Herbert and Robert Carver were brought back home to Australia on board an RAAF C130 aircraft.

This is the story of the loss of Magpie 91 – the perseverance of those men who would not give up the search for the lost aircraft and its crew, and their commitment to bringing home the two young airmen and closing the final bracelets.

Closing the Bracelets: click on the image below to watch the video.

MORE NEWS

Canberra to Mark 25 Years of Australian Service in Afghanistan

The Department of Veterans' Affairs will host a national commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 11 October 2026, marking 25 years since Australia's military involvement in Afghanistan began. The date corresponds to the 25th anniversary of...

Program Helps Veterans Stay Connected To Defence Community

Veterans transitioning to civilian life will be able to continue accessing Defence bases for up to 2 years under a new program that started in June. This program forms part of a response to Recommendation 82 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide,...

Campaign calls on veteran community to fill the gaps on the map

A national grassroots campaign is asking Australians with Defence connections to help “start the count” in federal electorates where no veteran community records yet exist. Veterans Count is building a picture of Australia’s Navy, Army and Air Force community,...

2026 Veteran Families Forum

Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2026 Veteran Families Forum later this year. The Forum brings together people with lived experience as part of a veteran family to work together on improvements to the way families of veterans are supported. It’s a chance...

New payment supports older veterans

  The Additional Disablement Amount (ADA) is a new payment being introduced from 1 July 2026, when all new claims for compensation and rehabilitation will be assessed under the improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).   The ADA is...