The final journey home has begun for the two Australian soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Monday, with a sombre ceremony attended by hundreds of soldiers and officials at their Tarin Kowt base.
The bodies of Brisbane-based Sappers Jacob Moerland and Darren Smith were then flown to the United Arab Emirates, for a second ceremony at the Al Minhad Air Base in Dubai, where their bodies were met by Defence Minister John Faulkner and defence force chief Angus Houston.
The diggers' bodies are expected to arrive back in Australia this weekend.
Son's message
ABC journalist Chris Masters, who attended the Afghanistan ceremony, said a soldier read out a message from Mr Smith's son Mason.
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"Probably the most moving part of the ceremony was when (the soldier) gave the last word to two-and-a-half-years-old Mason, who'd sent across a message with a `lest we forget' insignia, and the words "to my daddy, Mason," Masters told ABC Television.
The ceremony was held in intense heat in an aircraft hangar, with 50 degree temperatures outside.
"There was a lot of sweat, but sweat mingled with tears... this has cut very, very deeply into this tight-knit unit," Masters said.
Another soldier spoke of his good mate, Sapper Moerland, known as Snowy.
Former PM saddened
Former Prime Minister John Howard has said he's saddened by the latest deaths.
Australia's involvement in Afghanistan started under his prime ministership in 2001 and Mr Howard had said, one year later, that Australian troops would return home as soon as possible.
Asked if he's surprised the war has lasted almost ten years, he has only said it started with bipartisan support and the war still has the support of Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott.
Since 2001, 13 Australian soldiers have died in the war-torn country.
