The three Australian commandos killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Monday are set to start their journey home.
Defence said a ramp ceremony to farewell Privates Tim Aplin, Ben Chuck and Scott Palmer would be held at their base at Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan Province later on Thursday afternoon, Afghanistan time.
The three soldiers, members of the 2nd Commando Regiment, died when their helicopter crashed in Kandahar province early on Monday morning.
Their deaths took the Australian death toll for Afghanistan to 16. The crash also killed an American soldier.
Another seven Australian Commandos were injured and are now being treated at the major US medical facility in Germany.
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Defence said three are now medically assessed as being in a very serious condition while four are in a satisfactory condition. On Wednesday, two were classed as in very serious condition and one in a serious condition.
Family members and partners of the wounded soldiers have been flown to Germany to be with their loved ones.
Defence said the timing for the return of the soldiers to Australia was yet to be confirmed and remained subject to ongoing medical assessment.
It said an Australian Defence Force specialist in air accident examination would join the United States investigation into the crash.
