Our People in NSW
Darren McKenzie - Byron Bay Boy now fighting Taliban in Afghanistan
Byron Bay’s Darren McKenzie is now earning his living in the high mountains and dangerous valleys of Afghanistan. He’s part of the Australian Army’s Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force.
Darren grew up in Byron Bay and went to school at Byron Bay Primary School and High School. He was a member of the Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club and the Byron Bay Red Devil Rugby League Club.
He enlisted in the Army in 1998, joining the Royal Australian Artillery as a paratrooper with ‘A’ Field Battery, 4th Field Regiment. These days he’s normally based at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney and he’s been promoted to bombardier.
But lately he’s been working with a Forward Operating Base in the Chora valley, southern Afghanistan, protecting our Diggers and their Afghan Army trainees when they go out on patrol.
“My job is to support infantry operations by organising artillery and mortar support, plus close air support from fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft,” Darren said.
“I possibly have the best job in artillery today. Having all the assets at my fingertips in a coalition environment is outstanding,” he said.
Darren says one of his main observations of Afghanistan is the seasonal weather, the extreme heat and the extreme cold. “Byron Bay wins any day!”
This is Darren’s third overseas deployment. He was in Timor Leste for two six month deployments in 2002 and 2006 and he’s been in Afghanistan for several months.
He is engaged to Kerrie Minter and is excited about going home. While overseas, Darren has missed two weddings, a number of birthdays and moving into his new house. He’s now looking forward to starting a family.
“I just want everyone to get home safe,” said Darren.
Darren is part of Operation SLIPPER, Australia's military contribution to international campaigns against terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security.