Spanish troops aid evacuees fleeing the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo / AP
Spanish troops aid evacuees fleeing the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo / AP
"We did the best we could."
Those are the words of Tauranga veteran David Benfell who still feels the impact of serving two years in Afghanistan today.
New Zealand withdrew forces from Afghanistan just months ago, ending almost 20 years of involvement in the conflicts plaguing the country.
The Talibanseized control of Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul, on August 15 and for veterans, such as Benfell, the news of ongoing conflict hit close to home.
"A lot of my friends were wounded [when we were over there] and my heart goes out to all the veterans who made friends among the Afghan people.
Spanish troops aid evacuees fleeing the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo / AP
"There are veterans worried about their friends and contacts, about what is going to happen to them."
Benfell served two combat tours in Southern Afghanistan in 2006 and 2008 as a member of the British Parachute Regiment. Before that, Benfell served in the New Zealand Army's infantry regiment.
"When you join the armed forces you gain a lot and you lose a lot," he said.
Benfell said overall he would like to see veterans in New Zealand treated with greater appreciation and empathy.
David Benfell (second from left) on active duty in 2006 south of Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Photo / Supplied
"It might seem like we didn't get the result we wanted but we made a positive impact on Afghani lives [while we were there].
"Wherever the armed forces go, we do our best on behalf of New Zealand."
Benfell said it was important to understand that the Western perception of Afghanistan did not necessarily match up with local views.
"Afghanistan is a very tribalistic country. Before we even arrived, there were many different perceptions of what Afghanistan is among the local people."
Benfell also said he hoped veterans understood the decisions being made now were not theirs to make.
"We committed ourselves. We did our best. It's all out of our hands now."
Former soldier David Benfell served two tours in Afghanistan as a member of the British Parachute Regiment. Photo / File
Gisborne City Council civil defence and emergency manager Ben Green's boots were among the first on the ground in Afghanistan more than 15 years ago.
Green served as part of New Zealand's provincial reconstruction team in the Bamiyan province in the early 2000s. He said he would not have been able to do his job without the help of Afghan interpreters.
"I've stayed in contact with those guys almost every day since," Green said.
The two interpreters Green worked with closely are now Australian citizens.
But both Green's friends still have family in Afghanistan who are trying to get out.
"They're Hazara, a minority group, so the events of the last week have not been fun for them."
Green knew many veterans had formed deeply ingrained friendships in Afghanistan.
"These things never really leave you.
"There was a human toll for our going there. But we have made a difference."
Green said the last 20 years had given many Afghan people access to education and a level of infrastructure even in the midst of a warzone.
"I don't ever regret our contribution."
Taliban fighters patrol the neighbourhood in Wazir Akbar Khan in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo / AP
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Thursday last week 80 personnel had deployed on C130 Hercules to evacuate New Zealanders, Afghani nationals and others from Kabul, Afghanistan.
"I know that you will do what you can," Ardern said about NZDF personnel involved.
An MFAT spokesman told the Bay of Plenty Times as of 3pm on last Tuesday MFAT was providing consular assistance to 104 New Zealanders in Afghanistan.
"For privacy reasons, we will not be releasing any details about these people," the spokesman said.
The first group of New Zealand citizens, their families and "other visa holders" evacuated from Afghanistan will arrive in New Zealand this afternoon.
