Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sergeant Russell enlisted into the Australian Regular Army on the 26th of November 1986. After he completed his Recruit Training at Kapooka, he was allocated to the Royal Australian Engineer Corps At the completion of his Initial Employment Training, Sergeant Russell was posted to the 2nd/3rd Field Engineer Regiment.

During Sergeant Russell's service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following Operations:

• OPERATION BLAZER (Iraq) - 1997;
• OPERATION POLLARD (Kuwait) - 1998;
• OPERATION WARDEN (East Timor) - 1999;
• OPERATION TANAGER (East Timor) - 2000; and
• OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - 2002.

Sergeant Russell was awarded the following service medals:

• the Australian Active Service Medal with East Timor clasp and International Coalition Against Terrorism Clasp,
• the Afghanistan Campaign Medal,
• the International Forces East Timor Medal,
• the Australian Service Medal with Iraq clasp,
• the Australian Defence Medal,
• the United Nations Medal with the United Nations Transitional Authority East Timor Ribbon,
• the Infantry Combat Badge 
• the Returned from Active Service Badge