In 2021, the Australian Peacekeeper & Peacemaker Veterans’ Association (APPVA) first proposed developing a project to document and seek funding to mark the closing chapter of the Namibia deployment, 35 years after the mission.

In late 2025, a grant application was approved and filming commenced during the 17 Construction Squadron Workshops reunion in Brisbane.

In 2026, former Prime Minister John Howard OM AC—who was Treasurer when the decision was made to deploy—and Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Ret)—who served as a Planning Officer—were interviewed in Sydney to reflect on the early stages of the UNTAG deployment.

Final Australian filming and interviews will be conducted in Canberra on 29 May 2026, focusing on remembrance and the UNTAG Land Rover at the Australian War Memorial.

Key Themes

The project explores several important aspects of the deployment, including:

• The political drivers behind the deployment—largely unknown in 1989 until recently
• Military planning and earlier aborted attempts to deploy
• Australia’s involvement during the Nine Day War
• The logistical challenges of the mission
• Reflections from veterans, partners, children, and Namibians connected to the deployment

The Documentary will be completed by Quarter 3 2026