3AW head to Afghanistan for Anzac Day

3AW are sending Justin Smith to Afghanistan next week for a series of special Anzac Day broadcasts.

Smith, producer Tom Andronas and tech Stephen Beers will be based at the Australian Defence Force headquarters in Tarin Kowt, in Oruzgan province.

On Anzac Day a special program will also be heard across the Fairfax Radio network.

Smith said this will be his first time in an active war zone.

“3AW 693 will be the only commercial radio presence in the region for Anzac Day. The ADF is embedding us with the 7RAR troops.

“I’ll have access to the men and women who are serving in active combat, bringing some of their stories to Australian radio listeners. I’ll be reporting throughout the week leading up to Anzac Day and preparing special interviews and vignettes of our troops to be heard back home.

“Since the Australian government has announced a timetable to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan, it’s an ideal time to see first-hand how our involvement has shaped the conflict."

National Content Director for Fairfax Radio Network Clark Forbes said:

"The network is privileged to have an extremely experienced radio team heading to a part of the world that most people will never experience to provide a unique insight to the lives of our soldiers.

"We're all very proud to be associated with what will be inspiring and poignant broadcasts.

"On ANZAC Day, the broadcast of the Dawn Service from the diggers' base at Tarin Kowt will be heard across Australia on the stations of the Fairfax Radio Network. It will certainly be a highlight of our Afghanistan broadcasts.”

Justin Smith will host live programs from Afghanistan on 3AW on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8pm – 9pm. He will then host an Anzac Day special from 8.30am.

The Anzac Day Dawn Service from Afghanistan will be broadcast nationally on the Fairfax Radio Network from 10.30 EST.