Operation Burnham was a joint military operation undertaken by the New Zealand Special Air Service and elements of the Afghan Crisis Response Unit and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan's Tirgiran Valley on 21–22 October 2010. Operation Burnham became the subject of the investigative journalists Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson's book Hit & Run: The New Zealand SAS in Afghanistan and the meaning of honour, which alleged that New Zealand forces had committed war crimes against civilians in the Naik and Khak Khudday Dad villages.
Two members of the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan province in July 2009
Nicky Hager, one of the co-authors of the book Hit and Run.
Lieutenant general Jerry Mateparae briefed Prime Minister John Key about the planning for Operation Burnham.
The NZSAS cooperated with Afghan security forces including the National Directorate of Security.
New Zealand Special Air Service
The 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment, abbreviated as 1 NZSAS Regt, is the special forces unit of the New Zealand Army, closely modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS). It was formed on 7 July 1955. It traces its origins to the Second World War and the famous Long Range Desert Group that New Zealanders served with.
Escorting a U.S. military port survey team in East Timor in September 1999
The casket of Corporal Douglas Grant at Papakura Army Camp