Media Room: Defence Alert

What: A RAAF Boeing 707 will land in Brisbane International Airport, bringing home 55 sailors, soldiers and airmen from Operation Sumatra Assist Phase II.

Where: Brisbane International Airport

When: 7:20pm Saturday, 16 April, 2005.

Who: Commanding Officer of the 2nd Health Support Battalion, LTCOL Ian Spiers will be available for interviews.

Operation Sumatra Assist Phase II is the Australian Defence Force humanitarian mission to provide emergency disaster relief to the earthquake devastated Nias Island in Indonesia. Following the ADF’s much needed emergency assistance to Nias Island, Australian Defence involvement is currently winding down.

The majority of members aboard the Boeing 707 are medical staff who worked tirelessly on HMAS Kanimbla within the Primary Casualty Reception Facility. This group was orgmented with full time and reserve members of the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Media Contact: Media wishing to attend please advise Mr Paul Lineham on Mobile: 0408 972 329 for arrangements.