Image Gallery: November 2007
Australian aid arrives in Papua New Guinea
23 November 2007
The first of two Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules flights landed in Port Moresby just after dusk on 22 November, bringing humanitarian support as part of Operation PNG Assist, the Australian Defence Force’s support of the Papua New Guinean (PNG)-led disaster relief effort in Oro Province, which was struck by Cyclone Guba.
Joint Task Force 636, led by Group Captain Tim Innes, will provide assistance to help villagers injured and displaced by floods which have already claimed the lives of more than 150 people and cut off road access to the region.
A health assessment team has arrived and will report what is needed to help the victims of the disaster. They are joined by an engineering team who will assess the damage to local infrastructure including port facilities, roads and availability of water and sanitation.
Working with AusAID and other agencies, the ADF has established the most effective response and has sent a small support and command element in close consultation with Papua New Guinea’s Government.
Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules will be joined by three Caribou aircraft and three Black Hawk helicopters from the Australian Army to move aid into Oro province where the flooding has occurred.
A Royal Australian Navy Heavy Landing Ship (LCH) has also been made available and is on standby in Cairns if required.
Australia has always cherished a close friendship with Papua New Guinea and will always respond quickly and work in close cooperation when help is requested.
| 20071122adf8262658_006 Flight Lieutenant Brent Barker, from Coffs Harbour, of the 2nd Air Transportable Health Squadron (Tindal Detachment), checks the medical cargo in the back of C-130J Hercules on his way to Papua New Guinea, as part of the health assessment team, to inspect the destruction left by Cyclone Guba. (Date taken: 22 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071122adf8262658_032 Royal Australian Air Force C-130 J Hercules Pilot Flying Officer Adam Bendeich, from Singleton, checks his estimated time of arrival in Papua New Guinea, flying the first Australian C-130 J Hercules transporting humanitarian aid as part of Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 22 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071122adf8262658_043 C-130 J Hercules Pilot, Flying Officer Adam Bendeich, from Singleton, conducts his regular instrument check on the way to Papua New Guinea, with Flight Lieutenant Brent Barker, a Doctor with the 2nd Air Transportable Health Squadron, as they head towards Papua New Guinea in the first Australian C-130 J Hercules sent as part of Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 22 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071122adf8262658_064 Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Mr Chris Moraitis greets Pilot Flight Lieutenant Flynn Kenney, from Sydney (NSW) and Loadmaster of the first C-130 J Hercules flight with Operation PNG Assist, Sergeant Stuart Wilson, of Sydney, from the Richmond-based 37 Squadron. (Date taken: 22 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071122adf8262658_077 Royal Australian Air Force personnel help push the first pallet of humanitarian aid to arrive in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea out of the back of a C-130 J Hercules. (Date taken: 22 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071122adf8262658_082 Royal Australian Air Force personnel unload the first pallet of humanitarian aid at Port Moresby International Airport, Papua New Guinea from the back of a C-130 J Hercules. (Date taken: 22 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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