Phase two of disaster relief
Medics return to Indonesia

Load: Personnel on HMAS Kanimbla restock at Singapore before sailing to Nias. Photo by AB Bradley Darvill

Home: Pte Alex Shain, 1HSB, is all smiles as she embraces her father on her return from Op Sumatra Assist. Photo by Phil Barling

Thanks: Kol Laut Semi Djoni Putra, TNI AL, and Brig Dave Chalmers (CJTF) exchange gifts at the changing of commanders. Photo by AB Bradley Darvill

By Cpl Damian Shovell

THIRTY-one medical personnel from 2HSB are providing emergency surgical treatment to the casualties of the March 29 earthquake off Sumatra.

Brisbane-based 2HSB personnel form the bulk of the 53-man joint medical team commanded by CO 2HSB Lt-Col Ian Spiers, who deployed with the team by air on March 31.

The earthquake, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, destroyed 30 per cent of buildings in the major city of Gunung-Sitoli on Nias Island, which bore the brunt of the force. Hundreds are confirmed dead on Nias.

The ADF’s mission to provide immediate disaster relief has been termed Op Sumatra Assist Phase II. The operation is a continuation of the mission to Aceh that ended only days before the second disaster. The last members of the task force, led by Brig Dave Chalmers, that had performed relief work in Aceh for three months left on March 25.

A three-man Army reconnaissance team deployed on March 30 on board one of two RAAF C-130s carrying medical supplies and an aeromedical evacuation team, and assessed the situation ahead of the medical team’s arrival by Air Force B707 the following day.

CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove issued an order of the day commending the good work already done by the ADF in Aceh, and recognised that for many personnel involved in the second phase of the operation, it signifies an extended deployment.

“A time of great need has again arisen in the aftermath of Monday night’s earthquake that struck in the vicinity of Nias Island,” he said.

“The ADF is once again responding to provide humanitarian assistance to our near neighbours. I have every confidence that the [personnel] involved in Op Sumatra Assist II will display the energy and compassion in fulfilling their duties for which the ADF is renowned.”

HMAS Kanimbla was redirected to Indonesia from Singapore – 11 days from its anticipated arrival at Sydney’s Fleet Base East – to continue its contribution to disaster relief operations which began after the Boxing Day tsunami.

Kanimbla is providing medical support, helicopter operations and surface transport.

All Army personnel involved in the first part of Op Sumatra Assist, with the exception of those deployed on Kanimbla, had returned to Australia before the latest disaster.

For coverage of the first phase of Op Sumatra Assist, see Incoming magazine.