United in grief

Members of 5 Avn Regt mourn the loss of nine ADF colleagues during their memorial service, held at RAAF Townsville on Friday, April 15. Photo by Cpl Kirk Peacock

By Cpl Damian Shovell

THE loss of nine ADF personnel in the crash of a Navy Sea King helicopter on the Indonesian island of Nias has been felt across the Army and its aviation community.

The nine died on April 2 when callsign Shark 02, based on HMAS Kanimbla, crashed while conducting an humanitarian aid sortie to the earthquake-ravaged island as part of Op Sumatra Assist II.

Of the 11 personnel on board the helicopter, only two survived. Six of those who died were members of the Navy and three were Air Force personnel.

Four helicopter crew members were among those killed.

The two survivors were evacuated by a second Sea King helicopter to Kanimbla for treatment before being returned to Australia.

The seven men and two women who lost their lives were: Sqn-Ldr Paul McCarthy, Flt-Lt Lynne Rowbottom, Sgt Wendy Jones, Leut Matthew Davey, Leut Matthew Goodall, Leut Paul Kimlin, Leut Jonathan King, PO Stephen Slattery and LS Scott Bennet.

A national commemorative service was held in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra on April 15.

It coincided with Army-wide commemorative services at 11am where the Australian National Flag was lowered to half-mast and soldiers paused for a minute’s silence to honour the fallen.

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said the Army appreciated the dedication, courage and actions of those personnel on Shark 02 during Op Sumatra Assist II.

“We remember their deeds while they operated alongside our soldiers during Op Sumatra Assist and Op Sumatra Assit II,” he said.

“On this occasion of great sadness the Australian Army honours their memory.” Representatives from across Army and the three services joined Prime Minister John Howard, friends and family at the commemorative service.

CO 5 Avn Regt Lt-Col Brett Greenland sent 17 members of 5 Avn Regt, many of whom served on Op Sumatra Assist, to attend the Canberra service and offered his condolences.

He said 5 Avn Regt had a strong working relationship with Kanimbla from deploying on exercises and operations in areas including the Solomon islands and Fiji and said many members felt a personal loss from the accident.

“Flt-Lt Rowbottom worked with the primary health care team at 5 Avn Regt, and another member of 5 Avn Regt, an ex-Navy serviceman, knew the Sea King pilot well,” he said.

He said the accident brought back memories of 5 Avn Regt’s Black Hawk tragedy in 1996 when 18 soldiers were killed.

“It rips up all sorts of memories in this unit from years ago,” he said. “We know how they feel.”

Online condolence books are available at www.navy.gov.au and www.raaf.gov.au/kanimbla/ index.htm.

THOSE WHOSE LIVES WERE LOST

Leut Matthew Davey Leut Davey was born in December 1973. After joining the Army Reserves in 2000, Leut Davey went on to become a medical officer, serving in several different Army health establishments. In 2002 he transferred to the RANR. He deployed to East Timor for Op Citadel and was eventually posted to HMAS Kanimbla’s Primary Casualty Reception Facility for Op Sumatra Assist.	Leut Matthew Goodall Born in 1980, Leut Goodall joined the Navy in 1998 as a Midn at ADFA. Following Observers course at RAAF East Sale from July 2001, his postings included 723 Sqn in 2002, 816 Sqn in 2003 and 817 Sqn, also in 2003. He was promoted to Leut in January 2004. Op Sumatra Assist was the first Operation Leut Goodall had served in.	LS Scott Bennet LS Bennet was born in New Zealand in 1968. After obtaining citizenship, he joined the Navy in 1990. Initially a Safety Equipment sailor, he converted to become a Boatswains Mate. He was promoted to LS in 1995 and served in East Timor in 1999. He requalified as an Aircrewman in 2003. Postings included Cerberus, Albatross, Hobart, 817 Sqn, 723 Sqn, Creswell and Kanimbla.
Leut Jonathan King Born in 1972, Leut King joined the Navy in 1996. Promoted to AB in 1998, his postings included Cerberus, Penguin, Shepparton and Cairns. He was commissioned in 2000 and appointed SBLT. He commenced the ADF Basic Pilot course in 2000. He was promoted to Leut in 2002. In 2003 he was posted to 817 Sqn. Op Sumatra Assist was his first operation.	Flt-Lt Lynne Rowbottom Born in 1962, Flt-Lt Rowbottom joined the Air Force as a nursing officer in 1996 at the age of 34. In 1999 after various postings, she was promoted to Flt-Lt. In 2001, she was posted to 323 Combat Support Sqn. She participated in Op Citadel in East Timor. In March 2005, Flt-Lt Rowbottom was deployed to Indonesia for Op Sumatra Assist II.	Leut Paul Kimlin Leut Kimlin was born in 1976. He joined the Navy in 1996 as a Midn to train as a pilot. After being promoted to SBLT in 1999, he deployed to East Timor. In 2001 he was posted to 817 Sqn. Promoted to Leut in 2002, he was posted to HMAS Kanimbla in 2003 for Op Falconer. Operations he participated in include Tanager, Relex, Bastille, Slipper, and Sumatra Assist.
PO Stephen Slattery PO Slattery was born in 1966 and joined the Navy in 1984. He was promoted to AB in 1986 and become a Medic in 1986. He was then promoted to LS in 1998 and PO in 2004. His postings include Stirling, Stuart, Penguin, Success, Cerberus, Albatross, Nirimba, Brisbane, Platypus, Perth, Waterhen, Kuttabul, HS Red and Kanimbla. Op Sumatra Assist was his first Operation.	SGT Wendy Jones SGT Jones was born in 1960 and joined the Air Force in 1990. Since then, she served on a variety of Air Force bases. Her qualifications and skills included Operation health support, life support skills and critical incident stress management - peer support. She served in East Timor on Op Catalyst before her most recent experience on Op Sumatra Assist.	Sqn-Ldr Paul McCarthy Born in 1974, Sqn-Ldr McCarthy joined the RAAF in 1995 as a medical officer. After completing Officer training at Point cook, he spent most of his career at Williamtown before being posted to Pearce in 2003. He had skills in Aeromedical evacuation and held an early management of severe trauma licence. He served in East Timor, Iraq and Op Sumatra Assist.