25 clearance divers from AUSCDTTHREE have been involved in vital
below the surface operations aimed at clearing the channel leading
to Umm Qasr, Iraq's only deep sea port. The channel will see ships
carrying humanitarian aid, including two bulk carriers with wheat
donated by Australia, stream through. Often working in murky water
and using just the touch of their fingers, the Australians have
already located and destroyed more than 60 pieces of underwater
ordnance.
Marines
have been landed by the two 70-tonne LCM8s carried on the forward
deck of Kanimbla. The Marines encountered stubborn resistance
from the Iraqis and called for heavy gun support on a number of
occasions. This saw scores of rounds fired from Anzac's 5-inch
rapid fire gun (story P3).
RHIBs
from Kanimbla went to check three vessels, one a tug. On board
they found 86 mines. Some were of the type sent to the seabed
and detonated by the 'signature' of a ship passing above. Others
were the standard type, either chained just beneath the surface
or free floating. Also found were AK 47 rifles and boxes of ammunition.
A total of 50 crewmen were transferred to the 8,450-tonne Kanimbla
to be later landed.
RAN
medics gave treatment to a seriously ill crewman found on a dhow.
In
the air, the Shark 07 Sea King attached to Kanimbla and the Tigers
77 and 85 Seahawks, attached to the frigates Darwin and Anzac,
have done yeoman service in support of the Coalition ships and
those ashore.
The
RAN has more than 800 men and women committed to Op Falconer.
Most are in the three warships, however there are others providing
logistics ashore, working as divers or supporting CAPT Peter Jones
in his task group command. Back in Australia thousands of other
RAN personnel and Defence civilians are working long hours providing
support to those deployed.
More
than 8100 Australians have emailed and faxed messages of support
for our troops deployed.
