LCDR Matthew Bradley looks out from an Australian Navy Sea King helicopter from HMAS Kanimbla, flying relief supplies to isolated areas.

Photo: LEUT Fenn Kemp

By LEUT Fenn Kemp

Before the devastating tsunami on December 26, the town of Alu Abet had been a bustling community of 500 people.

A small yellow flag on a muddy hill is now all that marks the site where so many once lived.

HMAS Kanimbla’s Sea Kings are now flying regular humanitarian aid missions to communities like Alu Abet and others as far as 200km south of Banda Aceh.

Pilot LEUT Mike “Duck” Waddell was one of the first to fly into the area.

His concentration during landing was sorely tested by the sheer number of people.

“On our first drop there was so many of them we made the mistake of handing out extra things like muesli bars,” LEUT Waddell said.

“That really got them going.

We’ve since learnt to stick to the aid that we’ve been given.”

The villagers are now keen to show their appreciation to the Australians with smiles, handshakes and even the odd piece of fruit.

The Sea Kings have been chosen for the task because they are a more capable aircraft and able to operate further south than so many others.

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