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LUGGAGE PLEASE: On the ground in Cyprus, SBLT Michael Scrase takes a well-earned drink break after unloading pallets of luggage ready for the evacuees to collect.
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Photo: SGT Katrina Johnson |
Volume
49, No. 14, August 10, 2006
By LCDR Terr Morrison
Three Navy personnel were a part of the 94-strong ADF team deployed as part of JTF 629 on Operation Ramp.
CMDR Chris Churcher, LCDR Terry Morrison and SBLT Michael Scrase were based in Cyprus, assisting the evacuation of Australian nationals out of Lebanon.
CMDR Churcher and LCDR Morrison were liaison officers, who spent the majority of their time working with the United Kingdom’s Joint Task Force that operated from the UK Sovereign Base Area near Episkopi in Southern Cyprus.
Tasks included working with the other liaison officers from the United States, Canada, France and the Netherlands.
The purpose of their work was to pass information to ensure successful coordination of the various ship and aircraft operations.
This included the coordination of the air bridge of Chinook and Sea King helicopters and the various chartered ferries and naval assets between Beirut and Cyprus.
SBLT Scrase is a Naval Investigator, who deployed to Cyprus as an advisor to the Commander of JTF 629, COL Andrew Condon.
When not employed with policing tasks, SBLT Scrase assisted with the processing of evacuees at Lemisoll Port, Cyprus.
“I think all Australians would be very proud of the work of the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Joint Task Force in their efforts to assist fellow Australians,” JTF 629 Commander COL Andrew Condon said.
“Australian evacuees seeing our troops in uniform and hearing a familiar accent has been comforting and reassuring for them.”
