CPL Garry Travers assists in evacuating NT residents Raylene Duncan and Cheraleen Crowson, courtesy of a Hercules.

An Air Force Hercules from Darwin, airlifted urgently needed food supplies to communities isolated by floodwaters in the Northern Territory, in late February.

Aboriginal communities in the Victoria River Downs area have felt the effects of huge down pours, which resulted in the evacuation of three communities, namely Pigeon Hole, Daguragu, and Kalkaringi.

Some 750 people were evacuated to the Katherine Showgrounds where the RAAF participated in the emergency situation by transporting food and supplies to remote regions and emergency areas, catering with Red Cross volunteers for the hungry families, and setting up tents and stretchers for those left homeless. The operation was a large and united effort by Air Force personnel.

Members from 322 Combat Support Squadron's Logistics Support Flight (LSF), Health Services Flight (HSF), Operations Support Flight (OSF) and Personnel Support Flight (PSF), and 75SQN all contributed to the smooth running of the operation.

RAAF personnel load a Hercules with food and supplies for communities isolated by floodwaters in the NT.

Maintenance of the 50 tents was required every few days, due to the continuing rain making the ground soft. Members from RAAF Tindal catering section did themselves proud, as the task of feeding 750 people three times a day was a huge effort.

The Sergeant and Officers messes were closed for the catering section to manage this and all the hard work paid off. HSF assisted with mosquito controls and PSF, LSF, OSF and 75SQN provided tent assembly and disassembly crews.

The request from the Northern Territory Counter Disaster Council to Emergency Management Australia for Commonwealth assistance to transport some 12 tonnes of essential food and an electrical generator was approved by Dr Brendan Nelson, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence.

'The request for Commonwealth assistance indicated that essential food supplies remaining in the community would last no longer than three days,' Dr Nelson said.

Shanon Ricky and Kelvin Albert from Daguraga, play amidst the frenetic work activity at the Katherine Showground.

All the help and effort put in by participating sections from RAAF Tindal, succeeded in making this relief effort every bit of a success and they deserve a big pat on the back for their hard work and dedication.

When a huge effort goes into something as big as this, you always hear about the mishaps that may have occurred, but never about the excellent job done. So for a change, here's to a good job. Well done RAAF Tindal.

By FLTLT Tony Cook
Photographs by SGT John Carroll