Missions of mercy
The Air Force has again demonstrated its humanitarian role, this time providing aid to disaster victims in Iran and Niue, as Andrew Stackpool and LT Delizia Costa report

View Video of Operation Iran Assist (1.89Mb)

View Video of Operation Niue Assist (3.48Mb)

Corporal Mathew Davis, an avionics technician, and an Iranian soldier unload emergency supplies for survivors of the earthquake-devastated city of Bam. Photo by WO2 Bob O’Donahoo

Wing Commander Gary Martin, Mission Commander of Operation Iran Assist, on the flight deck of the Hercules enroute to Iran. Photo by WO2 Bob O’Donahoo

Warrant Officer Dave Cronan, a loadmaster, with Iranian soldiers who helped offload the humanitarian supplies, including medical supplies, cooking equipment, canvas tents, water purification material, blankets, plastic housing materials and fuel cans. Photo by WO2 Bob O’Donahoo

A C-130J Herc at RAAF Base Richmond is prepared for the arrival of essential supplies in support of Operation Niue Assist. Photo by SGT William Guthrie

Loadmaster Flight Sergeant Steve Skudder checks the load of supplies destined for Iran. Photo by WO2 Bob O’Donahoo

Flight Lieutenant Pete Cseh, pilot, directs the unloading of emergency supplies in Iran. Photo by WO2 Bob O’Donahoo

Corporal Simon Austin and Lieutenant Kurt Stahmer inspect the destruction caused by Cyclone Heta on Niue. The building in the background was once the Niue hospital. Photo by SGT William Guthrie

FOR most ADF personnel the Christmas/New year period is a chance to rest and reflect upon the previous year.

That wasn’t the case for air and ground crews at RAAF Base Richmond and members of No. 1 Health Support Battalion (1HSSB) at Holsworthy who were involved in two humanitarian operations – Iran Assist and Niue Assist.

On December 26 a massive earthquake that killed thousands of people and left thousands more injured and homeless devastated the Iranian city of Bam. The Australian Government promised a humanitarian airlift, the ADF activated Operation Iran Assist and RAAF Base Richmond swung into action.

A No. 37 Squadron C-130J and its crew of 10 under command of Wing Commander Gary Martin was prepared and loading crews worked round the clock to collect and load 23,000 pounds of medical and other immediate relief supplies.

By December 28 the massive stores pile was loaded and the Hercules lifted off. By midnight on December 30, 12,169km and seven time zones later, the aircraft landed at Kerman, Iran, where local military and international aid personnel quickly unloaded it.

After a short break for maintenance and rest the aircraft returned to Richmond on January 3.

WGCDR Martin said of the performance of his crew, “The late notice call out was well handled by the crew with three hours’ planning time allowed. The team focused on the task and achieved it in minimal time. It usually takes 15 days to gain the clearances necessary to travel across this many borders.

“There was outstanding support from headquarters on the requirement for maintenance aid when the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) needed to be replaced.”

The satisfaction gained from the mission was expressed by Corporal Daniel Ullmer, an aircraft technician: “I’m rewarded every day with the knowledge that I’m serving my country, but to be thanked by people from a country in need makes me feel extremely special.”

WGCDR Martin said of the mission to Iran, “It is about the humanitarian world as a whole, about people helping people and the need to eradicate borders. Australia always rises to the occasion to help.”

Richmond’s respite was short-lived. On January 9 another C-130J was tasked to land on the cyclone-ravaged Pacific Island of Niue with 25,000 pounds of emergency relief stores and 17 personnel from Army’s 1HSSB.

The short-notice deployment followed an urgent call for assistance that morning from the government of Niue. Again, Richmond’s ground staff responded and by 8pm the Hercules was on the way. Crossing the International Date Line it arrived at Niue at 7.40am on January 9, local time.

A No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron team unloaded the aircraft by hand on arrival as no loading equipment was available. Except for a six-wheeled vehicle, the team hand carried the entire cargo – more than 150,000 pounds – an impressive feat in one day.
The Army medics remained on the island for 14 days, during which time they treated some 400 patients, assisted with the restoration of the local health services and drinking water, and managed threats posed by vermin and insects.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said Australians should be proud of the “can do” attitude of the ADF personnel. “Their training and professionalism carry the day when responding to such disasters,” Senator Hill said.

For the ADF and particularly RAAF Richmond, 37SQN and 1HSSB it was another example of their versatility and reliability.

View an MPEG video taken from Operation Iran Assist.

View an MPEG video taken from Operation Niue Assist.

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