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LOGISTICS |
By
CPL Cameron Jamieson
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The
Force Support Element in Butterworth is a tri-Service
logistic node for moving disaster relief stores and
equipment into Indonesia.
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No.
324 Combat Support Squadron have been praised for
setting up “a template logistic-node solution”.
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Many
people are doing new jobs for the first time – for
example, handling Navy stores.
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DISASTER
relief operations consume aid supplies and equipment by the tonne,
and you need more than heaven and earth to move them.
You need muscle and organisation, and this is why the Force Support
Element in Butterworth (FSEBW) was created. The genesis of FSEBW
can be traced back to the hours following the disastrous Boxing
Day 2004 earthquake and tsunami.
One of the first ADF teams to swing into action on Boxing Day
was the staff of the Logistic Support Force Headquarters in Randwick,
Sydney.
Recognising the magnitude of the disaster and the likelihood of
ADF involvement in the nation’s response, the planning staff went
straight to work on contingency plans.
One of those planning officers was Major Peter Williams, who soon
found himself plucked from the familiar surrounds of Sydney and
sent to the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Butterworth, Northwest
Malaysia, where he now commands FSEBW.
Major Williams described FSEBW as an important logistic node for
the movement of disaster relief stores and equipment into Indonesia.
“The process of establishing FSEBW as part of the Australian response
to the natural disaster had been relatively easy, thanks to the
support of the RAAF,” he said.
“The Air Force element in location here, No. 324 Combat Support
Squadron, had already been involved in the process of setting
up for the operation.
“They had already identified areas on the base to work from, so
the facilities we have for our headquarters, terminal operations
and warehousing operations are perfect for the job. As far as
real estate is concerned, you could almost say this was a template
logistic-node solution for disaster relief operations.”
Using experience learnt on previous operations, the tri-service
organisation has been dynamic in tackling the task of moving supplies.
“FSEBW is a joint organisation, with Navy, Army and Air Force
personnel in the headquarters, and they have come together well.”
“Some
people are learning new jobs, and we are trying different ways
of doing business.
“For example, for many Air Force and Army personnel this is the
first time they have critically managed Navy stores. Stock is
landing here for HMAS Kanimbla, and Army and Air Force personnel
are moving it forward to the ship.”
The personnel of FSEBW fall under the command of Combined Joint
Task Force 629, the Australian-led task force assigned to the
Indonesian Government to assist them with their disaster relief
operations.
This means the FSEBW personnel are subject to the same restrictions
as their colleagues in Indonesia – no local leave and no consumption
of alcohol but this hasn’t affected morale as there is a feeling
of solidarity between them and the Indonesians.
“The people here understand the importance of keeping the supplies
flowing to the force elements in Indonesian,” Major Williams said.
“Their dedication to the task is 100 per cent.”
