Operation PADANG ASSIST
Padang mission ends
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30 October - The ADF’s month-long mission to help those affected by a major earthquake that struck the Indonesian city of Padang has finished.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said the work done in the aftermath of the earthquake had strengthened the friendship between Indonesia and Australia.
“Your efforts contributed towards saving countless lives, establishing medical clinics, clearing landslides and repairing vital infrastructure,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
Among the many tasks achieved by the Australian contingent, 1.3 million litres of water was produced and distributed, 1300 patients were treated in a purpose-built medical facility, 63 buildings were assessed for structural integrity and more than 532 metric tons of humanitarian aid was flown into the region.
The final elements of the ADF’s Joint Task Force will depart Indonesia for Australia on the 2 November, after the closure of the Australian Army Primary Health Care Facility and its official handover to the local health authorities.
The Commander of the Indonesian Earthquake Relief Effort, Major General Tanjung, praised the Australians for their dedication to the relief effort in support of the Indonesian Defence Force (TNI).
“Your performance was outstanding to finish your mission in such a short time, we look forward to more opportunities to work together in the future,” Major General Tanjung said.
Joint Task Force Commander Colonel Mark Brewer said he was proud of the performance of his personnel during the operation.
“To see the Australian and Indonesian soldiers working side by side, forging friendships in the aftermath of a natural disaster, will be an enduring feature of this mission,” Colonel Brewer said.
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