Operation KIRIBATI ASSIST
11 August 2008
Troops arrive in Kiribati
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has deployed a small Joint Task Force to the small Pacific Island nation of Kiribati to commence Operation Kiribati Assist.
Operation Kiribati Assist is the ADF contribution to Australia’s response to a request from the Government of Kiribati to assist in the disposal of World War II unexploded ordnance (UXO) from locations throughout Kiribati.
The ADF has world-class skills, expertise and capability in conducting explosive ordnance disposal and is happy to be assisting our regional neighbour in clearing the threat posed by unexploded ordnance.
Joint Task Force (JTF) 637 will dispose of UXO identified during a 2007 reconnaissance of the islands and scope any future UXO disposal requirements and EOD training opportunities for the Kiribati Police Service during the deployment.
The JTF comprises approximately 22 people and includes a Command Group, a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team to handle underwater UXO, Army and RAAF EOD teams who will handle land based UXO, including air delivered items and a Medical Team.
The 33 islands of Kiribati are scattered across 3.5 million square kilometres of the Central Pacific and is the site where the Battle of Tarawa was fought in November 20th, 1943. Most UXO encountered in Kiribati are remnants from this conflict and include military ordnance such as artillery projectiles, aerial bombs, rockets, mortars and mines.
| 20080807adf8239716_010 (Left - Right) Mr John Brown and his wife Molly chat with tri-service medical staff Royal Australian Navy Doctor Lieutenant Sarah Anne Lockley (sitting), Leading Seaman Alexandra Thompson (standing) and Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Ian Sweeney (crouching). (Date taken: 07 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080807adf8239716_011 Australian Defence Force members clear immigration and customs at Kiribati airport prior to commencement of Operation Kiribati Assist. (Date taken: 07 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080807adf8239716_025 (Left - Right) Royal Australian Navy's Under Water Medic, Leading Seaman Alexandra Thompson helps Clearance Diver, Leading Seaman Aodh McHugh load equipment onto trucks for the beginning of Operation Kiribati Assist. (Date taken: 07 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080807adf8239716_034 Joint Task Force 637 Commander, Lieutentant Commander Etienne Mulder collects customs documentation on arrival in Kiribati. (Date taken: 07 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080807adf8239716_035 Operation Kiribati Assist Joint Task Force 637 arrive on the in Kiribati. (Date taken: 07 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080807adf8239716_052 Royal Australian Air Force Air Movements members help unload stores for Operation Kiribati Assist. (Date taken: 07 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080807adf8239716_059 Royal Australian Air Force Air Movements members help unload stores for Operation Kiribati Assist. (Date taken: 07 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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