Operation KIRIBATI ASSIST
11 August 2008
Collection and Identification
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.
| 20080810adf8239716_019 Lieutenant Stacey Craigie from the Royal Australian Navy’s Clearance Diving Team One meets with local children on Operation Kiribati Assist. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_024 Lieutenant Stacey Craigie from the Royal Australian Navy's Clearance Diver Team One, tests out her transport with the assistance of Police Officer Johnson. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_043 The central pacific island of Tarawa in Kiribati. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_045 The central pacific island of Tarawa in Kiribati. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_050 The central pacific island of Tarawa in Kiribati. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_066 Major Kevin Cuthbertson and Corporal Chris Deval work on the identification of unexploded ordnance. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_068 Major Kevin Cuthbertson works on the identification of unexploded ordnance left on the reefs after the Battle of Tarawa in 1943. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_071 Major Graeme Andrews inspects unexploded ordnance prior to its disposal. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_072 (Left - Right) Major Graeme Andrews, Sergeant Steven Willshire and Corporal Chris Deval inspect explosive ordnance prior to its disposal. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_074 Royal Australian Air Force Sergeant Justin Poole calulates the explosive ordnance and charge required for the disposal of World War II unexploded ordnance with the assistance of Major Kevin Cuthbertson and Corporal Neil Willis. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_075 Leading Seaman Alexandra Thompson is an Underwater Medic preparing medical stores in the operational resuscitation bay. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_084 Leading Seaman Aodh "Google" McHugh, a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver, completes paper work as part of his operational checks prior to diving. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080810adf8239716_096 Major Kevin Cuthbertson inspects remnants of the fortifying defences left by the Japanese Army on the central island of Tarawa in Kiribati. (Date taken: 10 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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