Operation KIRIBATI ASSIST
14 August 2008
Demolition of the first batch of WWII Munitions
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.
| 20080812adf8239716_019 The culmination of the day's work. Detonating cord linked six separate explosive charges to the unexploded ordnance, which included four Japanese High Explosive projectiles filled with picric acid, a Japanese small mine, and an 8 inch common Japanese High Explosive projectile. In addition to disposing of the unexploded ordnance, the series of explosions also built a knowledge base for future clearance demolitions. (Date taken: 12 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080812adf8239716_050 (L-R) Corporal Chris Deval and Sergeant Steve Willshire prepare to dispose of unexploded ordnance on the central island of Tarawa as part of Operation Kiribati Assist. (Date taken: 12 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080812adf8239716_054 (L-R) Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers, Leading Seaman Robert Court and Seaman Adoh MacHugh, set up for detonation during Operation Kiribati Assist. (Date taken: 12 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080812adf8239716_085 Members of Joint Task Force (JTF) 637 prepare to move a Japanese shallow water sea mine for disposal. (Date taken: 12 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080812adf8239716_099 (Back to camera) Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Neil Wills, Army Sergeant Steve Willshire and Air Force Sergeant Justin Poole stack sandbags prior to the disposal of unexploded ordnance. (Date taken: 12 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080812adf8239716_114 Members of the Explosive Ordnance team prepare recovered munitions for detonation, during Operation Kiribati Assist. (Date taken: 12 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080812adf8239716_141 Commander of Operation Kiribati Assist, Lieutenant Commander Etienne Mulder (right), , helps (from left) Major Kevin Cuthbertson and Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Ralph Dunn to pack sandbags around an 8 inch High Expolsive projectile, in preparation for its disposal. (Date taken: 12 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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