Operation KIRIBATI ASSIST
18 August 2008
Second Batch of Destroyed 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 thoughout 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. The JTF comprises of 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 atolls 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.
| 20080814adf8239716_099 Ordnance remnants including five 100lbs bomb, from World War II were detonated off the Island of Tarawa by the Joint Task Force. (Date taken: 15 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080814adf8239716_157 Royal Australian Air Force Sergeant Justin Poole (standing) and Corporal Mick Taylor attach detonation cord to unexploded ordnance found on the Island of Tarawa in Kiribati. (Date taken: 15 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080815adf8239716_005 Officials from the Island of Tarawa in Kiribati, pose for a photograph with the Task Force Commander, while Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Mike Taylor holds shrapnel from the disposal of unexploded ordnance. (Date taken: 15 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080815adf8239716_009 Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Mike Taylor holds up shrapnel as the Joint Task Force Commander, Lieutentant Commander Etienne Mulder meet wtih the Chief Clerk of Betio Town Council Mrs Karakeman Teioo. (Date taken: 15 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080815adf8239716_011 Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Mike Taylor holds up shrapnel as the Joint Task Force Commander, Lieutentant Commander Etienne Mulder meets Assistant Commissioner Lotita Karawete. (Date taken: 15 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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