Operation KIRIBATI ASSIST
25 August 2008
Unexploded ordnance recovery on the island of Bataritari
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. 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.
| 20080817adf8239716_005 Joint Task Force 637 members from the Australian Army (L-R) Major Kevin Cuthbertson and Corporal Chris Deval are assisted by Maritime Police Sergeant Otia Nebati and Butaritari Police Sergeant Tiaontin Tamaiti in the recovery of World War II unexploded ordnance on Nantakana beach on the island of Bataritari. (Date taken: 17 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080817adf8239716_006 Joint Task Force 637 members from the Australian Army (L-R) Major Kevin Cuthbertson and Corporal Chris Deval are assisted by Maritime Policeman, Sergeant Otia Nebati and Butaritari police Sergeant Tiaontin Tamaiti in the recovery of World War II unexploded ordnance on Nantakana beach on the island of Bataritari. (Date taken: 17 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080818adf8239716_008 A carrying sling is prepared for the recovery of US Navy World War II 18 inch High Capacity Projectile weighing 127kg from the reef on Bataritari Island. (Date taken: 18 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080818adf8239716_011 Maritime Policeman Sergeant Otia Nebati assists members of the Joint Task Force 637 in the location of projectiles around the island of Butaritari by translating with the locals. (Date taken: 18 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080818adf8239716_015 United States of American Navy, World War II 18 inch High Capacity Projectile is removed from the reef on Bataritari Island by Corporal Chris Deval and Corporal Neil Willis. (Date taken: 18 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080818adf8239716_018 United States of American Navy, World War II 18 inch High Capacity Projectile is removed from the reef on Bataritari Island by Corporal Chris Deval and Sergeant Justin Poole. (Date taken: 18 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080818adf8239716_036 United States of American Navy, World War II 18 inch High Capacity Projectile is removed by members of Joint Task Force 637, (Left side front to rear) Corporal Chris Deval, Maritime Police Sergeant Otia Nebati, Butaritari Police Sergeant Tiaontin Tamaiti, Sergeant Steve Willshire, Corporal Mick Taylor and Corporal Neil Wills. (Date taken: 18 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080818adf8239716_038 United States of American Navy, World War II 18 inch High Capacity Projectile is removed from the reef on Bataritari Island. (Date taken: 18 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080819adf8239716_009 Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Mick Taylor (standing) assists Army Corporal Chris Deval move a World War II projectile from its resting place for the past 65 years. (Date taken: 19 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080819adf8239716_024 (L-R) Australian Army and Air Force members Major Kevin Cuthbertson, Major Graham Andrews, Sergeant Justin Poole and Neil Wills dig behind a local village in Butaritari after locals informed them of the possibility of projectiles. (Date taken: 19 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080819adf8239716_036 A World War II United States of American Naval 18 inch projectile weighing around 127kg was found by local people from the island of Butaritari. (Date taken: 19 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080819adf8239716_038 An elder from a village on the island of Butaritari, guides Operation Kiribati Assist members (L-R) Sergeant Steve Willshire and Corporal Chris Deval to a World War II, 18 inch projectile. (Date taken: 19 August 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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