Operation OUTREACH: Features
THE Australian Defence Force is one of the largest employers of indigenous workers in the country and has a long history of working closely with indigenous communities in areas of operation that are larger than many countries.
There are a number of areas that rely heavily on the input of indigenous soldiers, or in the case of Operation OUTREACH, see indigenous soldiers in the Northern Territory working to support remote communities.
ADF personnel are providing a range of support including logistics, transport, communication, liaison and the provision of health services. Joint Task Force 641 has a large number of indigenous personnel drawn primarily from NORFORCE. These soldiers' local knowledge and close links to the community are proving invaluable and is a significant contributor to the overall success of the operation.
Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston addresses the Indigenous Council each year to discuss a range of issues relating to indigenous personnel including ways to further increase their numbers in the ADF.
“Indigenous personnel have served in the ADF with distinction in all major conflicts since federation. They have made and continue to make an important contribution to ADF capability,” said Air Chief Marshal Houston.
Thousands of ADF personnel have worked as part of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) to provide vital infrastructure for remote indigenous communities.
The Regional Force Surveillance Units comprising NORFORCE, 51 Far North Queensland Regiment and the Pilbara Regiment are made of a large number of indigenous soldiers and provide an important surveillance and reconnaissance capability across the vast expanses of northern Australia.
“I am proud of the ADF's work as part of the whole of Government effort to support indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. The skills, local knowledge and experience that ADF personnel bring to the operation are making a real difference in the lives of fellow Australians,” said Air Chief Marshal Houston.
Operation OUTREACH
The Australian Defence Force's support to the Northern Territory Emergency Response Task Force is being coordinated under Operation OUTREACH, which began on 27 June.
Colonel Mark Shephard, who has extensive experience with the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program which has operated in remote communities for the past 11 years, has been appointed Commander of Operation OUTREACH's Joint Task Force 641 (JTF 641).
ADF support to the NT Emergency Response Task Force currently includes mobility, communications and sustainment assistance to police and civilian health teams, interagency liaison and assistance with the procurement and provision of medical stores and contracted trade services.
Small survey teams have commenced community engagement and area surveys in a number of communities across the southern half of the NT.
JTF 641 is currently based on NORFORCE, a Regional Force Surveillance Unit located throughout the NT. NORFORCE has built significant goodwill, trust and recognition in indigenous communities during the last 25 years. The unit has a high proportion of Aboriginal soldiers whose talents will be fully utilised. The unit also relies heavily on the commitment and local knowledge of the population of northern and central Australia to fulfil its role.
Figures (as of 18 July 07):
- 104 soldiers (all ranks);.
- Approximately 70% indigenous soldiers;
- Over 142,000 kilometres travelled;
- Over 19,000 kilometres by air;
- Approx 80 tonnes of stores delivered.
Further information:
- Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP)
- 1st Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU), NORFORCE