Operation SAMOA ASSIST
11 November 2009
Australian Navy Delivers Aid For Samoa Recovery
The Royal Australian Navy’s heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk yesterday docked in Apia, the capital of Samoa, to deliver humanitarian aid coordinated by AusAID as part of the ongoing support to Samoa and Tonga following the tsunami that devastated parts of both island nations on 30 September.
The Samoan Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and members of his cabinet were at the wharf yesterday to greet the Australians.
HMAS Tobruk’s Commanding Officer, Commander Peter Thompson, says the ship is loaded with over 500 tonnes of equipment and donations from Australia to assist Samoa and Tonga rebuild essential services damaged in the tsunami.
The Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Mr. Matt Anderson says the donation of relief aid including the Fire Truck from the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade will assist the communities greatly.
The AusAID relief package delivered by Tobruk also contains heavy earthmoving equipment and construction supplies to assist with the rebuilding operation, humanitarian aid and other items donated by non-government organisations in Australia. It also includes a large consignment of donated goods from the Australian community that was coordinated by the Samoan and Tongan High Commissions in Australia.
The delivery of this aid will bring the total assistance by the Australian Government, non government organisations and Australian communities to Samoa and Tonga to thirteen million dollars.
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HMAS Tobruk is berthed at Matautu Tai Wharf in Samoa's Capital City, Apia, as the Ship's Army Detachment assists in unloading Humanitarian Aid and equipment to the Pacific Island that was struck recently by a devastating tsunami, during Operation Samoa Assist.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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HMAS Tobruk's Ship's Army Detachment assist in unloading Humanitarian Aid and equipment whilst berthed at Matautu Tai Wharf in Samoa's Capital City, Apia, during Operation Samoa Assist.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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The Ships Army Detachment on HMAS Tobruk, crane off the fire truck that is being given to the Samoan Fire and Emergency Service, by the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Victoria Australia, after their Fire Truck was destroyed during the recent devastating tsunami in Samoa.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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The Ships Army Detachment on HMAS Tobruk, crane off the fire truck that is being given to the Samoan Fire and Emergency Service, by the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Victoria Australia, after their Fire Truck was destroyed during the recent devastating tsunami in Samoa.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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The Ships Army Detachment on HMAS Tobruk, crane off the fire truck that is being given to the Samoan Fire and Emergency Service, by the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Victoria Australia, after their Fire Truck was destroyed during the recent devastating tsunami in Samoa.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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A Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC-V) is loaded by a crane from the port side of HMAS Tobruk as the ship is berthed alongside Matautu Tai Wharf in Apia in the capital of Samoa during Operation Samoa Assist.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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The Ship's Army Detachment on HMAS Tobruk, crane pallets of Humanitarian Aid supplied by the Red Cross to assist Samoan people in the wake of the recent devastating tsunami in Samoa, on to Matautu Tai Wharf where the ship is berthed.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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Whilst on Operation Samoa Assist, HMAS Tobruk sails towards Samoa's capital city, Apia, to unload Humanitarian Aid and equipment to the Pacific Island that was struck recently by a devastating tsunami.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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Whilst on Operation Samoa Assist, HMAS Tobruk sails towards Samoa's capital city, Apia, to unload Humanitarian Aid and equipment to the Pacific Island that was struck recently by a devastating tsunami.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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HMAS Tobruk prepares to berth at Matautu Tai Wharf in Samoa's capital city, Apia, to unload Humanitarian Aid and equipment to the Pacific Island that was struck recently by a devastating tsunami during Operation Samoa Assist.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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HMAS Tobruk is berthed at Matautu Tai Wharf in Samoa's Capital City, Apia, preparing to unload Humanitarian Aid and equipment to the Pacific Island that was struck recently by a devastating tsunami, during Operation Samoa Assist.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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On the south coast of the Pacific Island of Samoa, there is still unbelievable scenes caused by a devastating tsunami recently, experienced by the pilot and aircrewman of HMAS Tobruk's N22 AS350B Squirrel helicopter conducting a reconnaissance flight of the island.
(Date taken: 09 November 2009)
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