Operation VIC FIRE ASSIST
16 February 2009
Operation VIC FIRE ASSIST
Members of the Australian Defence Force's Joint Task Force continue to work to restore access to communities and assess the extent of the destruction in the wake of the Victorian bushfires.
Defence’s contribution to the continuing bushfire crisis in Victoria has expanded to approximately 600 personnel with around 475 personnel currently engaged in providing specialist and emergency support to government agencies and a further 160 in the area to provide additional support when required.
To assist government agencies with the bushfire crisis response, the ADF has established a Victorian-based Joint Task Force (JTF) under the command of Brigadier Michael Arnold, the Commander of the Army’s 4th Brigade.
This JTF includes full-time and reserve Defence members, primarily from the Army’s 4 Brigade. Major contributing Units include the 4 Combat Engineer Regiment, 22 Construction Regiment, 4 Combat Service Support Battalion, 108 Signals Squadron and 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment.
A RAAF AP-3C Orion continues to provide aerial imagery of bush fire affected areas. This will enable the identification of residences affected by the fires.
| 20090211raaf8193387_0106 Private Adam Hillbrick, from 4 Combat Engineer Regiment's forestry unit, clears a large tree from the Strath Creek Road, near Broadford. (Date taken: 11 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090211raaf8193387_0112 Corporal Andrew Piechota from 31 Construction Regiment and Country Fire Authority member Peter Auty clear logs from the Strath Creek Road, near Broadford. (Date taken: 11 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090211raaf8193387_0170 Private Anthony Volpe, an Army Reserve soldier from 5/6 Royal Victorian Regiment, marks the position of a burnt out vehicle at Kinglake, jotting down its details. (Date taken: 11 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090211raaf8193387_0171 Private Anthony Volpe, an Army Reserve soldier from 5/6 Royal Victorian Regiment, marks the position of a burnt out vehicle at Kinglake, jotting down its details. (Date taken: 11 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090211raaf8193387_0190 Private Jono Horn (left) and Lance Corporal Brian Paterson (right), from 5/6 Royal Victorian Regiment, search properties at Kinglake. (Date taken: 11 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090211raaf8193387_0199 A RAAF AP-3C Orion surveillance aircraft circles over Kinglake. The Orion has been providing aerial imagery of bush fire affected areas. (Date taken: 11 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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