Operation VIC FIRE ASSIST
16 February 2009
ADF bushfire relief efforts around Kinglake
Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reserve soldiers remain busy, delivering food parcels, improving fire breaks and containment lines, and putting tents and facilities into place to help accommodate, feed and support people left homeless by the Victorian bushfire disaster.
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 and Defence’s support, 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.
The number of personnel in the JTF will continue to fluctuate over the following week as emergency assistance task and the individual availability of reservist’s changes.
| 20090211adf8185016_0143 One of the many properties destroyed by the devastating Victorian bushfires. (Date taken: 11 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090214adf8185016_0002 Chaplain Robert Vun (left) helps to keep morale high as he moves around, chatting with the troops. Chaplian Vun is part of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the continuing bushfire crisis relief operation in Victoria. (Date taken: 14 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090214adf8185016_0089 Joint Task Force 662 (JTF662) soldiers unload fresh water for the troops, as part of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the continuing bushfire crisis relief operation in Victoria. (Date taken: 14 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090214adf8185016_0095 Joint Task Force 662 (JTF662) soldiers unload fresh water for the troops, as part of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the continuing bushfire crisis relief operation in Victoria. (Date taken: 14 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090214adf8185016_0183 Joint Task Force 662 (JTF662) Signalman Denise Cairns receives a situation report from a search team working in the Kinglake region, as part of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the continuing bushfire crisis relief operation in Victoria. (Date taken: 14 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090215adf8185016_0001 A smoky sky and the blackened silhouettes of burnt-out trees paint a sombre landscape around the Kinglake region. (Date taken: 15 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090215adf8185016_0040 Reverend Neville Kellam (left) chats with Lieutenant Colonel John Raike (centre) and Warrant Officer Class Two Brett Munford (right) about the needs of the parish, as part of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the continuing bushfire crisis relief operation in Victoria. (Date taken: 15 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090215adf8185016_0175 Lance Corporal Charles Stevenson assists Victoria Paramedics in treating patients at the Kinglake civil relief centre. (Date taken: 15 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090215adf8185016_0179 Corporal Vincent Kumar (left rear) assists Royal District Nurse Ann Ward (left front) treat a local man at the Kinglake civil relief centre, as part of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the continuing bushfire crisis relief operation in Victoria. (Date taken: 15 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090215adf8185016_0243 Navy Chaplain Jason Wright helps to keep morale high as he talks with troops. Chaplain Wright is deployed as part of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the continuing bushfire crisis relief operation in Victoria. (Date taken: 15 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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