Operation PAPUA NEW GUINEA ASSIST : Image Galleries
29 November 2007
Relief aid at Girua Airfield
Girua Airfield has become a scene of heightened activity as representatives of the Australian Defence Force, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, AusAID and the Salvation Army, stepped up the processing and distribution of aid to waiting aircraft, in the wake of floods that devastated Oro province in Papua New Guinea after Cyclone Guba.
The former World War Two base has received a new generation of military aircraft that’s been joined by civilian helicopters, in an effort to move vast amounts of food, shelter and medicine to those effected by the disaster.
Set up and run by the 382nd Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron (ECSS), the forward operating base has turned the quiet airstrip into an airport with capabilities in handling air traffic and cargo that rivals Port Moresby International and provides administrative logistics support, to ADF activities in the region.
Operation PNG Assist, is the Australian Defence Force’s mission to provide substantial disaster relief assistance to Papua New Guinea, as they help villages destroyed by flooding in the wake of Cyclone Guba.
Working with AusAID and other agencies, The ADF has established the most effective response and has sent over a small support and command element. Joint Task Force (JTF) 636, under the command of Group Captain Tim Innes, will coordinate ADF support in close consultation with Papua New Guinea’s Government.
Royal Australian Air force C-130 Hercules will be joined by three Caribou aircraft and three Black Hawk helicopters from the Australian Army to move aid into Oro province where the flooding has occurred.
| 20071127adf8262658_112 Villagers and Royal Australian Air Force personnel help push a load of relief supplies to a RAAF Caribou bound for villages ravished by recent floods after Cyclone Guba in Oro Province in Papua New Guinea during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 27 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071127adf8262658_325 Australian Army Aviation Black Hawk helicopters from B Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment fly into Girua Airfield, ready to be loaded with relief aid to outlying villages in Papua New Guinea during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 27 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071127adf8262658_377 Australian Army Aviation Aircrewman Loadmaster Trooper Brett Richards with Corporal Phillip Waibaru of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, and Craftsman Shannon Carey from B Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, before checking their seat belts as they prepare to lift out with humanitarian aid for the flooded villages of Oro province in Papua New Guinea during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 27 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071127adf8262658_385 Australian Army Aviation Black Hawk helicopters from B Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, fly out of Girua Airfield with water shelter and medical supplies for the flood stricken villagers in Papua New Guinea during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 27 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071127adf8262658_440 Mr Chris Moraitas, Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, checks logs with an ADF member during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 27 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071127adf8262658_573 Corporal Phillip Waibaru of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Craftsman Shannon Carey from B Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, take some time out after helping load up a Black Hawk helicopter with water, shelter and medical supplies to the flood-stricken villages in Papua New Guinea during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 27 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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