Operation PAPUA NEW GUINEA ASSIST : Image Galleries
05 December 2007
HMAS Wewak delivers aid to Gona Beach
Carrying 60 tonnes of water, rice and dried fish, the Royal Australian Navy Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) HMAS Wewak left the port of Lae on Papua New Guinea’s northern coast to deliver cargo of humanitarian aid to Gona Beach as part of Operation PNG Assist, to help the villages of Oro Province recover from devastating floods after Cyclone Guba.
Since leaving its home port at HMAS Cairns in Queensland, HMAS Wewak has already made trips to the area, carrying 190 tonnes of aid to the coastal areas hit by the floodwaters.
Unable to land at the beach due to silt build up caused by the affected rivers, the ship’s crew of 16 and groups of local volunteers have offloaded the cargo by hand to waiting banana boats which move the aid to shore.
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.
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| 20071203adf8262658_173 An Australian Army Aviation Black Hawk helicopter takes off out of Nadzab Airport in Papua New Guinea after refuelling to pick up more supplies and deliver them to outlying villages affected by the floods after Cyclone Guba during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 03 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071203adf8262658_271 Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Electronic Technician Chris Bowtell reflects as he awaits orders to set sail aboard the Landing Craft Heavy HMAS Wewak, to deliver more food, shelter and water to villages affected by flood in Papua New Guinea during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 03 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071203adf8262658_297 Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Andrew Riley checks the straps on a load of humanitarian aid before being given the order to set sail aboard Landing Craft Heavy HMAS Wewak, to deliver more food, shelter and water to villages affected by flood in Papua New Guinea during Operation PNG Assist. (Date taken: 03 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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