07 February 2005
RAAF and Medical staff testimonials from Banda Aceh

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel are assisting Indonesian Government authorities as part of the Australian Government program of humanitarian relief following the Boxing Day tsunami.

The ADF has been working in support of tsunami disaster relief in Indonesia's North Sumatra and Aceh provinces since December 28.

Relief assistance provided by Australia is part of a co-operative effort involving the ADF, AusAID (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Emergency Management Australia.

Water, tentage, medical supplies, blankets, other emergency provisions and logistical support have been provided.

In the tsunami-devastated provincial capital of Banda Aceh, the ADF has set up a water purification plant and has established the ANZAC Field Hospital, a hospital operated jointly by medical personnel of the ADF and the New Zealand Defence Force.

The Australian Navy amphibious transport ship, HMAS Kanimbla, delivered a detachment of Australian Army engineers on January 13 and has taken up station as a floating support and logistics base for relief and reconstruction work.

20050125ran8100122_010 Able Seaman (ABMED) Judy Robinson in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) checking heart monitoring equipment. Judy Robinson is about to go ashore in Banda Aceh and doesn't know what to expect. "They are flat out over there" she says, "I'm keen to help in any way I can". The Tumut local (Tumut and Adelong Times) is one of a number of personnel on HMAS Kanimbla who have volunteered to go ashore. Condidtions in Banda Aceh's main hospital have improved significantly in the past month, but infection and Tetanus continue to claim lives. Back in Tumut, Judy's mum, 2 brothers and 3 sisters couldn't be more proud. "I'm just excited to be doing my bit" she says. (Date taken: 25 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050125ran8100122_035 Lieutenant (nurse) Jennifer Evans in the triage section of the main hangar on HMAS Kanimbla. When Jennifer Evans heard the Navy was sending a team of medical experts to tsunami devastated Aceh, she was one of the first to raise her hand. The 28 year old scrub nurse from Westmead hospital (Parramatta Advertiser) is no stranger to basic medicine, having worked as a volunteer in PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji over recent years. She's already been ashore to work in Banda Aceh's main hospital. "The injuries are different here" Jen agrees. While conditions in Banda Aceh have improved since the wave struck, infection and disease continue to strike down survivors. Jen found working in such conditions a very different challenge to what she was used to back home. "I've never seen Tetanus cases like this before, but being here has definitely been worthwhile" she says. Military service runs in the family. Jen's father is also in the RAN. Her brother is in the Army and her brother-in-law is in the RAAF. (Date taken: 25 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050127ran8097690_20 Corporal Simon Ramsay - 'A' Squadron, 5 Aviation Regiment (Tenterfield Star). Corporal Simon Ramsay has been in Banda Aceh since just days after the tsunami tragedy, but the Drake local still can't get over the destruction. "It looks like someone has gone through with a big brush and wiped the area clear" he says. But the 36 year old Avionics technician, from 'A' Squadron's 5 Aviation regiment has a job to do. The Australian Army Iroquois helicopters are running daily humanitarian aid missions to the worst hit parts of Aceh's southern coastline. Its Simon's job to make sure they run smoothly. "Its good to be here doing something" he says. And the ADF's hard work is beginning to pay off. The smiles on the faces of the survivors are thanks enough for Simon. "It makes you feel pretty good" he agrees. (Date taken: 27 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050127ran8097690_30 Sergeant Daniel Beamer 'A' Squadron, 5 Aviation Regiment (The Chronicle, Oakey). Even a month after arriving in tsunami devastated Aceh; Sergeant Daniel Beamer still can't believe the destruction. 'Its impossible to describe what's happenened here" he admits. "Entire townships are gone". As an avionics technician with 'A' squadron's 5 Aviation regiment, it's Sergeant Beamer's job to maintain the Army's Iroquois helicopters, which are running regular humanitarian aid drops down Aceh's southern coastline. With his family in Toowoomba, home for the time being is Banda Aceh airport, which is crammed with tents and troops from all over the world. One-time rivalries have been put aside as everyone pitches in to help the tsunami survivors. One incident in particular stands out in the Sergeant's mind. It began when an American "Seahawk" helicopter crashed in a field just next to the Australian camp. "We were the first to arrive at the scene" Sergeant Beamer recalls. There were 14 Americans onboard the aircraft. While most managed to escape the wreckage, one serviceman was lying unconscious face down in a pool of water. The Australians managed to scale a barbed wire fence and rush to the man's side, dragging him clear before he drowned. By this time, survivors were being helped by dozens of soldiers and aircrew who had also rushed to their aid. "Everyone from all nations dropped what they were doing to help," the Sergeant recalls. (Date taken: 27 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050127ran8097690_43 Squadron Leader Charles "Chuck" Robinson - RAAF Air Traffic Controller (Gippsland Times) Charles Robinson is the first to admit the deployment to tsunami stricken Aceh is harder than he expected. The deadly wave and the heavy rain which followed, turned the Australian camp at Banda Aceh airport into a quagmire. But the Gippsland local is proud to be doing his bit. "It doesn't matter what you see on television, it's a sensory overload when you get over here and see it for yourself," he admits. "But it's made us all even more determined to help these people". The airport's control tower was severly damaged in the earthquake, which triggered the tsunami, so the Australians are using a temporary facility next door. It's a massive task with almost 450 movements a day. Cultural differences have been set aside with the Indonesians who are delighted to share the heavy workload. (Date taken: 27 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res