07 March 2005
Medics return home

The ADF has been 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 Northern Sumatra and Aceh Provinces since 28 December 2004.

Relief assistance provided by Australia is part of a co-operative effort involving the ADF, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and Emergency Management Australia. Water, tentage, medical supplies, blankets, and other emergency provisions, and logistical support have been provided.

In the tsunami-devastated provincial capital of Banda Aceh, the ADF set up a water purification plant and established the ANZAC Field Hospital.

ADF and New Zealand Defence Force medical personnel jointly operated infectious diseases and surgical facilities at the field hospital, co-located with the heavily damaged Banda Aceh public hospital.

The ANZAC Field Hospital performed its final operation on 20 February before handover of its facilities to Indonesian civilian management supported by AusAID.

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

20050304CPA8025730_009 Chief of Army LTGEN Peter Leahy and Commander LSF, BRIG Michael Kehoe joined families at Sydney International Airport to welcome back personnel from OP Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 06 March 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050304CPA8025730_016 Chief of Army LTGEN Peter Leahy and Commander LSF, BRIG Michael Kehoe joined families at Sydney International Airport to welcome back personnel from OP Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 06 March 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050304CPA8025730_029 Chief of Army LTGEN Peter Leahy and Commander LSF, BRIG Michael Kehoe joined families at Sydney International Airport to welcome back personnel from OP Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 06 March 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050304CPA8025730_032 Chief of Army LTGEN Peter Leahy and Commander LSF, BRIG Michael Kehoe joined families at Sydney International Airport to welcome back personnel from OP Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 06 March 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050304CPA8025730_033 Chief of Army LTGEN Peter Leahy and Commander LSF, BRIG Michael Kehoe joined families at Sydney International Airport to welcome back personnel from OP Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 06 March 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res