02 April 2005
RAAF C-130J Hercules delivers relief supplies to Indonesia

Prime Minister John Howard announced on 30 March that Australia would respond to the Indonesian Government request for humanitarian relief assistance following the 29 March earthquake which affected a large area of Sumatra devastated by the Boxing Day 2004 tsunamis.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution forms part of the Australian Government’s response to this latest incident to affect Indonesia and has been named Operation Sumatra Assist - Phase II.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said that ADF planners have prepared ADF personnel and assets to provide emergency assistance, primarily in the form of medical support, in close cooperation with Indonesian authorities.

The initial response is being delivered by C-130 Hercules aircraft and by the Australian Navy amphibious transport ship, HMAS Kanimbla, which carries onboard medical and helicopter supply and transport capabilities.

20050401adf8094997_020 Indonesian officials supervise the unloading of humanitarian aid supplies from an Australian C-130J Hercules at Sibolga airport, West Sumatra, Indonesia, to be transported to the people of the earthquake-affected island of Nias. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050401adf8094997_029 Humanitarian aid supplies are unloaded from an Australian C-130J Hercules at Sibolga airport, West Sumatra, Indonesia, to be transported to the people of the earthquake-affected island of Nias. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050401adf8094997_033 Humanitarian aid supplies are unloaded from an Australian C-130J Hercules at Sibolga airport, West Sumatra, Indonesia, to be transported to the people of the earthquake-affected island of Nias. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050401adf8094997_036 An Australian C-130J Hercules arrives at Sibolga airport, West Sumatra, Indonesia, to deliver much needed humanitarian aid supplies to be transported to the people of the island of Nias. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050401adf8094997_041 An Australian C-130J Hercules at Sibolga airport, West Sumatra, Indonesia, discharges much needed humanitarian aid supplies to be transported to the people of the earthquake-affected island of Nias (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050401adf8094997_077 An Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules takes off from Sibolga airport, in West Sumatra, Indonesia, after dropping off humanitarian relief supplies for the earthquake victims of Nias island. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res