08 April 2005

RAAF Base Richmond hold memorial service

Units and formations across the Australian Defence Force have been holding memorial services for nine comrades of the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force who died in a helicopter accident on Nias Island, Indonesia, on 2 April 2005 while supporting earthquake relief under Operation Sumatra Assist Phase II.

Their remains were returned to Australia on 5 April.

The Navy amphibious transport ship deployed in support of earthquake relief in Indonesia, HMAS Kanimbla, conducted a memorial service to coincide with the arrival in Australia of the remains of the deceased members of the ship's complement.

The nine deceased ADF members were honoured at a ceremony on their arrival in Sydney on 5 April attended by dignitaries from Australia and Indonesia including: the Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery; the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; the Prime Minister, John Howard; Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove and the Chiefs of Navy, Army and Air Force.

Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond held a memorial service on 7 April to honour those who died in the Sea King helicopter accident.

This service was held in the RAAF Base Richmond Air Movements Terminal by the base chaplains; Chaplain Knight, Chaplain Naylor, and Chaplain Mattner, with attendance of Base personnel.

000175800_0010 Chaplains from Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond hold a memorial service on 7 April for those killed in a Sea King helicopter crash in Indonesia. (Date taken: 07 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	000175800_0011 At a memorial service in RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, for the Sea King helicopter crash victims, Air Force Chaplain Naylor addresses the congregation. (Date taken: 07 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
000175800_0021 At a memorial service in RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, Air Force Chaplain Naylor says a prayer for the Sea King helicopter crash victims. (Date taken: 07 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	000175800_0036 At a memorial service in RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, personnel from Royal Australian Air Force members pay homage to comrades lost in the Sea King helicopter crash. (Date taken: 07 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
000175800_0065 Candles at a memorial service in RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, on 7 April, represent ADF members killed in the 2 April crash in Indonesia of a RAN Sea King helicopter. Musicians from the brass section of the Royal Australian Air Force Air Command band play in the background. (Date taken: 07 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	000175800_0069 At a memorial service in RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, (L-R) Chaplain Mattner, Chaplain Knight and Chaplain Naylor sign remembrance books for those killed in a Sea King helicopter crash in Indonesia. (Date taken: 07 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
000175800_0075 At a memorial service in RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, (L-R) Chaplain Knight, Chaplain Naylor and Chaplain Mattner stand in prayer for those killed in a Sea King helicopter crash in Indonesia. (Date taken: 07 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res