10 April 2005

Minister for Defence visits HMAS Kanimbla and the Indonesian island of Nias

The Minister for Defence, Robert Hill, on 9 April 2005 visited HMAS Kanimbla and the Indonesian island of Nias to meet and support ADF personnel working under Operation Sumatra Assist Phase 2 on humanitarian relief for earthquake victims. Following the 2 April crash of one of the ship's Sea King helicopters, in which nine members of Kanimbla's complement were killed, helicopter operations from HMAS Kanimbla have been reduced to a minimal emergency basis. Senator Hill saw that Kanimbla's complement, representing all three arms of Service of the Australian Defence Force, continue their commitment to helping Indonesia's earthquake victims. Medical teams continue going ashore in Nias to conduct daily clinics, providing initial treatment and assessing those requiring further medical attention. Kanimbla is supporting the medical work ashore with onboard medical facilities, including a surgical theatre, intensive care, X-ray, pathology and post-operative care. The ship is using its surface transport and landing capabilities to transship supplies for earthquake-affected townships.

Senator Hill was accompanied on his visit by the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie; Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston; the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, David Ritchie; and the Shadow Minister for Defence and Homeland Security, Robert McClelland, MP.

20050409ran8086543_049 The CO of HMAS Kanimbla, Commander George McGuire, greets the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston, on arrival in the town of Lahewa on Nias island to see humanitarian relief operations. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_050 The CO of HMAS Kanimbla, Commander George McGuire (left), greets Warrant Officer Navy, David Turner (right), who accompanied Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie (centre) in a 9 April visit to see Kanimbla's contribution to humanitarian relief efforts on the Indonesian island of Nias. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_052 Minister for Defence Robert Hill, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston, and the Shadow Minister for Defence and Homeland Security, Robert McClelland, receive a brief from Lieutenant Commander Peter Day on the medical situation in the town of Lahewa, on Nias island. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_053 The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie, Minister for Defence Robert Hill, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston, and Shadow Minister for Defence and Homeland Security, Robert McClelland, receive a brief on the medical situation ashore in the town of Lahewa, on Nias. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_054 The Chief of Air Force receives a brief from officers of HMAS Kanimbla on the humanitarian aid situation ashore in Lahewa, Nias island. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_056 Lieutenant Commander David Lassam, from Balmoral Naval Hospital, Sydney, briefs the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston, about the work of medical teams from HMAS Kanimbla ashore on earthquake affected Nias island. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_057 Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie speaks with the CO of HMAS Kanimbla, Commander George McGuire, and his officers, about the humanitarian aid effort in the township of Lahewa, on Nias island. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_058 The CO of HMAS Kanimbla, Commander George McGuire, briefs Minister for Defence Robert Hill about the situation ashore in the earthquake-affected town of Lahewa. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_060 The Shadow Minister for Defence and Homeland Security, Robert McClelland, MP (left) and the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston, observe ADF medical teams carrying out routine medical checks on townsfolk of the earthquake affected Indonesian island of Nias. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_061 Able Seaman CIS Matt Groves and Able Seaman CK Megan Wilcox with a group of Indonesian children among the townsfolk of Lahewa, Nias island, waiting for attention at a medical clinic run by teams from HMAS Kanimbla. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_066 Minister for Defence Robert Hill and officials disembark from a truck used to transport them to see humanitarian assistance work by ADF personnel from HMAS Kanimbla in the town of Lahewa, on Nias island. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_070 Minister for Defence Robert Hill arrives in the earthquake affected town of Lahewa on the northern coast of the Indonesian island of Nias. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_075 POPT Anthony Wilson listens as the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie, speaks to HMAS Kanimbla ships company. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_080 SMNBM Beau Thomas and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie cut a cake to mark the 100th day that Kanimbla has been away from Fleet Base East since sailing for OP Sumatra Assist. Seaman Thomas, age 19, was given the privilege of cutting the cake with CN as the youngest member of the ships company. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_082 POPT Anthony "Tug" Wilson chats with Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie during a visit to HMAS Kanimbla while on station for Operation Sumatra Assist Phase 2. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_084 Navy radiographer Lieutenant Tracey Elliott (left) and Air Force orthopaedic surgeon Squadron Leader Annette Holian (centre) speak with the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston . LEUT Elliott and SQLDR Holian are members of the Primary Casualty Resuscitation Facility (PCRF) on board HMAS Kanimbla. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_088 Shadow Minister for Defence and Homeland Security, Robert McClelland, MP chats with CPOMED Roland Biswas on HMAS Kanimbla. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_091 The Executive Officer of HMAS Kanimbla, LCDR Mark Leach, speaks with the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, David Ritchie. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050409ran8086543_094 SMNBM John Norris of HMAS Kanimbla talks with Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050409ran8086543_098 Robert Hill meets members of the Primary Casualty Resuscitation Facility (PCRF) on board HMAS Kanimbla. (Date taken: 09 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res