21 January 2005
Imagery from Operation Sumatra Assist

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 28 December 2004.

Relief assistance provided by Australia is part of a co-operative effort involving the ADF, DFAT (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 have set up a water purification plant and have established the Anzac Field Hospital, a field 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 an 13 January, and has taken up station as a floating support and logistics base for relief and reconstruction work.

20050118ran8097690_016 A US Navy MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from USNS Niagara Falls delivers stores with a procedure called vertical replenishment to the Royal Australian Navy amphibious transport ship, HMAS Kanimbla, on tsunami relief operations off the coast of Indonesia. (Date taken: 18 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050118ran8097690_031 Crew of the Royal Australian Navy amphibious transport ship, HMAS Kanimbla, prepare to stow replenishment stores delivered onboard by US Navy MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters from USNS Niagara Falls during tsunami relief operations off the coast of Indonesia. (Date taken: 18 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050118ran8097690_044 An Australian Navy Sea King helicopter from HMAS Kanimbla about to land on the flight deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, off the coast of Sabang Island, Indonesia, during Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 18 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050118ran8097690_045 An Australian Navy Sea King helicopter from HMAS Kanimbla about to land on the flight deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, off the coast of Sabang Island, Indonesia, during Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 18 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050118ran8097690_061 Commander Maritime Task Group Captain Peter Leschen, Royal Australian Navy, is greeted by the Commanding Officer USS Abraham Lincoln, Captain Kendall Card, during a visit onboard to discuss joint tsunami relief and reconstruction assistance to Indonesian authorities. (Date taken: 18 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050118ran8097690_064 Admiral Doug Crowder, US Navy (left), and Commander Maritime Task Group Captain Peter Leschen, Royal Australian Navy, meet to discuss joint tsunami relief and reconstruction assistance to Indonesian authorities onboard the aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln. (Date taken: 18 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050118ran8097690_073 View across the flight deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, from the back door of an Australian Navy Sea King helicopter on tsunami relief operations in Indonesia. (Date taken: 18 January 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res