ADF turns out for disaster relief

By Andrew Stackpool, Directorate Defence Newspapers - filed 04 January 2005

THE ADF has once again demonstrated what it does best, assisting those in times of need wherever and whenever needed after the horrific earthquake and tsunamis that ripped apart whole communities between Sumatra and the East African coast on Boxing Day, December 26.

As the enormity of the disaster unfolded the ADF swung into action, as it has done so often in the past from rescues at sea through disaster relief in Darwin, Papua New Guinea, Iran and Vanuatu. Again, the disaster had hit during the annual stand-down period but again ADF personnel responded magnificently. Urgent phone calls were made and personnel were on their way back to their bases and barracks.

By the afternoon of December 27 the first ADF response was on the way as two C-130 aircraft lifted off from RAAF Base Richmond with emergency essential supplies (blankets, medical stores and foodstuffs) and 10 medical personnel. Their role would be health assessment and primary treatment.

Later that day Defence Minister Robert Hill announced that another two Hercs would depart on December 28. The ADF's response effort would be focussed on Sumatra, from a forward staging hub at the city of Medan. The aircraft would remain there to support the Indonesian authorities and their primary role would be the transport of medical supplies, medical relief, water purification equipment, and power generation capabilities. Eventually their role was broadened as other aircraft were deployed.

By January 4 six Australian C-130s and a New Zealand C-130 were involved. Five (including the RNZAF aircraft) were flying transport sorties between Medan and Banda Aceh, including the airlift of injured locals, while the other two Australian aircraft provided an air bridge between Darwin and Medan. 14 aircrews will support the remainder of the operation to ensure maximum utilisation of available aircraft.

Other assets quickly followed. Chief among these was the amphibious support ship HMAS Kanimbla with two Sea King helicopters, two Army LCM 8s, much needed aviation fuel and extra specialist personnel embarked. 100 Army engineers and other assets will join the ship in Darwin on January 7. Also deployed were a B707, a Beech 350 light utility aircraft, four venerable UH-1H Huey helicopters from 5 Avn Regt and a 55-bed field hospital, which will be based in Banda Aceh.

By January 4, some 350 personnel were hard at work in Sumatra doing what the ADF does best, helping those in need. Not heroes; just highly trained and qualified people doing their utmost to bring hope from devastation. Taking charge was a headquarters under the command of BRIG Dave Chalmers to coordinate the ADF effort. They are soon to be joined by specialist movements personnel to work in a multinational Air Operations Centre and Air Load personnel to assist clear the building logjams of stores and aircraft.

With medical, fresh water and other essential services severely interrupted international fears are now focussed on the dangers of even higher mortality rates from disease. Much remains to be done but the ADF will be playing its part.

Meanwhile, in Banda Aceh some progress has been made with the establishment of a mobile medical facility and a water purification plant. The ADF team is confident the plant will produce 320 000 litres a day and possibly reach its full 480 000 litre capacity.