Support for the troops
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Corporal
John Barak (right) and Signaller Gareth Ebdon make repairs to
a computer at the Force Support Element Butterworth facility,
located at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Butterworth,
Northwest Malaysia.
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Private
Cherie Durso, from 30 Terminal Squadron in Townsville, cross-checks
information on the Cargo Visibility System, which is used to track
the movement of cargo from Australia to the tsunami-ravaged regions
of Asia. ***Note: Pte Durso and her colleagues are assigned to
FSEBW.
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By
Corporal Cameron Jamieson - filed 08 February
2005
Disaster
relief operations consume aid supplies and equipment by the tonne, and
you need more than heaven and earth to move them.
You
need muscle and organisation, and this is why the Force Support Element
in Butterworth (FSEBW) was created.
The
genesis of FSEBW can be traced back to the hours following the disastrous
Boxing Day 2004 earthquake and tsunami.
One
of the first ADF teams to swing into action on Boxing Day was the staff
of the Logistic Support Force Headquarters in Randwick, Sydney.
Recognising
the magnitude of the disaster and the likelihood of ADF involvement
in the nation's response, the planning staff went straight to work on
contingency plans.
One
of those planning officers was Major Peter Williams, who soon found
himself plucked from the familiar surrounds of Sydney and sent to the
Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Butterworth, Northwest Malaysia, where
he now commands FSEBW.
Major
Williams described FSEBW as an important logistic node for the movement
of disaster relief stores and equipment into Indonesia.
"The
process of establishing FSEBW as part of the Australian response to
the natural disaster had been relatively easy, thanks to the support
of the RAAF," he said.
"The
RAAF element in location here, 324 Combat Support Squadron, had already
been involved in the process of setting up for the operation.
"They
had already identified areas on the base to work from, so the facilities
we have for our headquarters, terminal operations and warehousing operations
are perfect for the job.
"As
far as real estate is concerned, you could almost say this was a template
logistic-node solution for disaster relief operations."
Using
experience learnt on previous operations, the tri-service organisation
has been dynamic in tackling the task of moving supplies.
"FSEBW
is a joint organisation, with Navy, Army and Air Force personnel in
the headquarters, and they have come together well.
"Some
people are learning new jobs, and we are trying different ways of doing
business.
"For
example, for many Air Force and Army personnel this is the first time
they have critically managed Navy stores.
"Stock
is landing here for HMAS Kanimbla, and Army and Air Force personnel
are moving it forward to the ship."
The
personnel of FSEBW fall under the command of Combined Joint Task Force
629, the Australian-led task force assigned to the Indonesian Government
to assist them with their disaster relief operations.
This
means the FSEBW personnel are subject to the same restrictions as their
colleagues in Indonesia - no local leave and no consumption of alcohol.
This
hasn't affected the morale of the troops in Butterworth though, as there
is a feeling of solidarity between them and their Indonesian-based mates.
"The
people here understand the importance of keeping the supplies flowing
to the force elements in Indonesian," Major Williams said.
"Their
dedication to the task is 100 per cent."
