ADF supports deployment of critical Vietnamese health capability to UN Mission in South Sudan

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) continues to support the United Nation’s peacekeeping efforts in the South Sudan.
 
The ADF has worked alongside regional partners, most recently Vietnam, to contribute to the mission.
 
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is utilising a C-17A Globemaster III aircraft to deploy a Vietnamese military field hospital to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.  The Globemaster departed Ho Chi Minh City for Juba, South Sudan on 2 October.
 
This support is being provided as part of Australia’s ongoing Defence Cooperation Program with Vietnam, which has supported Vietnam’s peacekeeping capability since 2011.
 
Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Major General Greg Bilton, who attended the farewell ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on 1 October 2018, said the deployment was an important part of the Defence Cooperation Program between the two nations.
 
“By providing this strategic air lift capability to the Vietnamese People’s Army, the ADF is not just supporting the UN Mission, but also enhancing military-to-military interoperability within the region,” Major General Bilton said.
 
“Alongside the C-17, the ADF is also providing Vietnam with specialist peacekeeping and English language skills training.”
 
An ADF contingent of up to 25 personnel are currently deployed to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), known as Operation ASLAN.
 
The personnel include a number of UNMISS headquarters staff officer positions, aviation and logistics support roles and a military liaison officer position.
 

Media Note:
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