Defence Minister Robert Hill has announced the wind down of the Australian Defence Force humanitarian mission to provide emergency disaster relief to the earthquake devastated Nias Island in Indonesia.

Senator Hill said that following the ADF’s much needed emergency assistance to Nias Island, Defence involvement will wind down with the decision that HMAS KANIMBLA can now return home. The C130 presence will reduce to one aircraft primarily to service the Air Accident Investigation Team.

"Indonesian authorities support the wind down and have thanked both myself and the Chief of the Defence Force for Australia’s early and important contribution following the earthquake," Senator Hill said.

"Overall the ADF’s contribution included three RAAF transport aircraft, aviation support crews, Army medical personnel, logistic specialists and the support of HMAS Kanimbla.

"Assistance in Nias will now progress to a repair and reconstruction phase. Australian assistance will continue to be provided through our civilian agencies.

"Our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Airwomen have worked tirelessly together to help those in need and, as we have come to expect, their work has been of the highest order. All Australians should feel a deep sense of pride in the work that our men and women have performed.

"The work they have performed has made a difference to the many tsunami and earthquake victims, however it has been at a high cost with the death of nine ADF personnel and two others injured in the recent Sea King helicopter crash."

The ADF’s crash investigation team along with support staff and one C130 Hercules will remain in Indonesia to continue their investigations into the cause of the Sea King accident.

"The Kanimbla’s crew are, of course, all looking forward to returning home and spending time with their friends and family, sadly however any feeling of joy remains tainted by the fact that nine of their colleagues will not be returning with them," said Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie.

ADF achievements during this deployment included:

• 133 tonnes of rice delivered;
• 5000 litres of water provided;
• 570 patients treated ashore by medical staff;
• 13 surgical and treatments conducted on board HMAS KANIMBLA;
• 7 Sea King aero-medical evacuations;
• Lahewa town water pump and generator repaired; and
• Over 138 tonnes of stores moved by C130 Hercules.