The Hon Gerry Brownlee
|
The Hon Kevin Andrews MP
18 Sep 15
Release details
Release type
Related ministers and contacts
The Hon Kevin Andrews MP
Minister for Defence
Release content
25 February 2015
Defence Air Support to Emergency Operations Increases
The Australian Defence Force has deployed additional aircraft and air operations ground support to assist with natural disaster recovery efforts across the country.
In Queensland, two Army MRH90 helicopters were dispatched overnight to Rockhampton to assist with aerial inspection of the region following Cyclone Marcia.
Today, following a Northern Territory Government request, a RAAF C-17A Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft will airlift stores and supplies for a 300-bed tent camp from RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales to RAAF Base Darwin.
These supplies will be moved under emergency services arrangements to Elcho Island to provide temporary accommodation after Cyclone Lam ripped through the area.
In Western Australia, ground crews at RAAF Pearce are providing support to two civilian fire fighting aircraft assisting with the bushfire operations.
The breadth of the operations underlines the ADF's ability to respond to multiple emergency services requests while conducting global military operations.
Provision of Defence assistance to the civil community follows a request from the relevant State or Territory Government to Emergency Management Australia.
Media note:
Imagery is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20150396
Media contacts:
Brad Rowswell (Minister Andrews’ Office) 0417 917 796
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999