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The ADF has wrapped up its mission to deliver more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Vanuatu following two tropical cyclones in March.
Operation Vanuatu Assist saw 600 Defence personnel and aircraft, including Australian Chinooks, help deliver medical supplies, food and shelter.
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The South Pacific nation was hit by category 4 Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin on 1 and 3 March 2023, with more than 250,000 affected.
Commander of ADF Operations in the South West Pacific, Major General Scott Winter, said a significant amount was achieved in working with Vanuatu after the cyclones.
“Our people proudly worked alongside Ni-Vanuatu authorities to deliver a range of emergency assistance as well as the transportation and distribution of humanitarian aid,” Major General Winter said.
“Army, Air Force and Navy personnel, using our amphibious capabilities and fixed-wing airlift support, have joined together and worked side-by-side with Vanuatu authorities to get aid to the areas of most need.”
In addition to humanitarian aid, support to Vanuatu included hydrographic reconnaissance, route clearance, emergency medical evacuations, transport of local government officials, and clean-up and remediation of local infrastructure, including Vila Central Hospital, two schools and the Maternity and Child Health Clinic.
The iconic Chinook is primarily deployed for troop movement, artillery emplacement, and battlefield resupply.
Australia placed its first order, for 12, in 1972, with its delivery coming in October of the next year.
Today, Australia has 14, which has been boosted by a recent order for four more signed off in 2021.
Last year, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy welcomed the delivery, noting the capability benefits for the Australian Army.
“The Australian government is demonstrating its commitment to bolstering Defence’s ability to prepare our ADF to be future ready,” Minister Conroy said.
“The Chinook is Defence’s largest helicopter, which has been instrumental in recent missions including Operation Bushfire Assist in 2019-20, Operation Tonga Assist in 2022, and Operation Queensland/New South Wales Flood Assist in 2022.
“The helicopters will provide Defence with additional lift capacity and strengthen Army’s ability to support operations globally.”
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