HMAS Adelaide prepared for any contingency during Op BUSHFIRE ASSIST

Published on 21 January 2020 LIEUT Anthony Martin (author), ABIS Thomas Sawtell (photographer)

Topic(s): HMAS Adelaide (L01), Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST

Earth moving equipment inside HMAS Adelaide's heavy vehicle deck during Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20.

The crew, task group staff and embarked forces in HMAS Adelaide are on station off the New South Wales south coast, providing relief and support to regional communities impacted by the bushfires.

On board the ship, personnel and equipment are in a ready state to provide assistance whenever the call may come.

The vehicle decks and hangar are loaded with military equipment, trucks, dozers, pallets of stores and emergency supplies. The embarked Army units have been pulled from across Australia to enable rapid provision of vehicles and stores ashore.

Helping coordinate the Army Detachments on the ship is Major Tom Cross from 17th Sustainment Brigade. His role is to support the Amphibious Task Group in provision of equipment and personnel to support the relief efforts ashore.

“We have a variety of teams contributing to the task.

“The 9th Force Support Battalion bring a heavy lift capability of bulk fuel and water, 6th Engineer Support Regiment bring bulldozers to conduct road clearing and heavy vehicle mounted diesel generators.

“There is also a detachment of Light Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC) vehicles to assist with stores delivery to remote locations,” he said.

Having HMAS Adelaide as a platform enhances the capability of the Army detachment by bringing all the components needed in one place.

“From the ship we can provide a complete logistics package that could deliver power, water and fuel to a small community,” Major Cross said.

The entire crew work diligently to enable the smooth delivery of detached forces ashore and members of the ship’s company and Amphibious Task Group are contributing to the shore parties, which are providing local knowledge and logistics support.

Adelaide’s Executive Officer, Commander Jace Hutchison said teamwork was the key theme on board.

“The forces embarked for Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20 are an integrated part of the Adelaide team and the entire crew is working together to ensure we are ready to deliver the highest level of support needed to those ashore,” Commander Hutchison said.

“From Liaison Officers to Army Engineering teams, we are sending groups by helicopter and landing craft to meet the challenges ashore as they transpire,” he said.

HMAS Adelaide, in conjunction with HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore, is working off the Australian south east coast providing valuable aid to the communities impacted by the bushfires.

Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20 imagery is available on the Defence Image Gallery:
https://images.defence.gov.au/S20192970.