Post-cyclone Tongan mission ends
Minister for Defence Marise Payne today announced the conclusion of the Australian Defence Force’s assistance to Tonga and Fiji, which was called Operation South West Pacific Assist 2018.
CAPTION: A pallet load of emergency supplies is unloaded from a RAAF C-17A Globemaster in Tonga in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita. Photo by Corporal Colin Dadd.
On 12 February, following a request from the Tongan government in the wake of Cyclone Gita, Defence commenced South West Pacific Assist 2018 as part of a whole-of-government disaster-response effort.
Minster Payne said the mission helped relieve immediate suffering and allowed Tonga to prepare for an enduring recovery.
“ADF planners commenced preparations as soon as the destructive potential of this cyclone became evident,” Minister Payne said.
“Standing ready to respond as the cyclone built in power, Australia commenced aid flights when Tongan airfields opened after the storm had passed.”
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster flew a total of six flights that delivered approximately 140,000kg of humanitarian aid and 30 ADF and civilian personnel to Tonga.
In addition to the aid flights, a RAAF AP-3C Orion conducted damage assessment flights over outlying Fijian islands on 14 and 16 February 2018.
A small Defence team deployed to Nuku’alofa to help coordinate response efforts returned to Australia on 21 February.
The Australian government is providing up to $3.5 million in humanitarian assistance and supporting the ongoing relief effort in Tonga.
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