Army Corporal Ashton Brooks, from the Joint Movement Control Office, liaising with an Air Force member during the dispatch of supplies. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson

From Gun Runner crew to firefight supply

21/01/202021/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2853 Views 0 Comments Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

Fresh from competing in the recent Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on the Army yacht Gun Runner, Tasmanian Corporal Ashton Brooks flew to Victoria’s RAAF Base East Sale to support Operation Bushfire Assist.

CAPTION: Army Corporal Ashton Brooks, from the Joint Movement Control Office, liaising with an Air Force member during the dispatch of supplies. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson. Story by Flying Officer Claire Burnet.

RELATED STORIES: Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

As the local team leader for Joint Movements Control Office – Melbourne, she is one of 6000 full-time and reserve ADF personnel working with State and territory authorities to respond to Australia’s ongoing bushfire crisis.

“My role in this operation is to coordinate and prioritise the movement of passengers and cargo into and out of bushfire-affected areas on board the Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters and RAAF’s C-27J Spartans,” Corporal Brooks said.

“The biggest challenge is sourcing information and identifying supply agencies like Australian Aid, Ambulance Victoria Health, Victorian Fisheries Authority and the Victorian Fire Services for the pallet-loads of donated food and water.

“The amount of supplies that has been donated has been amazing.

“It’s been an incredible experience and being able to help in my own way is very rewarding.”

ADF personnel have been providing direct support in the field, at sea, in the air and from Defence bases across fire-affected regions since September 2019 and will continue for as long as needed.

When Corporal Brooks returns home to Hobart, she looks forward to catching up with her family and getting back down to the Salamanca waterfront to reflect on her rewarding time supporting Australians in need – and on her time as a Gun Runner in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Second smallest boat in the fleet this year, Gun Runner is owned by the Army Sailing Club and was entered in the Sydney to Hobart for the first time and finished fourth from last in 4 days, 22 hours, 51 minutes and 2 seconds, just before noon on New Years Eve..