MSPA 399/09
Six weeks after sailing for the earthquake affected region of Padang, Indonesia, Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Kanimbla has returned to her home port of Garden Island, Sydney.
From Padang, Kanimbla transported 446 ADF personnel back to Australia and arrived in Sydney with 256 aboard, having disembarked some personnel in Darwin and Townsville. Many of the families of those still aboard were dockside for reunions with their loved ones.
Kanimbla deployed as part of the Australian Government's response to the earthquake, transporting two Sea King helicopters, nearly 145 Army Engineers and construction personnel, equipment and 15 pallets of reconstruction stores.
While in Padang, the combined ship's company and embarked force of around 350 ADF personnel completed a number of remediation tasks.
"The engineers embarked in Kanimbla undertook a range of tasks which enhanced safety and helped the community re-establish itself," said Commanding Officer HMAS Kanimbla, Commander Timothy Byles.
"Tasks included clearing debris and making safe two local schools, repairing a bridge to allow safe passage through town and access to the local market, diverting water back into the rice field irrigation system and building a temporary road to facilitate safe access through landslide affected areas.
"The ship's company were proud to work alongside our Indonesian counterparts and to make a difference to the Padang community in their time of need," Commander Byles said.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999
Fax: 02 6265 6946
