Publication:Navy Annual 2005/Operation Sumatra Assist II
The earthquake that rocked the island of Nias, off the coast of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, over the easter period in 2005 would prove to be a tragedy for more than just the people of that island. Before the completion of the operation, nine Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel would perish and the Australian nation would be deeply saddened.
As the Manager of Administrative Services at Balmoral Naval Hospital, I am shadowposted to the Primary Casualty Reception Facility (PCRF) that deployed onboard HMAS Kanimbla for Operation SUMATRA ASSIST II. We departed very early on 31 March 2005. The team from Sydney consisted of myself, two Able Seamen Medics and PO Medic Slattery. 'Slats' and I go way back, as I was the officer in charge of the Medical School HMAS Cerberus when he undertook his advanced training. His manner, as usual, was outgoing and he was keen to get started on the job. We flew by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 707 from Sydney to Brisbane where we picked up the staff from 2 Health Support Battalion (2HSB). From there we flew directly to Jakarta where we overnighted with a subsequent C130 Hercules flight to the island of Sabang located at the northern tip of Sumatra.
On arrival at Sabang there was some confusion. However, we were shortly transferred by two Sea King helicopters to HMAS Kanimbla. I was on the last trip out to the ship, flying in Shark 02; little knowing that 24 hours or so later she would crash. On reflection I feel honoured to have flown with the aircrew of Shark 02. I got to know them for only a short while but in that time they showed their professionalism and commitment to the job at hand.
The following day we commenced operations after only a very short time to integrate with the Ship's crew. As the Operations Officer for the PCRF (OPSO PCRF) I worked very closely with the Operations Officer of HMAS Kanimbla. I remember when the second team for the day departed the ship, I had gone to the hangar bay to wish them well and ensure they had all the equipment they required. I then returned to the Operations Room to await reports of patient numbers and types of injuries that needed to be relayed to the PCRF staff.
I will never forget that moment as we waited for their first reports, of the call from 'Shark 21' reporting that 'Shark 02' had crashed. It was the most gut-wrenching, chilling feeling. But, I have never been so proud to be part of a professional team right at that moment. The Operations Room staff, working in shock at the loss of the aircraft and not knowing how many, if any, had survived, worked at an astonishing level and pace to ensure the best possible outcome. Two survivors were brought back to the ship by 'Shark 21'. Again, the professionalism of all the medical staff was of the highest order, having by that time learned that most likely there were no other survivors.
We all lost friends that day. I lost two very good friends in PO Medic Slattery and Sergeant Wendy Jones. I had been very pleased to see her again noting that we were both involved very heavily in the Bali Bombing evacuations in October 2002 when I was posted to Headquarters Northern Command in Darwin, and she was posted to the Health Services Flight at RAAF Base Darwin.
Operation SUMATRA ASSIST II continued over the following two weeks. It was the first time that foreign nationals had been evacuated to an Australian Naval Ship, had surgery, and then been repatriated to their own medical facilities ashore. The loss of aircraft medevac capability hampered the efforts but with typical "overcome, adapt, improvise" mentality the evolutions were conducted safely and quickly.
The PCRF members for Phase Two of Operation SUMATRA ASSIST quickly became embedded in HMAS Kanimbla and joined in whole Ship routines such as storing Ship and cleaning stations. The camaraderie that ensued, following the mission was, to put it mildly, "bloody awesome".
Our friends and colleagues will never be forgotten; nor will the feeling of pride in a job well done that all those who were involved in Operation SUMATRA ASSIST II now have.
02 April 2005 will be remembered as a sad day in the ADF with the loss of so many dedicated members performing their duty. It will also be remembered as a day of courage where even under the horrific outcomes of the crash of 'Shark 02', those who were seconded to Operation SUMATRA ASSIST II onboard HMAS Kanimbla rallied and carried out their duties in the finest traditions of the ADF.
We Will Remember Them. Lest We Forget.
