Publication:Navy Annual 2005/Operations SUMATRA ASSIST I and II
BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MALCOLM RALSTON, RAN
On 26 December 2004, a major earthquake resulted in a tsunami that devastated many of the coastal areas of Northern Sumatra and other nations around the Indian Ocean rim. The tsunami was responsible for a massive loss of life and a major humanitarian disaster. Incredibly, once the "initial crisis phase" had passed from the tsunami a massive earthquake shattered the island of Nias on the night of the 28 March 2005 resulting in more loss of life and extensive damage.
'Enjoy your well earned break and come back in 2005 well rested as we have a busy year ahead'. Those were the parting words of CMDR Steve Woodall, RAN, prior to the Christmas leave period. Little did HMAS Kanimbla's Ship's company know that within 11 days they would be recalled to assist in one of the largest humanitarian aid missions this country has participated in for many years. Within 48 hours of the recall, HMAS Kanimbla and her Ship's company, complete with an embarked flight of two Sea King helicopters, sailed north from Fleet Base east Sydney to Darwin. As HMAS Kanimbla sailed through the thousands of boats assembled in Sydney Harbour for New Year celebrations an immense feeling of pride swept across the Ship's company. There was no mention of missing the Christmas break as all the conversations focused on how we could help and how long it would take to get to Sumatra.
Heading north, while still within television coverage range, the full extent of the disaster slowly sank in. News reports continued to release footage and accounts of the disaster as the death toll steadily rose. The six days at sea en route to Darwin felt like an eternity. On the morning of 06 January 2005 HMAS Kanimbla arrived in Darwin to commence what was to be one of the busiest 26 hours HMAS Kanimbla had experienced in some time. Stores were loaded, medical and Army engineering personnel and essential equipment embarked for the voyage north to the Indonesian province of Banda Aceh. Upon receiving well wishes from His excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Minister of Defence the Honourable Senator Robert Hill and the then Maritime Commander Australia RADM Rowan Moffitt AM RAN, HMAS Kanimbla departed Darwin. During her journey north HMAS Kanimbla's Ship's company and embarked personnel practised and honed the skills that would be in demand once on station.
On the 13 January 2005, HMAS Kanimbla was anchored off Banda Aceh surveying and assessing a suitable landing site for the off-load of personnel and equipment. By mid-afternoon a site for landing craft operations had been found, however, extensive repairs to the road and surrounding areas had to be made before vehicles could access the town. By the afternoon of 14 January 2005, the first load of vehicles was on their way into Banda Aceh. While work continued on the landing site and associated access roads HMAS Kanimbla's Sea Kings ferried personnel and stores ashore. Within 24 hours, the off-load was complete.
Over the following weeks HMAS Kanimbla, her embarked Sea Kings and landing craft continued to support the troops ashore, providing them with fuel, water, hot food and laundry services. During this busy period a command hand-over took place with CMDR George McGuire, RAN, taking over the reins on 30 January 2005. HMAS Kanimbla also provided those ashore with the opportunity of temporary respite (36 hours) onboard under what we termed 'Operation DRY OUT'. The Sea Kings distributed humanitarian aid down the West Coast of Sumatra and the Ship's medical team supported the ANZAC Field Hospital ashore while maintaining the hospital facilities onboard. each day 15 members of Ship's company were given the opportunity to go ashore as working parties. These groups worked tirelessly helping in the enormous task of cleaning up around the city by clearing drains and cleaning and restoring the local TAFE College. The sights ashore left an indelible image in the minds of HMAS Kanimbla's crew as they witnessed first hand the devastation and human suffering.
Having completed the humanitarian assistance in Banda Aceh, HMAS Kanimbla sailed for Sabang to assist the Army in the process of cleaning vehicles and equipment for its return to Australia. After three weeks, with the cleaning complete, HMAS Kanimbla headed to Singapore for some well-earned rest and recreation prior to departing for Australia.
Three days into the Ship's Singapore visit (on 29 March 2005), on order from Maritime Commander Australia, HMAS Kanimbla's Commanding Officer initiated an immediate recall of all Ship's company to sail for the earthquake-affected island of Nias off the west coast of Sumatra. By 0100 30 March 2005, HMAS Kanimbla sailed for Nias and commenced Operation SUMATRA ASSIST II. On route the Ship's Sea King helicopters ferried medical personnel onboard from the island of Sabang.
As soon as HMAS Kanimbla was off the coast of Nias work commenced. The Ship's medical staff worked relentlessly both ashore and onboard to provide care for the injured people of Nias. This included surgical cases onboard and medical clinics ashore - in total 991 people received direct medical assistance. The Ship's company went ashore on a daily basis and provided technical assistance, repaired a water pump and generator, off-loaded and delivered 123 tonnes of rice and 5000 litres of water and cleared 80 tonnes of debris. Members of the Ship's company also cared for children of those parents who were visiting the medical clinics under the 'Operation KINDERGARTEN COP' program.
On 02 April 2005 a tragic accident saw the loss of nine of our shipmates in the Sea King helicopter, callsign 'Shark 02'. This incident had a profound effect on all Ship's company. However, over the next two weeks HMAS Kanimbla continued helping the people of Nias and seeing the difference our help made to their lives assisted in our grieving process. On the 12 April 2005 HMAS Kanimbla's work in Nias was complete and it was time to head home via Singapore for the rest and recreation missed on the first visit and an opportunity to remember our fallen shipmates during a wake.
The Ship arrived back in Australia on 30 April 2005 to a magnificent and heartfelt reception led by the Honourable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, and the loved ones left behind at such short notice some four months earlier. Once again the empathy and 'can do' nature of the Australian people was demonstrated through the Australian Defence Force in the assistance provided during Operations SUMATRA ASSIST I and II.
The tragic loss of life, the complete devastation, the resilience of the Indonesian people, the spirit of the Australian Defence Force family at times of crisis, and above all the memory of those whom we tragically lost, will remain etched in our minds and hearts forever.'
