What our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Airwomen are doing in support of the fire fighting efforts.......

This information is on one of the Defence Facebook sites (not sure which I am afraid) and I thought you might like to know what our men and women in uniform have been up to in recent months.  Just reading this list is exhausting but this is what our guys and girls are good at so you know they will be doing a great job. 

Here is a list of activity undertaken by the ADF. in support of fire fighting efforts this fire season.. Grab a cuppa while you read it.   It is a very long list

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Victoria – Joint Task Force (JTF) 646

Victoria: JTF 646 is based on Army’s 4th Brigade, with support elements from across the ADF. Presently around 400 personnel are assigned.

Central hub: RAAF Base East Sale is the central hub for the Defence response in southern areas, and is being used as a staging point to receive the flights evacuating vulnerable persons from Mallacoota.

More than 170 people were evacuated by rotary and fixed-wing aircraft on January 5. Sorties are continuing until all people who wish to evacuate have been transported to RAAF Base East Sale. MV Sycamore is in the immediate vicinity to assist in continuing the evacuation should air operations need to be suspended. HMAS Choules is scheduled to return to Mallacoota on January 6.

Navy support: On January 3, two Navy ships evacuated approximately 1100 isolated persons from Mallacoota. On January 4, MV Sycamore (crew of 29 civilian contractors and one Navy officer) arrived in Westernport on the Mornington Peninsula with 61 evacuees and four pets aboard. Sycamore returned to Mallacoota on January 5 to provide additional support to the evacuation. HMAS Choules (crew of 179) arrived in Westernport with about 1100 evacuees about 6pm on January 4.

Helicopter support: Two S-70A Black Hawk helicopters and one MRH-90 Taipan helicopter are based out of RAAF Base East Sale and have been involved in transporting firefighters from Bairnsdale to Mallacoota and transporting the injured and vulnerable from Mallacoota to East Sale for medical treatment by emergency services.

Three CH-47F Chinook helicopters are operating from RAAF Base East Sale to provide support to firefighting operations as well as provide humanitarian assistance to remote and isolated communities. The CH-47F are already involved in evacuating people from remote townships in Eastern Victoria. On January 4, ADF helicopters air evacuated 42 people from Omeo. Another three Chinooks are preparing to deploy south from Townsville. The first departed on January 5.

Mobility operations: The Joint Task Force is providing engineer personnel and equipment to supplement state capabilities to clear and reopen roads in fire-affected areas of Victoria as well as general engineering tasks to remove debris from public areas and clear fire breaks and fire trails.

Damage assessments: The ADF is providing support to the Victoria Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) to undertake rapid damage assessments in regional Victoria. The ADF is enhancing the capacity of the MFB Urban Search and Rescue assessors with additional vehicles and drivers.

Air Force support: Air traffic controllers are providing a flight information service at the Bairnsdale Airport to support local authorities manage the high volume of air traffic currently utilising the airport. One P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducted route reconnaissance from Sale to Mallacoota to assess engineering requirement.  This aircraft will continue with reconnaissance of fire grounds operating from RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Three C-27J Spartan aircraft assisted in the evacuation of personnel from Mallacoota to East Sale.

New South Wales – Joint Task Force (JTF) 1110

JTF establishment: Based on the Army’s 5th Brigade, the JTF is assembling its forces, with approximately 250 personnel already assigned. Called out personnel are starting to parade at Holsworthy Barracks and other bases.

Engineer support: The Joint Task Force has conducted engineering reconnaissance to build a clearer picture of the expected route clearance and recovery operations that will be required. Engineers will be in position in Maitland, Mudgee, Nowra and the Southern Highlands to commence recovery tasking.

Recovery operations: The ADF will provide personnel and equipment to undertake initial recovery tasks as identified and assessed by NSW Government based on advice from specialist ADF advisors. These tasks will be in Tamworth, Wollondilly, Nowra, Mudgee, Maitland and Wingecarribee and will begin from January 6.

Navy support: HMAS Adelaide is off the coast of Eden to begin relief and evacuation operations along the coastline according to the most pressing need. Adelaide is carrying 400 personnel, including the crew, logistics and engineering capabilities as well as 300 tonnes of relief supplies.​​​​​​

Helicopter support: Army and Navy are providing maximum capacity operations through a combination of MRH-90 Taipan, MH-60R Seahawk and EC-135 helicopters for fire mapping, surveillance, and search and rescue support operations supporting the New South Wales Rural Fire Service throughout  the Hunter, Greater Sydney, Illawarra and Southern regions.

South Australia and Tasmania  – Joint Task Force (JTF) 1111

A Joint Task Force is being established based on the Army’s 9th Brigade, to include a call out of units from South Australia and Tasmania.

A damage assessment team was deployed to Kangaroo Island on January 5.

Reserve call out arrangements

Call out of Reserves has been authorised by the Governor-General, as part of the wider call out of the ADF.

The call out is focused on 4th, 5th, and 9th Brigades, as well as elements of the 6th Combat Support Brigade and 17th Sustainment Brigade, who are forming the basis of the three Joint Task Forces.

The call out will involve up to 3000 Reservists and commenced progressively from January 5. Reservists will be contacted by their units.

For more information about the call out, visit the Defence Reserves Support website.

Future support

Transport and logistics: An expansion of the ground transport and logistics tasks to five new locations – Tamworth, Mudgee, Nowra, Maitland and Queanbeyan. This task is expected to run from January 6-20.

Light engineering: Fire trail clearance at Mudgee from January 6-10.

Navy support: HMAS Adelaide will position to support isolated coastal communities, pushing forward small teams to provide food and water resupply once requested by local authorities.

HMAS Choules will be conducting ship-to-shore offload operations of personnel and equipment to Mallacoota.

Recovery operations: The ADF will provide personnel and equipment to undertake initial recovery tasks as identified and assessed by NSW Government based on advice from specialist ADF advisers. These tasks will be in Tamworth, Wollondilly, Nowra, Mudgee, Maitland and Wingecarribee and will commence from January 6.

Specialist logistics: The provision of specialist logistics officers to the JTFs in Victoria and NSW will enhance the sustainment of support provided by the JTFs from January 6.

Transport of firefighters: A fixed-wing transport relief of 20 firefighters between Port Macquarie-Merimbula-Port Macquarie is expected on January 6.

International assistance

The New Zealand Defence Force and the Singapore Armed Forces have offered, and we have accepted, the provision of support through military assets and personnel. ADF planners are currently engaging with their New Zealand and Singaporean counterparts on the specific details of that assistance..

 Australia has received additional offers from other international partners and expects these to be progressively developed as need and circumstances evolve.

Concluded support

Since September 5, Defence has provided the following support to firefighting efforts:

The Australian Defence Force provided support to firefighting efforts near Canungra in south-east Queensland from September 5-21, 2019.  This assistance included support to firefighting helicopter operations, the provision of accommodation and meals to firefighters, geospatial intelligence for fire mapping, and support to the incident control centre.

From November 8 to February 1, the Royal Australian Air Force is providing contingency airlift support to move large groups of firefighters and their equipment between interstate locations. ​​​​​

A RAAF 737 Boeing Business Jet transported ACT Rural Fire Service firefighters from Canberra to Port Macquarie on November 8.

A RAAF C-130J aircraft transported firefighters and their equipment from Adelaide to Port Macquarie on November 9.

A RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft transported firefighters and their equipment from Hobart to Port Macquarie on November 10.

A RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft transported firefighters and their equipment from Essendon and Mildura to Armidale on November 12.

A RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft transported 150 firefighters and their personal equipment from Melbourne Airport to Sydney Airport on November 14.

Two RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft transported 258 firefighters and their personal equipment from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Airport on November 15.

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster aircraft transported 165 firefighters and their equipment, using two flights, from Melbourne to Coffs Harbour on November 17.

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster aircraft transported 130 firefighters and their equipment from RAAF Base Richmond to Melbourne. The same aircraft then transported an additional 130 firefighters and their equipment from Coffs Harbour to Melbourne on November 18.

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster aircraft transported 130 firefighters from Melbourne to RAAF Base Richmond on November 19.

A RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft transported 140 firefighters and their equipment from Melbourne to Coffs Harbour on November 20.

A RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft transported 167 firefighters and their equipment from Coffs Harbour to Melbourne on November 21.

A RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft transported 108 firefighters and their equipment from Coffs Harbour to Melbourne on November 24.

On November 18, 21 and 22, Army supported Queensland Fire and Emergency Services helicopter operations at Borneo Barracks, near Toowoomba.

From November 11-13, Singleton Army Barracks provided accommodation and catering support to about 200 firefighters from the Victorian Country Fire Authority.

From November 12-14, a Navy and Army aviation liaison capability worked within the NSW Rural Fire Service State Operations Centre to ensure ADF air support was appropriately coordinated.

From November 12-14, two MRH-90 Taipan helicopters from the Navy and two S-70 Black Hawk helicopters from the Army provided movements for Rural Fire Service strike teams and, if required, the rescue of civilian personnel.

From November 12-13, the Navy provided two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to fly night missions from Sydney and Coffs Harbour to facilitate the operation of Rural Fire Service air observers. Two EC135 helicopters continued support on November 14.

Two EC135 helicopters from the Navy and two S-70 Black Hawk helicopters from the Army flew in support of NSW Rural Fire Service impact assessments on November 14.

ADF personnel from Kokoda Barracks, Canungra, and the 7th Brigade, Brisbane, provided engineering support to assist Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to clean up fire breaks near Beechmont.

From November 12-13, Kokoda Army Barracks, Canungra, provided evening meals for 40 firefighters.

On November 14, RAAF Base Pearce provided support to aerial firefighting aircraft from the Western Australian Department of

Fire and Emergency Services under DACC arrangements.

From November 12-16, RAAF Base Williamtown provided refuelling and water re-supply support to a Large Aerial Tanker from the NSW Rural Fire Service.

From November 13-17, Army Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters supported Queensland Fire and Emergency Services conducting night fire mapping. On November 17, a Tiger provided support to search for isolated persons in a high-threat fire area. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services safely recovered the individuals.

From November 13-23, RAAF Base Richmond provided accommodation and catering support for varying numbers of between 150 and 300 firefighters, as well as providing workshop/maintenance hangars for up to 50 fire appliances and support vehicles.

On November 18, the 7th Brigade provided a platoon to support Queensland Police and Queensland State Emergency Services to search for a missing person around Mount Glorious, Queensland. The missing person was located on the morning of November 18.

From November 18-19, the Army’s Borneo Barracks near Toowoomba established a helicopter-landing site, overnight parking and refuelling capability for firefighting and support to civilian rotary-wing aircraft.

From November 20-21, two Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan helicopters conducted night fire mapping in south-east Queensland in support of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

On November 21, a NSW Rural Fire Service Large Aerial Tanker was refuelled at RAAF Base Edinburgh after a mission was completed in South Australia.

From November 22-27, Army provided logistics support to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services incident control centre, hosted on Borneo Barracks, Cabarlah.

On November 26, RAAF Base Gingin provided 18,900 litres of water to two water bombers fighting a fire in the vicinity of Yanchep.

From November 26 to December 21, Army provided NSW Rural Fire Service with ground logistic support for the movement of vehicles, stores and equipment in Wauchope.

From December 2-6 and December 10-11, Army provided rotary-wing support to the NSW Rural Fire Service from Holsworthy Barracks to support search and rescue and firefighting intelligence.

On December 3-4, HMAS Albatross was used to provide catering and accommodation for the NSW Rural Fire Service at Naval Air Station Nowra.

On December 4, RAAF Base Pearce provided 12,000 litres of water to two water bombers fighting fires in the vicinity of the City of Swan, Perth.

On December 9, ADF Joint Operations Support Staff-Victoria personnel were established in the Victorian Government State Control Centre following State Tier 3 Red notification for forecast catastrophic fire conditions.

From December 10-11, a Navy helicopter provided support to the the NSW Rural Fire Service for 24 hours to fly day and night missions from the Naval Air Station Nowra to facilitate the operation of Rural Fire Service-trained air observers.

On December 15, RAAF Base Pearce provided support to aerial firefighting aircraft from the Western Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services under DACC arrangements. Some 60,000 litres of water and 17,870 litres of fuel was provided for the firefighting efforts in the vicinity of Collie and 18,000 litres was provided for firefighting efforts in the vicinity of Yanchep.

On December 16, RAAF Base Pearce provided support to aerial firefighting aircraft from the Western Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services. About 3000 litres of water was provided to fight a fire in the vicinity of Brand Highway.

From December 19-23, two Navy helicopters operated from Nowra to provide daytime search and rescue, as well as night-time fire mapping and support missions to the NSW Rural Fire Service.

On December 20, support was provided from RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, to refuel two Large Aerial Tankers fighting fires near Cudlee Creek and Munno Para. This support continued on the morning of 21 December.

From December 20-23, an additional Joint Operation Support Staff Liaison Officer was deployed to the South Australia Country Fire Service Incident Management Team at Mount Barker to provide direct advice.

On December 21-22, RAAF Base Williamtown provided fuel and movements support for two NSW Rural Fire Service fire scanner aircraft under a standing DACC 4 Memorandum of Understanding request.

From December 27-30, 2019, 14 ADF personnel deployed within New South Wales Rural Fire Service incident management teams and are now finalising reports detailing possible options for ADF support during initial recovery operations after the bushfire threat has passed. Defence is expecting a request for assistance from New South Wales authorities and is preparing forces for such a request.

On January 3, two Navy ships evacuated about 1100 isolated persons from Mallacoota.

Overview

The ADF is not trained, equipped or certified to undertake ground-based or aerial bush firefighting and does not get involved in the direct act of fighting bushfires outside Defence property.

The state and territory governments have primary responsibility for the protection of life, property and the environment, and for coordinating and planning emergency responses or recovery actions in disaster-affected areas within their jurisdiction.

The ADF is able to support the states and territories, within resource limitations, in accordance with Defence Assistance to the Civil Community arrangements as part of a whole-of-government response, where state or territory capacity or resources do not exist, or are not available in sufficient time.

Defence has arrangements in place to call out ADF reservists if required to supplement regular personnel.

Defence is working with Emergency Management Australia to identify what other ADF capabilities, such as aviation, logistics, transport, engineering and accommodation support can be provided to aid firefighting efforts in eastern Australia.

Defence is postured to provide further airlift support and is prepared to provide assistance in areas such as aerial fire reconnaissance, logistical support (ground transport, accommodation, meals etc.) and engineering (field work) upon request from state or territory governments.

Till next time... keep spreading the word.. our ADF is awesome!