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The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra, her crew and embarked forces have arrived in Townsville following their deployment on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. HMAS Canberra arrived in the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa on March 1, to contribute to the Australian Government’s disaster relief and recovery mission following the devastating undersea volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami. During its mission, HMAS Canberra…
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A farewell ceremony at Tonga’s Vuna Wharf was held on March 16 to thank personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC), and Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) who have been operating together from HMAS Canberra. HMAS Canberra departed the Kingdom of Tonga for Australia on March 18, marking the completion of her…
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USS Frank Cable recently arrived in Brisbane, and some of the ship’s company stepped ashore to help Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on Operation Flood Assist with clean-up tasks. The ship, attached to the US Seventh Fleet and based in Guam, is visiting Brisbane as part of its current deployment. The visit has been coordinated with the support of the…
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A disaster relief supplies transportation fleet dispatched by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy arrived at the Nuku’alofa Port, Tonga, around 10:00 a.m. UTC+13, February 15, 2022. The fleet consists of PLA Navy’s amphibious dock landing ship Wuzhishan (Hull 987) and supply ship Chaganhu (Hull 967). The two ships bring a total of 1400-odd tons of supplies including mobile…
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Navy auxiliary oiler replenishment ship HMAS Supply arrived in Tongan waters as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022 on February 12. The ship’s company got down to work straightaway, conducting its first replenishment at sea (RAS) with HMAS Adelaide the same day. HMAS Supply sailor Petty Officer Boatswain Michael Hirschausen oversaw the RAS and said it’s a whole-ship evolution involving…
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USS Sampson (DDG 102), is underway, Jan. 25, supporting the disaster relief efforts in Tonga following the volcanic eruption and tsunami in the country. Sampson, a U.S. Navy destroyer, along with its embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopters assigned to the “Scorpions” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 are positioned to conduct lifesaving actions in support of disaster relief efforts in…
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A Royal Navy ship has delivered critical water and medical supplies to Tonga in the wake of a catastrophic tsunami. As soon as HMS Spey arrived in the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa on the island of Tongatapu, her 50 crew began offloading 30,000 liters of bottled water, medical supplies and sanitation and baby care products. The islands’ capital is serving as…
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HMAS Adelaide has finalized the loading of humanitarian and disaster relief stores, equipment and personnel in readiness to aid recovery efforts in Tonga. Commander Joint Task Force 637 Major General Scott Winter said Australia’s contribution was part of a wider relief effort that included regional partners. “We are proud to work alongside His Majesty’s Tonga Armed Forces as well as…
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A Royal Navy patrol ship will support international disaster relief efforts after a tsunami devastated Tonga. An extremely rare underwater volcanic eruption sent giant waves crashing into the Pacific islands, destroying homes and blanketing the area in volcanic ash. HMS Spey has been diverted to the islands from Tahiti and will be part of an international response to help people…
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Real-time mapping from the Air Warfare Centre has provided crucial information for the Tongan Government to better assess their response following the January 15 volcanic eruption. The Air Warfare Centre’s No.83 Squadron analysed images and data after two No.11 Squadron’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft flew overflew Tonga to help determine the extent of the damage. Leading Aircraftman Bradley Bleeker was one…
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