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During Operation Tonga Assist 2022, crews from Navy’s 808 Squadron completed dozens of missions around the 169-island archipelago, including VIP flights, airlifting essential stores and equipment, and transporting medical teams and COVID-19 vaccines to outlying islands. A Navy MRH-90 Taipan helicopter operated from the landing helicopter dock HMAS Adelaide and, subsequently, HMAS Canberra. Flight commander of Ready Team 1, Lieutenant…
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HMAS Canberra sailed back into Sydney March 29 after completing the Australian Defence Force’s ship-based support to Tonga. Canberra left Tongan waters after a farewell ceremony on March 22 for ADF, Republic of Fiji Military Forces and French Armed Forces in New Caledonia personnel in Nuku’alofa, attended by Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei. ADF personnel deployed on Operation Tonga…
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Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Adelaide, and HMAS Supply have returned to Australia after supporting the people of Tonga in their recovery efforts in the aftermath of January’s underwater volcanic eruption and tsunami. The ships delivered humanitarian and medical supplies, engineering equipment and supported the logistics and distribution of Australian relief in a COVID safe / contactless manner. Teams of Australian…
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HMAS Canberra has arrived in Tonga to relieve HMAS Adelaide on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Canberra was guided into Nuku’alofa by Guardian-class patrol boat VOEA Ngahau Siliva with Adelaide and Supply in company. The harbour entry marked a handover of command between sister ships Adelaide and Canberra as the local ADF Joint Task Group for Operation Tonga Assist 2022, supporting…
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DGSTs chart the safest route using high-frequency sonar equipment attached to Zodiac inflatable boats to take high-resolution images of the sea floor. “Data is collected in a planned line pattern to assess the water depth,” Petty Officer Duthie said. “We apply our collected data to known tides and satellite imagery of reef formations to chart the safest beach approach.” DGSTs…
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The Government of Tonga has expressed its gratitude for HMAS Adelaide’s delivery of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief stores by sending the ship a giant fresh fruit gift. Adelaide received dozens of bags of coconuts, pineapples, bananas and watermelons after Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni phoned Commanding Officer Captain Stuart Watters to send best wishes and acknowledge the Australian Defence Force’s support. “I was incredibly…
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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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April 16, 2021 – Families of the crew of HMAS Adelaide were treated to a day on board to thank them for their support during a busy year for the ship’s company. A highlight of the April 9 family day on Sydney Harbor was when the landing helicopter dock – one of Navy’s largest warships – sailed under the Sydney…
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February 2, 2021 – More than 600 ADF personnel who deployed on Operation FIJI ASSIST have arrived back in Sydney on HMAS Adelaide, following a five-week deployment to the Republic of Fiji. The Joint Task Group deployed on Christmas Eve following a request for assistance from the Fijian Government in response to devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Yasa. Minister for Foreign Affairs…
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January 25, 2021 – HMAS Adelaide’s embarked MRH-90 Taipan helicopters played a vital role in delivering much-needed supplies to Fijian communities that had been cut off by the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Yasa. The crews flew more than 166 hours, delivering 71,475kg of aid through 62 vertical replenishments, as well as troops, to communities across Vanua Levu and outlying…
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