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Defence has continued to step up its assistance for the bushfire emergency in NSW, with the deployment of additional assets.
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For the past two days, the Royal Australian Navy has provided two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to fly night missions from Sydney and Coffs Harbour and facilitate the operation of Rural Fire Service air observers, while two RAN MRH-90 Taipans and two S-70 Black Hawks from the Australian Army have been providing movements for Rural Fire Service strike teams and, if required, the rescue of civilian personnel.
Defence has also provided the following in NSW:
- Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown is providing refuelling and water re-supply support to a large aerial tanker from the NSW Rural Fire Service;
- NSW Rural Fire Service has permanently based a large aerial tanker and spotter aircraft at RAAF Base Richmond;
- Defence has enhanced its planning and liaison support to emergency services, including embedding planners into the NSW Rural Fire Service State Operations Centre;
- A RAAF C-130J has transported firefighters and their equipment from Essendon and Mildura to Armidale;
- From 11 November, Singleton Army Barracks has provided accommodation and catering support to about 200 firefighters from the Victorian Country Fire Authority. This support will continue until 18 November; and
- An aviation liaison capability was established on 12 November with the NSW RFS State Operations Centre to ensure ADF air support is appropriately co-ordinated.
Defence has also provided the following from Queensland:
