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The LHD vessel has arrived in Townsville after supporting humanitarian and disaster relief efforts in Tonga.
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Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Canberra has embarked forces in Townsville, Queensland after wrapping up its contribution to Operation Tonga Assist 22.
The vessel arrived in the Tongan capital of Nukuʻalofa on 1 March 2022 following tan undersea volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami.
During the mission, HMAS Canberra delivered humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) stores and relieved HMAS Adelaide, which arrived in Tonga on 26 January 2022.
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, AO, CSC lauded the efforts of the LHD ship’s crew.
“The crew of HMAS Canberra, embarked forces and helicopters, have been steadfast in their commitment to Tonga, carrying on from the good work of HMAS Adelaide and Supply,” LTGEN Bilton said.
“The ADF personnel worked alongside our Pacific family, with Republic of Fiji Military Forces and French Armed Forces in New Caledonia personnel embarking on HMAS Canberra in support of recovery operations.”
HMAS Canberra also operated alongside Tonga’s Australian-gifted Guardian Class patrol boats VOEA Ngahau Koula and Ngahau Siliva, conducting reconnaissance operations and support for the delivery of supplies.
“Years of close cooperation between Australia and Tonga in maritime security and disaster preparedness have made this seamless coordination possible,” LTGEN Bilton added.
In addition to providing HADR support, HMAS Canberra supported Tonga’s COVID-19 response, delivering vaccines and medical teams to ‘Eua and Southern Ha‘apai islands, and also transported people from Tongatapu to communities in the outer islands across the Ha‘apai and Vava‘u island groups.
As part of Operation Tonga Assist 22, the ADF delivered more than 417 tonnes of equipment, supplies, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief stores to Tonga.
Assistance also included damage assessment and clean-up operations, supported by Australian Army personnel from the 7th and 17th Brigades, three CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the 16th Aviation Brigade and a Royal Australian Navy MRH-90 helicopter from 808 Squadron.
Moreover, Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster and C-130J Hercules aircraft delivered supplies across 19 sustainment flights and conducted eight aerial surveillance flights to determine the extent of the damage.
HMAS Canberra is expected to return to her homeport of Fleet Base East next week.
[Related: HMAS Arunta, RAAF P-8A Poseidon conclude trilateral training]
