OPERATION PLES DRAI PAPUA NEW GUINEA DROUGHT

THE PNG AND AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE PEOPLE OF PNG DURING THE 1997 – 1998 DROUGHT

NAVY SHIPS RETURN HOME

Apart from the 1000 tonnes of emergency aid delivered by RAAF and Army aircraft so far, a further 332 tonnes has been delivered by the Royal Australian Navy’s ships LABUAN and TARAKAN which are now making their way home to Australia.

The two heavy landing craft ships from Cairns delivered much needed aid supplies, including 60,000 litres of water, to coastal and island destinations in the Gulf Province west of the country’s capital Port Moresby and in Milne Bay province in the country’s far east.

"The two ships have performed a valuable task during their attachment to the drought relief effort here," Lieutenant Colonel Cognet said.

"From and Australian Defence Force perspective, the deployment of LABUAN and TARAKAN has made this a truly joint humanitarian relief operation with servicemen and women from each of the three services playing an important role," Lieutenant Colonel Cognet said.

The Australian Defence Force’s drought relief operations in Papua New Guinea will continue into the new year.

By: Major Robert Barnes - December 10 ,1997

Navy Ships Return Home Picture Gallery.