OPERATION PLES DRAI

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

UNITS AND EQUIPMENT

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE:

The Australian Defence Force, in cooperation with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force has been involved in conducting food delivery operations in Papua New Guinea since October 1997.

The Australian Defence Force’s relief operation in Papua New Guinea is called OPERATION SIERRA.

OPERATION SIERRA, involves Australian Defence Force personnel from the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy.

The Brisbane-based Deployable Joint Force Headquarters is providing an operational-level headquarters in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby which commands and coordinates the efforts of the Australian Defence Force assets in the country.

The Australian Army is providing three Black Hawk and two Chinook helicopters from the Townsville-based 5th Aviation Regiment. Other Army assets deployed to PNG include an aviation refueling detachment from the Townsville-based 2nd Field Logistics Battalion, communications detachments from the Brisbane-based 1st Joint Support Unit, medical and public affairs personnel.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is providing three short-range tactical fixed wing Caribou transport aircraft from the Townsville-based Number 35 Squadron, and two heavy lift fixed wing C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Richmond-based Numbers 36 and 37 Squadrons. Other RAAF elements deployed include the Mobile Air Terminal Unit and the Air Transportable Telecommunications Unit, both from Richmond.

The Royal Australian Navy is providing two Landing Craft Heavy cargo transport vessels, the HMAS TARAKAN and HMAS LABUAN.

The Sydney-based Joint Movements Group is providing movements advice, support and coordination relating to personnel and relief supplies.

In all, about 150 Australian Defence Force personnel are now involved in OPERATION SIERRA.