Army surveyors in Sumatra DPR/TV/1518

Australian Army Surveyors Assisting the Indonesian Government to remap the Island of Sumatra have finished this year's project and return to Sydney today (23 August 1972). The surveyors, a detachment of the Sydney based 2nd Field Survey Squadron, completed 27,000 square miles of this year's target of 30,000 square miles. The Officer Commanding the 86-man detachment, Major Ted Laker of South Strathfield, NSW, said that all necessary distances were measured, but not all aerial photography completed. This was due mainly to farmers burning-off, causing a very dense smoke haze. Cloud cover and poor weather also contributed to the difficulties of high altitude photography, he said. Most of the personnel and equipment will be airlifted from the main base at Palembang to Richmond RAAF Base by C130 Hercules transports. Airlifts on August 24th and 27th will return the remainder. Heavy equipment and vehicles will be brought out by the Army Ship John Monash, which ferried equipment in at the beginning of the year's project. Reviewing the mapping operation so far, Major Laker said: "The two year project has been successful and satisfying, with the advantage to both Indonesia and Australia. About one third of the huge island has now been remapped. In particular, the Indonesians have had training in the use of modern survey techniques. The opportunity for service in a foreign country has been welcome and enjoyed by all the detachment," he said. The Indonesian Government urgently requires new large-scale maps to allow detailed planning for hydro-electric schemes, irrigation projects and transmigration schemes.