Risks and dangers
On 28 March 2005, an earthquake occurred close to Sumatra and the island of Nias suffered a humanitarian disaster. ADF members on board HMAS Kanimbla were returning home, having spent months in Indonesia after the 2004 disaster, when their ship was asked to turn around and head to Nias. (7)
During the operation Sea King helicopter Shark 02 malfunctioned and crashed, killing nine ADF personnel and leaving two survivors with serious injuries.
Army doctor and artist Peter Hanley painted Shark Zero Two coming home after the crash, representing those who had lost their lives being welcomed home with open arms onto the deck of HMAS Kanimbla.
Peter Hanley, Shark Zero Two coming home (2005, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 73.8 x 73.8 cm, AWM ART92744)
Hanley painted the artwork in tribute to Squadron Leader Paul McCarthy, who was a friend of his brother.(8) A doctor from the Royal Australian Air Force, McCarthy was one of the nine Australians killed in the crash. A Last Post Ceremony was held at the Memorial in 2015 to commemorate Paul McCarthy’s service and sacrifice.
You can read a transcript of the ceremony here.
Indonesia again experienced the devastating impact of a tsunami on 28 September 2018, when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake caused large waves to hit the island of Sulawesi. The ADF provided 11 aircraft to transport supplies to affected areas.(9)
- What are some of the risks and dangers that ADF members may face when assisting in humanitarian operations?
- Write a letter home, from the perspective of an Australian member of the Defence Force undertaking overseas humanitarian work. What do you want your family to know? What can you see, hear, and smell around you? What work are you doing, and how do you think it is valued? Are you aware of any dangers, or have there been moments that have been light-hearted? Are you working with people from different countries? If so, what is that like?
Sources:
[7] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1029131
[8] http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/editions/2009_5/defmag_0905.pdf
[9] https://dfat.gov.au/crisis-hub/Pages/sulawesi-earthquake-and-tsunami-response.aspx