16 July 2012

Australian and NZ Defence Force helicopters going home

The Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces are packing their helicopters onto aircraft to go home following their support operation to the National Elections in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The four Blackhawk and three Iroquois helicopters flew 342 hours over 17 days in Central, Northern and Milne Bay Provinces in support of the elections.

The Australian C-130’s carried close to 3000 PNG security personnel and over 200 metric tonnes of cargo to and from airfields around the country.

Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force, Colonel Andrew MacNab, said the team was honoured to have been able to assist in what was an important election for the people of PNG.

“Democracy is an important institution in a free country and we were all happy to do our part in what will hopefully be a launch pad for another sound and robust government. We provided specialist air lift capabilities not readily available in PNG,” he said.

Colonel MacNab said the air and logistics support operation went without any major problems or issues. The Taskforce was appreciative of the hospitality shown by the people of PNG who had welcomed the Australians and New Zealanders warmly.

“We felt like returning friends; everywhere we went people welcomed us with open arms. The close bond between the people of our two countries was very evident and many of the soldiers have made plans to return to PNG for holidays,” he said.

At the height of the deployment there were approximately 250 Australian and NZ Defence Forces personnel in PNG.

Two of the Blackhawks were also deployed for the Search and Rescue operation for the Hevilift helicopter that crashed in Gulf Province.