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The Royal Australian Navy vessels have wrapped up their contributions to the recovery effort in Tonga.
Landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Adelaide and auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) vessel HMAS Supply have returned home after supporting the Tongan recovery effort following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano and subsequent tsunami.
As part of Australia's contribution, the ships delivered humanitarian and medical supplies, engineering equipment and supported the logistics.
Australian Defence Force personnel also conducted clean-up activities ashore including at Atata, Pakumotu, Fafa and Eua, and Nomuka islands.
Specifically, HMAS Adelaide delivered 88 tonnes of relief supplies to Nuku’alofa and also providing accommodation to deployed Australian Defence Force elements.
The ship’s landing helicopter dock also facilitated air and maritime operations.
Meanwhile, HMAS Supply delivered 2.28 million litres of fuel to Australian and international ships and delivered relief supplies requested by the Tongan government, including 88,000 litres of freshwater.
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, lauded the contributions of crews.
“Navy people were a vital part of the mobilisation of resources to support the Tongan government and community,” VADM Noonan said.
“Some of you deployed at very short notice. Each of you can be proud of the contribution you have made in support of our Pacific family.”
HMAS Canberra continues to support the Tongan relief effort after deploying with building supplies and equipment identified for the next phase of the recovery.
Support for Tonga’s recovery effort comes as the ADF deploys platforms and personnel to flood-affected regions across Queensland and NSW as part of Operation Flood Assist 2022.
The ADF’s assistance has included the deployment of two MRH-90 Taipans from the School of Army Aviation to conduct rescue missions, and approximately 900 ADF personnel.
[Related: ADF sends assistance for Queensland floods]
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