Australian Defence force personnel have filled and delivered more than 100,000 sandbags to support South Australian communities under threat from rising flood waters.
Today a C-17A transport aircraft delivered 60,000 sandbags to RAAF Base Edinburgh adding to the 40,000 sandbags provided yesterday.
Personnel from the Australian Army 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment’s 1st Brigade will transport the sandbags to a State Emergency Services depot for distribution.
Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said around 120 Army and Air Force personnel are contributing to flood relief efforts alongside locals and emergency service personnel at the request of the SA Government.
“The ADF prides itself on being able to help Australians when they need it most,” Air Chief Marshal Binskin said.
In addition to the Army personnel on the ground in South Australia, members of 5th Brigade remain in Forbes in central west NSW where a small team of Reserve soldiers are working with local emergency services to conduct route reconnaissance, transport personnel and sandbags and assist with additional planning.
“We will continue to assist those communities affected by the extreme weather conditions sweeping across southern Australia and we stand ready to provide additional support as required.”
Media note:
Imagery is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20162515
Vision will be fed through to the Canberra Press Gallery later today.
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
