Defence establishes wider support to Queensland flood disaster

In response to the deepening flood crisis in Queensland, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has established a Joint Task Force (JTF) for the conduct of Operation QUEENSLAND FLOOD ASSIST.

JTF 637 was established today, under the command of Colonel Luke Foster, an experienced Army officer.

Colonel Foster’s headquarters has been established at Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera in Brisbane in order to provide the best possible support to the Queensland Government in their response to the flood crisis.

Defence will continue to operate closely with Queensland Emergency Services to provide subject matter expertise, planning and coordination of the ADF support to the civil led flood response.

JTF 637 will control the helicopters and units already supporting the Queensland emergency management agency, including the three Army Black Hawk helicopters operating around Emerald.

The ADF has already provided support to State and Federal emergency management agencies by assisting with the evacuation of people from the towns of Theodore, Emerald and Condamine, as well as providing emergency food drops and medical supplies to Queensland people isolated by the flood waters.

Additionally, a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules yesterday successfully delivered a‘flexible habitat’, a purpose built temporary accommodation module, for use by the people of Emerald.

The ADF will continue to review the situation in coordination with Emergency Management Queensland and provide a commensurate level of support within available resources.