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  2. HMAS Tobruk arrives with Army Engineers in Port Vila

HMAS Tobruk arrives with Army Engineers in Port Vila

30 March 2015

HMAS Tobruk ship's company members Chief Petty Officer Nigel Williams (left) and Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Christopher Jelic wait on the wharf at Port Vila, Vanuatu, preparing to assist HMAS Tobruk to dock and offload humanitarian stores.

Members of the Ship's Army Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy's heavy-lift ship HMAS Tobruk unload an Army Unimog truck onto the wharf at Port Vila, Vanuatu on March 23, 2015.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman is shown the capabilities of HMAS Tobruk while the ship was docked at Port Vila on March 23, 2015.

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For the second time in just over 16 months elements of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER) embarked in the Royal Australian Navy's heavy-lift ship, HMAS Tobruk, to provide assistance to neighbours devastated by a cyclone.

The ship sailed out of Townsville on March 18 arriving in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on March 23, loaded with heavy plant equipment, two LCM-8 landing aircraft, a Navy MRH-90 Taipan multirole helicopter and enough Humanitarian aid stores for 2500 people.

3CER's tasks will include water purification, clearance of debris and road repair as part of the Australian Government's response to Cyclone Pam.

Sergeant Anthony Clarke, a troop sergeant with 3CER's 16th Squadron, said Tobruk would remain in Port Vila overnight to offload some humanitarian aid supplies and reconfigure her load.

"We'll be sailing early tomorrow to Tanna Island, which was one of the worst hit areas, where we'll unload our equipment and get to work," he said.

"We'll be clearing and repairing roads as well as local infrastructure.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman visited Tobruk while the ship was docked in Port Vila and was shown over her capabilities by Commanding Officer Commander Leif Maxfield.

Tobruk had 157 ADF members embarked for Operation Pacific Assist 2015 in addition to her ships company of 177, which includes the Ship's Army Detachment.

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