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Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Chief Petty Officer Garry Danaher with a member of the Royal Tongan Navy on board an Australian-gifted Guardian-class patrol boat in Tonga. Story byCorporal Jacob Joseph.
ADF People 

CSM for CPO for creative response to volcanic havoc

31/01/202305/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1126 Views 0 Comments Australia Day Honours, Guardian-class Patrol Boat, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Technical adviser Chief Petty Officer Garry Danaher, commended for his actions during the 2022 Tongan volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami,

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Lieutenant Commander Makaila Lasalo, right, talks with Nomuka Island residents during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.
ADF People 

Australian Navy officer witnessed Tongan volcano

11/05/202220/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1774 Views 0 Comments His Majesty’s Armed Forces Tonga, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Twenty-four hours before Ha’atafu Beach Resort in Tonga was destroyed by a tsunami, one Navy officer stood at the shoreline

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The 808 Squadron MRH-90 Taipan helicopter prepares to take-off from HMAS Canberra during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.
ADF Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy 

808 Squadron happy with versatility shown on Tonga Assist

16/04/202218/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2367 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Supply, MRH-90 Taipan, No. 808 Squadron, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

During Operation Tonga Assist 2022, crews from Navy’s 808 Squadron completed dozens of missions around the 169-island archipelago, including VIP

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HMAS Canberra returns to her home port in Sydney, after deploying on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.
ADF Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos 

HMAS Canberra home from Tonga

31/03/202201/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2296 Views 0 Comments 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, HMAS Canberra, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

HMAS Canberra sailed back into Sydney Harbour on March 29 after completing the Australian Defence Force’s ship-based support to Tonga.

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Army soldier Private Tim Melvin, right, reunites with his daughter, Navy sailor Leading Seaman Esther Melvin, on HMAS Canberra on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.
ADF People 

Like ships in the night

25/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2247 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Canberra, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

When the Royal Australian Navy’s biggest ships rendezvoused in Nuku`alofa Harbour in Tonga in early March as part of Operation

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An Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter conducts a vertical replenishment with HMAS Canberra to deliver humanitarian and disaster relief stores to Nomuka Island, Tonga, during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Photo by Leading Seaman Danial Goodman.
News Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Canberra home from Tonga mission

24/03/202224/03/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2113 Views 0 Comments Operation Tonga Assist 2022

The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra, her crew and embarked forces have arrived in Townsville today following their deployment on

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Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni (centre) and Australian High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga, Rachael Moore (centre left), talk with military personnel from the Royal Australian Navy, French Armed Forces and the Republic of Fiji Military Force.
ADF Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos 

Farewell acknowledged work of Pacific family

22/03/202224/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2066 Views 0 Comments CH-47F Chinook, COVID-19 Assist, HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Canberra, MRH-90 Taipan, Operation Tonga Assist 2022, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

A farewell ceremony at Tonga’s Vuna Wharf was held on March 16 to thank personnel from the Australian Defence Force

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Midshipman Callum Masters, left, with Midshipman Paula Ulakai at their reunion in Tonga. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.
ADF People 

Mates reunited in Tonga

17/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2012 Views 0 Comments Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Two mates from different navies who completed officer training together have been reunited in Tonga. CAPTION: Midshipman Callum Masters, left,

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Australian Defence Force personnel on HMAS Adelaide line the flight deck as the ship returns to her home port of Fleet Base East in Sydney following a deployment on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Lieutenant Max Logan. Photo by Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski.
Uncategorized 

HMA Ships Adelaide and Supply return home

14/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1963 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Supply, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

HMA Ships Adelaide and Supply have returned to their home port in Fleet Base East in Sydney after an important

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Chaplain Simote Finau delivers a Sunday prayer live on air on Radio Tonga from HMAS Adelaide during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembat. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.
ADF People 

Chaplain broadcasts prayers to Tonga

08/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1722 Views 1 Comment HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Navy Chaplain Simote Finau delivered devotional prayers on Radio Tonga while deployed on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. CAPTION: Chaplain Simote

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Army soldier Sergeant Alefosio Kakala on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Leading Seaman David Cox & Sergeant Alefosio Kakala. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.
Australian Army News Pacific 

Family reunion with a difference in Tonga

08/03/202212/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2049 Views 0 Comments 5th Aviation Regiment, CH-47F Chinook, HMAS Adelaide, No. 808 Squadron, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Ten years is a long time to be away from home and, for Tongan-born Australian Army soldier Sergeant Alefosio Kakala

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Navy sailor Seaman Dhan Khadka in HMAS Adelaide's wardroom during his deployment on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story and photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.
ADF People 

Nepal-born sailor’s first time at sea rewarding

08/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1367 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

From the quiet and open plains of Chitwan in Nepal to the bustling streets of Melbourne, Australia, Seaman Dhan Khadka

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Army soldier Corporal Daniel Norrie on Pangaimotu Island, Tonga, as part of HMAS Adelaide's amphibious beach team. Story by Captain Zoe Griffyn. Photo by Petty Officer Jake Badior.
ADF People 

Deployment to Tonga meaningful

04/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1777 Views 0 Comments 10th Force Support Battalion, HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

This year began in a meaningful way for Australian Army cargo operator Corporal Daniel Norrie when he deployed on Operation

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HMAS Canberra and HMAS Supply (left) sail into Nuku‘alofa harbour in Tonga as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Photo by Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski.
News Pacific Royal Australian Navy Videos 

HMAS Canberra relieves HMAS Adelaide in Tonga

04/03/202205/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3302 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Supply, Operation Tonga Assist 2022, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

HMAS Canberra has arrived in Tonga to relieve HMAS Adelaide on Operation Tonga Assist 2022. CAPTION: HMAS Canberra and HMAS

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Soldiers from 2RAR's small boat platoon move 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment personnel onto Atata Island in Tonga. Story by Captain Zoe Griffyn. Photo by Petty Officer Jake Badio.
Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy 

Amphibious platoon shows versatility in Tonga

01/03/202203/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3303 Views 0 Comments 2RAR, HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR), small boat platoon showed their versatility on Operation Tonga

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RAN sailor Able Seaman Maritime Personel Operations Christina Heron clears dead vegetation on Pangaimotu Island, Tonga. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.
Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy Videos 

Pangiamotu Island clean-up

01/03/202203/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2012 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Australian Defence Force personnel have rehabilitated a tsunami-damaged monument that marks where Tonga’s first Catholic mass was conducted in 1842

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RAN sailors from a deployable geospatial support team begin surveying the beach on Pangaimotu Island, Tonga, as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Left to right: Able Seaman Jesse O'Sullivan, Leading Seaman Robert Johnson, Petty Officer Eric Duthie and Able Seaman Shannae Fiddyment. Story by Captain Zoe Griffyn. Photo by Petty Officer Jake Badior.
Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy Videos 

Beach survey paves way for relief effort

25/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2127 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

ADF hydrographic and amphibious beach survey teams are finalising work to enable humanitarian assistance to begin on Pangaimotu Island in

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Lance Corporal Kobie Rogers from 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment cuts a fallen tree on Atata Island, Tonga, during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.
Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy Videos 

Atata Island clean-up progresses

25/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1702 Views 0 Comments 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, Operation Tonga Assist 2022, Republic of Fiji Military Forces

Australian and Fijian soldiers have made considerable progress in a joint effort to clear debris, tackle erosion and make safe

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ADF personnel of Tongan heritage assisted with a contactless delivery of humanitarian stores to 'Eua Island as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.
Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Navy 

No port access? No problem for ADF

25/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1748 Views 0 Comments CH-47F Chinook, HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

The ADF has airlifted more than 40 tonnes of stores from Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, to a large populated island with no

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Able Seaman Shannae Fiddyment conducts a survey in waters off Pangaimotu Island, Tonga, as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Story by Captain Zoe Griffyn. Photo by Petty Officer Jake Badior.
ADF People 

Charting in Tonga a highlight in sailor’s story

25/02/202226/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1429 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Melville, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

Able Seaman Shannae Fiddyment started this year with a career opportunity of a lifetime, deploying in HMAS Adelaide on Operation

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