ADF Assists Australians in Path of Tropical Cyclone Trevor

03/26/2019

The Australian Defence Force is assisting the Northern Territory Government to evacuate remote communities in the path of Tropical Cyclone Trevor.

Defence support was requested on Wednesday 20 March by the Northern Territory Government through Emergency Management Australia and close coordination between the agencies continues.

A Joint Task Force of around 200 personnel has been established out of the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade in Darwin to coordinate Defence’s response in supporting the emergency evacuations.

Three Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules transport aircraft have commenced evacuation operations out of East Arnhem Land. Two aircraft have evacuated people from Groote Eylandt and the third is evacuating people from McArthur River Mine airfield near Borroloola. A fourth aircraft, a C-17A Globemaster, will join the operation at McArthur River Mine airfield later today.

It is expected the aircraft will conduct a number of sorties throughout the day to evacuate those community members identified by the Northern Territory Government for emergency evacuation.

The featured photo shows Lightning striking in the skies surrounding Katherine Showgrounds as Australian Army soldiers from The 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal personnel set up emergency shelter tents.

March 22, 2019

Australian Department of Defence