DILI, Timor-Leste – Two Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) ships, Her Majesty's Australian Ships Betano (L133) and Balikpapan (L126), delivered critical care to remote parts of Timor Leste in support of Pacific Partnership, June 22.
The LCHs provided transport, meals and accommodation for personnel from the U.S., Spanish and Australian militaries as well as non-governmental organizations such as World Vets, Vets without Borders and Project HOPE.
The landing craft delivered these people and their equipment to the village of Oecussi, where teams conducted medical, dental and veterinary civic action programs.
"We were welcomed with open arms, everyone on the LCH is very friendly, and I feel they are excited to have us here. We work hard during the day to help the people of Oecussi, but the LCH crew gives us really good food and we have fun after working hours. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to experience the Australian Navy's hospitality," said U.S. Army Specialist Laura Long.
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LOS PALOS, Timor-Leste (June 22, 2011) The sea boat from HMAS Balikpapan brings veterinarian personnel ashore at the Leutem district to conduct a Pacific Partnership veterinarian civil action program. Pacific Partnership is a five-month humanitarian assistance initiative that will make port visits to Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia. (Royal Australian Navy photo by Leading Seaman Imagery Specialist Helen Frank) |
In addition to transporting equipment and personnel, the LCH crews have also helped at medical civic action programs (MEDCAPS) by directing patients, playing sports with the local children during community service events, and on one occasion, fixing the local school bus.
The LCHs, also known as 'pick up trucks of the sea,’ are 132 feet in length and can carry a maximum of 180 tons of cargo. Their shallow draft allows them to deliver people and equipment to areas that are otherwise unreachable, which is a key requirement for humanitarian assistance/disaster response missions like Pacific Partnership.
During their time in Luganville, Vanuatu, the second country visited by Pacific Partnership this summer, the LCHs conducted beach surveys with the Royal Australian Navy's Deployable Geospatial Survey Team and pre-positioned supplies in various remote locations. They also undertook amphibious evolutions with the New Zealand multi-role amphibious transport ship HMNZS Canterbury (L 421).
"We have enjoyed working with the other partner nations including New Zealand, Spain and the United States," said Lieutenant Trevor Stecum, RAN, commanding officer of Balikpapan. "We normally support the Australian Army’s amphibious operations, and it's nice to have the opportunity to participate in a humanitarian assistance mission like Pacific Partnership."
This is the second time Betano has participated in Pacific Partnership and the first time for Balikpapan.
“Having Betano and Balikpapan for the Timor-Leste phase of the mission is absolutely crucial,” said Capt. Jesse A. Wilson, mission commander for Pacific Partnership 2011. “Their ability to navigate shallower waters and provide an independent support platform allows us to send teams out to remote locations and know that our people will get the support they need.”
With the Royal Australian Navy participating every year since the first mission in 2006, Pacific Partnership has provided medical, dental, educational, and preventive medicine services to more than 230,000 people and completed more than 150 engineering projects in 15 countries over the last five years.
US Pacific Fleet