Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel routinely train for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations and are positioned to rapidly deploy around the globe in response to crises ranging from natural disasters to conflict.
Background
This was recently evidenced when an RNZAF P-3K Orion departed from Whenuapai to conduct a reconnaissance to help plan appropriate humanitarian assistance to Samoa. The Pacific island nation was struck the same day by a massive 8.3 magnitude earthquake, generating 15-foot waves that destroyed whole villages. The disaster left more than 140 people dead in Samoa, Tonga, and neighbouring American Samoa.
Personnel Involved
The NZDF deployed 150 personnel from the Navy, Army, and Air Force and participated in a whole of New Zealand Government approach to assist the Governments of Samoa and Tonga with disaster relief.
The rescue operation was a joint military effort involving personnel from:
- NZDF Command element based at the NZ High Commission in Apia
- NZDF Environmental Health Officers
- NZDF Aero-Medical Evacuation team
- New Zealand Army (NZ Army)
- Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), and
- Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
Providing relief for the Pacific Islands was a massive, inter-agency exercise. Additional support was provided by personnel from:
- Samoan Government
- NZ Government agencies
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
- Ministry of Health
- Customs
- The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management
- Police
- National Government Organisations
- NZAID
- NZ Red Cross and other aid agencies, and
- Australian Defence Force.
NZDF Tsunami Draw Down
The NZDF successfully achieved its immediate disaster relief tasks in the wake of the tsunami and personnel and equipment no longer required left Apia aboard HMNZS Canterbury on Wednesday 21 October.
Wing Commander Karl Harvey, NZDF Senior National Officer said, “The effects of this tsunami have been felt across the South Pacific and it has had a significant impact on the people of Samoa and Tonga directly, something NZDF personnel have seen every day. The tragic loss of life cannot be reversed but we hope that with our contribution to the combined aid effort, the people of Samoa and Tonga can start down the road to recovery and rebuild their respective communities and countries.”
RNZAF’s Rapid Response
An RNZAF 3 SQN Iroquois
The tsunami hit the Pacific at 0648 NZ time on 30 September (that’s 29 September in Samoa, across the dateline). Within only a few hours of hearing that a tsunami was approaching, an RNZAF P3 Orion was tasked to provide assistance and arrived in Samoa at 1845 that day.
In providing such a rapid response to the disaster, the RNZAF had to carefully manage conflicting priorities and adapt as needed. By doing so, we demonstrated our ability to deliver directed operational requirements, while introducing new capabilities.
All four RNZAF operational flying Squadrons provided strategic airlift and hands-on support for Operation Samoa Assist:
No 5 Squadron
- An RNZAF P-3K Orion aircraft was the first to arrive on the day of the tsunami and conducted three days of disaster reconnaissance and aerial searches of the Samoan and Tongan coastline.
- Aerial information gathered provided vital information that enabled multi-national aid teams to prioritise support needs.
No 40 Squadron
Help clean up on Niuatoputapu Island
- An RNZAF C-130 Hercules and Boeing 757 aircraft flew seven missions from NZ. They delivered equipment and supplies, and transported medical, evacuation, and search and rescue teams.
- The Boeing 757 was also used to return eleven New Zealanders injured by the tsunami back to NZ.
- In a joint Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and RNZAF operation, an RAAF C-130 Hercules flew two flights from NZ delivering RNZAF helicopters and other aid.
No 3 Squadron
- One Iroquois helicopter conducted flying operations based at Faleolo International Airport.
- Two Iroquois helicopters provided tactical airlift and flew 76 hours in support of tasks for the Samoan Government, NZ Government agencies, NZ Police and other aid agencies. Most of the tasks were aid distribution from Faleata to villages in both Upolu and Savaii.
- RNZAF personnel also assisted in the clean up of Manono Island and the repair and re-floating of a local fishing vessel.
No 6 Squadron
- Seasprite NZ-3601 provided uplift of aid supplies to Niuatopatapu including the transportation of 40 tsunami victims to safety.
- RNZAF personnel also assisted in the cleanup of debris on the island.
No 5 Squadron First Off The Mark
By CPL Adam Coates
The first I heard about a tsunami was when I arrived at work on Wednesday 30 September. Reports were coming in about major damage to the Samoan and Tongan Islands and a tsunami warning had been issued for New Zealand. At 1000 we got the word that No 5 Squadron would be heading up to Samoa ASAP to conduct disaster reconnaissance.
Day One
The damage to a Samoan village
On arrival in Samoa the aircraft proceeded to fly low level along the southern coastline of Upolu, which was where the majority of the damage was being reported. The scene presented to us was something none of the crew will forget in years to come. The parts of the coastline at sea level were in ruin. Water was still visible much further inland than seemed possible and on the hills behind many of the villages, you could see a vivid line between dirt and vegetation, where the wave had travelled up the hill and ripped all the plant growth back into the sea.
There were large piles of floating debris up to 400m off shore in which lay many household items such as chairs and bedding. Sections of framework from walls could be seen on the bottom of the reef and in one case a large section of corrugated iron roof. No 5 Squadron had flown down this coast line not one month earlier and all the resorts and villages that once stood there were now just concrete foundations. After taking some initial photography, and with fading light, we headed back to Apia.
Day Two
On Day Two we got airborne shortly after sunrise, with intentions of collecting further imagery of both islands and heading to the northern Tongan groups to do the same. Due to mediocre light during Day One we flew back down the southern coastline of Upolu to gather better imagery. Observers were seated in each of the aircraft windows with the task of looking for significant damage or survivors in the water. We completed the day assisting the Samoan patrol boat Nafanua, directing them to items of interest in the water. Light was once again becoming an issue at this stage so it was back to Apia for crew rest and to plan and prepare for Day Three.
Day Three
Having covered Upolu Island in the previous two days the plan on Day Three was to gather imagery to determine how bad Savaii was damaged and then proceed south to Tonga. The amount of aircraft on the tarmac as we arrived at Faleolo that morning was very eye opening in terms of how many nations were involved in this operation—three Australian C-130s where on the tarmac, along with a US Coastguard C-130, and an Australian C-17 that had just left. An RNZAF 757 landed as we taxied out for takeoff. Numerous helicopters could also be heard on the radio dropping supplies to the villages that were cut off from vehicle access.
Once airborne it was determined visually and by photography that Savaii was not hit as badly as Upolu. We then flew south to assess islands in the Tongan region. After these islands were assessed and relevant imagery gathered we began the long transit back to Whenuapai.
Mission Accomplished
The information that was gathered in those first few days was used to determine which areas needed the most assistance. In turn, this helped other Squadrons, world-wide, to maximize their own relief effort by knowing which areas needed what supplies and whether they needed to be delivered by helicopter, or whether road access was available.
I am relatively new to No 5 Squadron and have only been on a few Search and Rescue operations. It amazed me to see the scale to which other countries are prepared to go to assist a nation in a time of crisis. I’m sure everyone who helped in any way with the Samoan relief effort feels very proud to have helped out with such an unfortunate event.
No 40 Squadron Primed and Ready To Go
By SGT Pele Tanuvasa
Loading pallets onto a C-130 Hercules
The morning of Wednesday 30 September started off in typical No 40 Squadron fashion—aircraft deployed to all four corners of the globe in support of NZDF operations, while a Hercules and Boeing held the fort back home in New Zealand, primed and ready to go should something go down.
Sure enough something did go down on that particular morning—a Pacific tsunami off the coast of Samoa. Immediately following its announcement, all Squadron hands that remained on deck were called on to help out our Pacific Island neighbours in their hour of need. In a demonstration of the effectiveness of airpower, No 40 Squadron was airborne and laden with desperately needed supplies and personnel less than 24 hours after the tsunami hit.
This required a considerable amount of effort, not only from Squadron personnel, but also the support services such as the Air Movements sections across the country who worked tirelessly through the wee small hours of the morning. Their support ensured we got what was needed to those who needed it, when they needed it. While No 40 Squadron is no stranger to short-notice aid flights, it’s always reassuring when we can prove our flexibility. As Samoa and her neighbours continue with the reconstruction effort, we can only hope that the assistance we provided will go some way towards helping them rebuild.
No 3 Squadron Rapid Iroquois Teardown
By AC Andrew Rayson
No 3 SQN reassembling NZ3806
Aircraftsman Rayson is a member of No 3 Squadron’s maintenance team. The team put in an amazing effort to have helicopters ready, in such a short time span, for transport to Samoa. This is his account of the team’s response.
When the call came out at midday that we were sending aircraft to Samoa for the tsunami relief effort, we had the first frame for the Iroquois under the gantry within five minutes. Small teams were quickly assembled and splintered off in all directions to complete the myriad tasks required to prepare. It was all hands to the pump—the Phase team ‘dropped tools’ on their jobs and came over to help, and some Senior Non Commissioned Officers, commonly seen lurking in the back offices, were also sighted in overalls with tools in their hands!
Within two hours, the team had:
- the main rotor head and mast assembly off and in the process of being dismantled for transport
- taken the synchronised elevators out
- installed the tail boom tie down bar in place
- removed and stowed one tail rotor blade
- fitted single-bogey wheels
- disconnected the aircraft battery
- installed tie down rails in the cabin, and
- checked and loaded toolkits for the rebuild on the other end.
When the Australian C-130 arrived at around 1530 to transport the first frame over to Samoa, it quickly became apparent that they would have trouble loading the frame without a winch. Immediately, a group of about 20 was organised and pushed the aircraft up into the ‘Herc’, and helped make short work of loading the rest of the gear.
Nightshift came on and took up the normal maintenance, while the second frame was moved to the gantry to be torn down in turn by a small dedicated team of volunteers who stayed on while the bulk of the dayshift headed home. By 1800, as the C-130 was taxiing out to take off, the second frame was almost completely torn down and nightshift moved in to finish off the job. The second frame was ready to be loaded by 2200, after a frantic but well coordinated effort.
Impressively, the scheduled 50-hour servicing and pack-up for the upcoming Exercise Steel Talon were not affected and, with a little extra effort, all the maintenance objectives for the week were met.
No 6 Squadron Supporting Pacific Neighbours
Seasprite dropping off supplies
By POHCM Jayden Strickland
No 6 Squadron deployed early last month to assist with relief efforts aboard HMNZS Canterbury.
Seasprite NZ-3601 and a crew of naval aviators captained by NO 6 Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Commander Jason Haggitt, and a 13-strong maintenance crew, sailed at 1000 on 10 October to assist with relief efforts. The ship’s first stop was Nuku’alofa, Tonga to uplift further aid supplies and local government vehicles for transport to Niuatopatapu. Canterbury arrived in Niuatopatapu on 14 October and swung into action by launching her Seasprite helicopter ahead of the ship to conduct aerial reconnaissance. A team of Army Engineers were landed ashore to assess the level of damage and prioritise how awaiting aid and manpower was to be utilised.
Over a period of two days, Seasprite 01 was tasked with under-slinging 87 loads (approximately 25 tonnes) consisting of:
- donated clothing
- food and water
- medical supplies
- building equipment
- generators and fuel, and
- water tanks
Seasprite 01 also transported over 40 people between ship and shore, shore and ship. This included 13 family members returning to the island who were unable to be transported by sea boats ashore.
During a period of limited flying activity, five members of the flight maintenance team also assisted ashore with cleanup of debris left behind by the tsunami.
Seasprite 01 and the flight crew provided a high standard of air lift capability to Canterbury during the tsunami relief. This was achieved through the professionalism, integrity, and teamwork of the No 6 Squadron’s attachment onboard.
Letter of Appreciation
From Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae
Children from Niuatoputapu Island
To the men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force I write to express my immense pride in the manner with which you have conducted yourselves around recent challenging events.
Of significance, is the way you responded to the Tsunami in the Pacific, and the marshalling of our immediate response to get aid and relief to those in desperate need.
I visited Samoa in person, accompanying the Foreign Minister Murray McCully, and we were both impressed by the “can do” attitude being shown by our people on the ground. This was epitomised in the way the crew reconfigured the Boeing 757 to allow for the medical evacuation of injured New Zealanders back to this country.
Multi-agency operations and tasks like these, reliant as they are on NZDF equipment, manpower and expertise for their success, are vital activities consistent with our mission to keep New Zealand secure.
I congratulate you for the quality of work you have been doing, in obviously challenging circumstances.