Caption:
AusAID’s Sam Zappia talks with Flying Officer Mick McGirr and an Indonesian military official on the beach of Pariaman.

Mid Caption:
The Royal Australian Navy has conducted an amphibious landing on a beach in West Sumatra to offload an Army engineering squadron and their equipment. In conjunction with the Indonesian Military (TNI) and local authorities, the beach landing took place near Pariaman City just after midday. The engineering squadron sailed to Indonesia on board HMAS Kanimbla and landed in the earthquake effected area to assist and support current Australian forces in completing post-earthquake relief operations.

Operation Padang Assist commenced on 02 Oct 09 after the Indonesian Government accepted an offer of emergency assistance from Australia following two large earthquakes near the Indonesian Island of Sumatra. The ADF Joint Task Force 629 (JTF629) was established, and is working closely with Indonesian authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs, AusAID and other agencies, to ensure the emergency relief support is delivered to where it is needed most.