New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media ADVISORY
Tuesday February 1, 2005

Defence Personnel Depart For Banda Aceh Thursday

62 Defence personnel leave for Indonesia this Thursday to replace personnel who have been deployed since late December in Jakarta, Medan and the tsunami devastated province of Banda Aceh.

Acting Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Air Commodore Dick Newlands says the demanding nature of operations in extreme working conditions has necessitated a rotation of NZ Defence Force personnel.

The contingent consists of a Light Medical Team (LMT) and RNZAF aircrew.

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Backgrounder

1. Introduction. In response to the 26 December 04 tsunami, NZDF personnel and Force Elements (FE) were deployed to the affected region for a period of 30 days to provide immediate humanitarian assistance.

2. While considerable progress has been made in the region, the demanding nature of operations in unpleasant working conditions has necessitated a rotation of remaining NZDF personnel deployed as the immediate response contingent. Government of New Zealand has directed that the second rotation of NZDF personnel will be deployed for 60 days from end Jan - end Mar 05.

3. Rotation. Light Medical Team (LMT) and RNZAF personnel rotation will take place at RNZAF Base Ohakea. A VIP party will farewell and welcome LMT/RNZAF personnel.

4. Personnel currently deployed to Indonesia will return to New Zealand after completing their handover with the incoming contingent. They are expected to arrive in the early hours on Tuesday February 8, 2005.

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