More than 250 members of the 17th Sustainment Brigade (17 BDE) were rapidly preparing to respond to the flood crisis in Lismore, NSW on March 4, as part of Operation Flood Assist 2022.
The detachment includes logistics, medical and real-life support elements sent to support the wider Australian Defence Force effort and locals as they continue to assist with the emergency response.
Fuel operators from the 9th Force Support Battalion, caterers from the 10th Force Support Battalion, and general duties and communications specialists from 145 Signals Squadron also deployed to provide support. Environmental health and preventative medical teams from the 3rd Health Support Battalion and 2nd Health Battalion also deployed.
Commander 17 Sustainment Brigade, Brigadier Natasha Ludwig, said she welcomed the opportunity to provide relief to the town of Lismore.
"The 17th Sustainment Brigade is well postured to provide logistics and health support to the ADF elements operating out of Lismore, and in South East Queensland." said Brigadier Ludwig on March 4.
"We are contributing prepared, professional, and capable teams ready to conduct bulk-refuelling, medical support and catering support.17th Sustainment Brigade will also provide almost two hundred general duties personnel - we know from experience in these types of support operations that tasks are unpredictable and can change daily.
Corporal Jarrod Garnet of 9th Force Support Battalion unloads essential supplies for distribution to flood-affected areas in northern NSW during Operation Flood Assist 2022.
In charge of the road transport movements from 17 BDE, recent graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon graduate and Troop Commander, Lieutenant Sally Gray said that her team were looking forward to the opportunity to provide support.
"Our vehicles are ready, we have our people assigned, and we're feeling very positive about the opportunity to provide help to the community of Lismore," said Lieutenant Gray.
"Well before we were tasked to provide this support, my troop have been keen to assist our local community, with many volunteering their weekends.
"Like all Australians, we really want to help, and we're looking forward to contributing to the emergency response in whatever way we can."
You can see more of the ADFs work on Operation Flood Assist 2022 in the Defence image gallery.
