The Australian Defence Force's support to the Northern Territory Emergency Response Task Force is being coordinated under Operation OUTREACH. The Australian Defence Force began its support on 27 June 2007. There are approximately 80 personnel involved with supporting Operation OUTREACH.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Rozzoli of the Australian Army's North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) has been appointed Commander of Operation OUTREACH's Joint Task Force 641 (JTF 641).
ADF support to the NT Emergency Response Task Force currently includes mobility, communications and sustainment assistance to police and civilian health teams, interagency liaison and assistance with the procurement and provision of medical stores and contracted trade services (project management, engineering advice, construction and transport).
Small survey teams have completed community engagement and area surveys in 73 communities across the NT.
JTF 641 is currently based on the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE), a Regional Force Surveillance Unit located throughout the NT. NORFORCE has built significant goodwill, trust and recognition in indigenous communities during the last 26 years. The unit has a high proportion of Aboriginal soldiers whose talents are being fully utilised. The unit relies heavily on the commitment and local knowledge of the population of northern and central Australia to fulfil its role.
The Australian Government has appointed Major General Dave Chalmers as the Operational Commander of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Task Force's Operational Group.
Major General Chalmers is also a member of the Taskforce Leadership Group, chaired by Magistrate Dr Sue Gordon. In effect, Major General Chalmers is exercising a role similar to that of an Executive Director.
Major General Chalmers has considerable organisational and command experience in a range of endeavours, notably in Timor-Leste and as commander of the joint task force that provided humanitarian relief in Sumatra in the wake of the tsunami.
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