05 December 2005
ADF medics help Pakistan earthquake victims

An Australian Defence Force medical team of about 140 personnel began to deploy into Pakistan on 11-12 November 2005 to provide vital health care assistance as part of the Australian Government's relief assistance to Pakistan following earthquakes on 8 October 2005.

The ADF medical team quickly began work in the remote earthquake-devastated town of Dhanni, about 20km northeast of Muzaffarabad, on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line of Control.

Four Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters have been deployed to Pakistan to provide essential transport and support tasks for the ADF medical team. The helicopters have given the team mobility to extend assistance from the central medical facility at Dhanni to remote communities of the region, where earthquake damage has worsened the difficulties of limited road access, mountainous terrain and harsh winter weather.

The composition and skills of the team deployed reflect the extensive experience of the Australian Defence Force in providing humanitarian assistance in remote regions of other countries affected by natural disasters.

The ADF team includes a command element, aviation detachment, logistics and communications. Most of the health and support personnel are drawn from the Army logistic support force based at Randwick Barracks, Sydney. The medical team is supplemented by an Air Force primary health care team from Richmond, New South Wales. Other personnel are drawn from a range of units across Australia, including Reserves. The Black Hawk detachment is mostly from the Australian Army 5th Aviation Regiment, based in Townsville, Queensland.

20051201adf8239682_0021 RAAF Sergeant Maria Brown treats a local child in the Australian medical facility located in Dhanni, Pakistan, whilst on Operation Pakistan Assist. (Date taken: 01 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051201adf8239682_0065 Private Robbie Keenan, an Australian Army Medic, deployed on OP Pakistan Assist cares for a 5 month old baby while her mother is cared for. (Date taken: 01 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051201adf8239682_0237 Leading Aircraftman Michael Gunn treats a local child in the Australian medical facility located in Dhanni, on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line of Control, whilst on Operation Pakistan Assist. (Date taken: 01 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051201adf8239682_0255 Major Kylie Fardell examines a young girl in the Australian medical hospital in Dhanni, on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line of Control. (Date taken: 01 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051201adf8239682_0281 RAAF Sergeant Maria Brown treats a local child in the Australian medical facility located in Dhanni, on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line of Control, whilst on Operation Pakistan Assist. (Date taken: 01 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051202adf8239682_0393 Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Michelle Wyatt awaits a medical evacuation with a local girl who requires surgery to her hand. (Date taken: 02 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051202adf8239682_0498 Australian medics transport an injured local to an Australian Black Hawk helicopter, for transportation to a hospital in Islamabad. (Date taken: 02 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res