25 December 2005
Christmas Eve on Operation Pakistan Assist

An Australian Defence Force medical team is working in Pakistan and Kashmir as part of a humanitarian mission to provide vital health care assistance to people affected by the 8 October 2005 South Asia earthquakes. The team has established a medical centre at the remote town of Dhanni, about 20km north-east of Muzaffarabad, on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line Of Control.

The team, of about 140 personnel, includes medical personnel, a command element, an aviation detachment and logistics and communication personnel. Four Black Hawk helicopters are deployed to provide essential transport and support tasks.

The helicopters give the ADF team the mobility to extend medical care from the central hub at Dhanni to assist a large number of people in the harsh terrain of the surrounding region who need medical attention as a result of the earthquake.

The Black Hawk detachment is primarily from the Australian Army 5th Aviation Regiment based in Townsville. The health and support personnel comprise members of the Army's logistic support force based at Randwick Barracks, Sydney; a Royal Australian Air Force primary health care team from Richmond, New South Wales; and personnel drawn from a range of units across Australia, including Reserves.

20051224adf8195319_003 Private Lenny Henderson gives a sick child a Pooh Bear toy and balloon during a health check in the Australian Defence Force medical centre in Dhanni, Kashmir. The toys were donated by humanitarian agencies. (Date taken: 24 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051224adf8195319_006 Wing Commander Karen Leshinskas and Captain Connie Jongeneel give a balloon and a Pooh Bear toy to a sick child receiving attention in the Australian Defence Force medical centre in Dhanni, Kashmir. The toys were donated by humanitarian agencies. (Date taken: 24 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051224adf8195319_015 Private Robert Keenan gives a Pooh Bear toy to a small child while his mother queues for assistance at the Australian Defence Force medical centre in Dhanni, Kashmir. The toys were donated by humanitarian agencies. (Date taken: 24 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051224adf8195319_016 A boy of the earthquake-devastated town of Dhanni, Kashmir, receives toy gifts from Private Robert Keenan, who is serving with an Australian Defence Force medical team in the town.The toys were donated by humanitarian agencies. (Date taken: 24 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res