26 December 2005
Christmas Day 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.

20051225adf8195319_013 Visiting troops on Christmas Day, the commander of the Australian Army Logistics Support Force, Brigadier Mick Kehoe (rear, centre), addresses the Australian Defence Force medical team providing humanitarian assistance in Dhanni, on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line Of Control. (Date taken: 25 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051225adf8195319_017 Members of the Australian Defence Force medical team in Dhanni, Kashmir, use their clinic tent air-conditioners as a makeshift Christmas lunch table. (Date taken: 25 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051225adf8195319_018 Members of the Australian Defence Force medical team in Dhanni, Kashmir, enjoy a rare break from ration packs with a Christmas lunch of roast chicken, potatoes and salad followed by dessert of Christmas cake, plum pudding and ice cream. (Date taken: 25 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051225adf8195319_057 Federal Relief Commissioner Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan (centre), who heads the Pakistan Government earthquake relief effort, and the commander of the Australian Army Logistics Support Force, Brigadier Mick Kehoe , listen to a briefing about the work of the Australian Defence Force medical team in Dhanni, Kashmir. (Date taken: 25 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051225adf8195319_060 Federal Relief Commissioner Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan (left), who heads the Pakistan Government earthquake relief effort, and the commander of the Australian Army Logistics Support Force, Brigadier Mick Kehoe (centre) , listen to a briefing about the work of the Australian Defence Force medical team in Dhanni, Kashmir, from the commander of the team, Colonel Andrew Sims (third from left). (Date taken: 25 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051225adf8195319_116 Major 'Spud' Murphy (left) is presented by members of the Pakistan military with a Christmas cake for the Australian Defence Force medical team deployed in Kashmir under Operation Pakistan Assist. (Date taken: 25 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res