03 January 2006
Village leaders visit ADF medical centre in Kashmir

Village chiefs from the district of Dhanni, Kashmir, were invited in late December 2005 to see first hand the humanitarian assistance work being carried out in their area by the Australian Defence Force contingent under 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.

20051228adf8195319_001 A village leader enjoys a cup of tea with Major Maurice 'Spud' Murphy. (Date taken: 28 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051228adf8195319_002 Flight Lieutenant Tim Strickland chats about environmental conditions with local village leaders during their visit to the Australian Defence Force medical centre at Dhanni, Kashmir. (Date taken: 28 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051228adf8195319_011 The commander of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) humanitarian mission under Operation Pakistan Assist, Colonel Andrew Sims, briefs village chiefs during their visit to the ADF medical centre at Dhanni, Kashmir.. (Date taken: 28 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051228adf8195319_018 Local village chiefs and Australian personnel listen to a brief about the humanitarian aid program during their visit to the Australian Defence Force medical centre, Camp Bradman, at Dhanni, Kashmir. (Date taken: 28 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051228adf8195319_021 Senior villager Mohammad Abdullah from Bankhodor is welcomed to Camp Bradman by Colonel Andrew Sims, the commander of the Australian Defence Force humanitarian mission under Operation Pakistan Assist. (Date taken: 28 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051228adf8195319_022 Chairman Qasi Sadigad from Qaziabad is welcomed to Camp Bradman by Colonel Andrew Sims, the commander of the Australian Defence Force humanitarian mission under Operation Pakistan Assist. (Date taken: 28 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20051228adf8195319_024 Chairman Sayed Tenveer of Kanur is welcomed to Camp Bradman by Colonel Andrew Sims, the commander of the Australian Defence Force humanitarian mission under Operation Pakistan Assist. (Date taken: 28 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20051228adf8195319_025 Colonel Andrew Sims, the commander of the Australian Defence Force humanitarian mission under Operation Pakistan Assist, Wing Commander Karen Leshinskas and Major Maurice 'Spud' Murphy pose for a group photo with local village leaders in Dhanni, Kashmir. (Date taken: 28 December 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res