Our People in TAS
Angus Johnson - Sumatra Rescue Mission
Two weeks after the Padang earthquake Devonport soldier Captain Angus Johnson is walking through damaged buildings with locals and government officials, and discussing the damage.
Many of the city’s government buildings are partially collapsed or suffering serious structural damage and Angus’s job is assessing whether they need demolition or could be re-used after reasonable repair.
“We’re here to help the people of Sumatra get their lives back in order and get their communities functioning again,” Angus said.
“As an engineer I’m part of a team which is going out and giving structural advice on buildings as to whether they’re safe to use.”
“I am enjoying being used for what I can contribute to Army – and to Indonesia.”
Angus joined the reserves in 1987, the first time as an infantryman, before taking a long break to work overseas with a number of civilian firms. Returning to Australia several years later, he decided to rejoin the Army Reserve, this time with qualifications as a civil engineer.
“I wanted to put my skills to use in the Army, hoping that it would be more practical than in civilian industry and I would also get a more diverse managerial experience,” he said.
“I really enjoy my Reserve job back in Australia because it allows me to interact with a broad range of people so that all of us can work together to get something done.” And in Sumatra, even more so.
CAPT Johnson is most looking forward to seeing his family when he gets home and passing on the experiences he’s had while deployed.
“It’s such a unique experience to be able to come over to this part of Indonesia and help the local population out by enabling the rapid return of government services,” he said.
“We’re working here at the high level – I wouldn’t normally get the chance to and to have that link straight in, so it will be great telling everyone about how it went and the great experience that it is.”
CAPT Angus Johnson is currently serving on Operation Padang Assist with the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Task Force 629.
As part of the operation, Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen are working day and night to provide health care, purified water, and to deliver aid supplies to the people of Padang and the surrounding areas of West Sumatra in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that recently rocked the Indonesian province.