Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have joined the French Armed Forces of New Caledonia to practise Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) as part of Exercise Croix du Sud 2018 (Ex CDS18), 14-25 May.
The exercise is held every two years and with eleven participating nations, it is the largest HADR exercise to be conducted in the South Pacific.
Ex CDS is aimed at preparing participants to assist major HADR operations while enhancing cooperation and interoperability. After starting with Force Integration Training, participants will launch into a hypothetical tsunami disaster scenario within a complex security setting.

Australia’s involvement includes a headquarters element of about 30 personnel, Australian Army engineers from Townsville’s 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Royal Australian Navy vessels including HMAS Choules and Minehunter Coastal vessels HMAS Gasoyne and Yarra.

The Royal Australian Air Force will provide a KA350 King Air tactical utility aircraft and C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter to support air operations.

The ADF has extensive experience providing HADR assistance to regional neighbours. Participation in Ex CDS18 provides Defence with the opportunity to train disaster relief response alongside a multinational force.

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