Operation Kokoda Assist – Update

Operation Kokoda Assist – Update

Personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Papua New Guinea authorities are progressing with the recovery of victims of the Kokoda air crash despite arduous conditions at the site.

Black Hawk helicopter crews have completed inserting personnel and equipment from the AFP Disaster Victim Identification team into the site to assist PNG authorities in the challenging recovery task.

Commander of the Task Force, Wing Commander David Howard says flying conditions into the site will continue to be difficult over the weekend.

“We have been fortunate today to get a break in the weather which has allowed the Black Hawks to touch down at a rudimentary landing pad cut from the jungle in what is extreme terrain,” Wing Commander Howard said.

“We are taking some contingency fuel supplies to the Kokoda Airfield should our Black Hawk helicopters have to re-locate there.

“Over the next couple of days we’ll be continuing to insert specialists and stores into the crash site as the weather allows us.”

ENDS

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