Australian Defence Force Joint Task Force Deploys to Island Nation of Kiribati

August 9, 2008

Australian Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, has announced that an Australian Defence Force (ADF) Joint Task Force has deployed to the small Pacific Island nation of Kiribati to commence Operation Kiribati Assist. Operation Kiribati Assist is the ADF contribution to Australia’s response to a request from the Government of Kiribati to assist in the disposal of World War II unexploded ordnance (UXO) from locations throughout Kiribati.

The Kiribati islands were occupied by the Japanese during World War II and most UXO encountered in Kiribati are remnants from this conflict, and include military ordnance such as artillery projectiles, aerial bombs, rockets, mortars and mines.

Minister Fitzgibbon said that Joint Task Force (JTF) 637 deployed to Kiribati on a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules and will dispose of UXO identified during a 2007 reconnaissance of the islands and scope any future UXO disposal requirements and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training opportunities for the Kiribati Police Service during their deployment.

“JTF 637 is being deployed to Kiribati over the period 7-26 August 2008 and primarily comprises EOD personnel, whose function is to render-safe UXO,” Minister Fitzgibbon said.

“The JTF comprises approximately 22 people, including a Command Group, a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team to handle underwater UXO, Army and RAAF EOD teams who will handle land-based UXO, including air-delivered items and a Medical Team.

“Kiribati locals deserve to be free from the threat posed by UXO, which endangers their safety. Cooperative local community engagement to date has been successful in identifying UXO for disposal.

“The ADF has world-class skills, expertise and capability in conducting explosive ordnance disposal and is happy to be assisting our regional neighbour with this important work. Operation Kiribati Assist enables the Australian Government to support the Government of Kiribati and the local population in clearing the threat posed by unexploded ordnance,” Minister Fitzgibbon said.

Source: DoD

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