The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is supporting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)-led effort to support the Government of Tonga following the eruption of Tonga’s Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano on 15 January.
As part of the international response to the volcanic eruption in Tonga, Japan has deployed four transport aircraft, including two Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules and two Kawasaki C-2, to move essential humanitarian assistance supplies from Japan to Tonga via RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.
Japan proudly joins Australia and other pacific nations working alongside the people of Tonga as the archipelagic nation recover from the effects of the devastating eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano and subsequent tsunami.
The ADF contribution, named Operation TONGA ASSIST 22, includes air reconnaissance using P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, airlift support using C-17A Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, as well as the deployment of HMAS Adelaide with embarked supplies, helicopters and Army engineer contingent.
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