After more than five weeks away from home, including Christmas, more than 600 defence personnel have returned to Australia from Fiji where they helped the island nation clean up after a cyclone hit.
The group sailed back into Sydney Harbour on HMAS Adelaide on Tuesday morning, with some disembarking after returning negative COVID results and completing quarantine at sea.
The Joint Task Group was deployed on Christmas Eve, in response to a request for help from the Fijian government, after Fiji was devastated by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
Working with Fijian authorities the group assisted in cleaning up after the category five cyclone, repaired critical infrastructure, and carried out aerial assessments to determine the damage.
A $4.5 million Australian government assistance package for Fiji included building materials, tents, medical supplies, solar lighting and hygiene kits.
Australian personnel helped deliver 165 tonnes of relief supplies and 918,000 litres of clean drinking water, and they also assisted in the repair of 32 schools, getting them up and running for the start of the school year.
Australian Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds thanked the returned service men and women for their efforts.
"The more than 600 personnel spent the holidays away from their own families to assist the Fijian government with tasks such as repairing damaged school buildings and delivering essential supplies to local communities," Ms Reynolds said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne also paid tribute, and said the Australian government was happy to help.
"Australia is pleased to have worked in partnership with the government of Fiji in response to Tropical Cyclone Yasa," Ms Payne said.
"Unfortunately, the resilience of Fiji is being tested again with Cyclone Ana causing widespread damage over the weekend and more bad weather forecast this week.
"Australia stands ready to assist where we can", Ms Payne said.
