Operation Quickstep
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
During the leadup to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état on 4-5 December 2006, the Australian Defence Force began to deploy military resources to respond in the event of a coup by the Fijian military taking control from the Fijian government led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. The intention behind deploying these resources was to provide a platform for the evacuation of Australian citizens and nationals in the event of a violent military takeover of the Pacific nation.
Three ships of the Royal Australian Navy were deployed to the South-west Pacific, taking up station in international waters near Fiji, while several military transport aircraft were kept on standby.
Contents |
[edit] Timeline
Following tensions in Fiji between the military and the government throughout 2005-2006, the Australian Government dispatched three naval vessels to international waters off Fiji, in preparation for a potential evacuation of Australians. HMAS Newcastle was the first ship to arrive on station, having departed Sydney on November 1. HMAS Kanimbla departed two days later, after taking on additional equipment and personnel.[1] HMAS Success joined the two ships later, arriving on or before November 24.[2]
On 29 November 2006, a S-70 Blackhawk operating from Kanimbla crashed while attempting to land on the ship's deck, falling overboard and sinking in 2-3 kilometres of water. Nine of the ten crewmembers were rescued, with one, the pilot Captain Mark Bingley, dying from injuries. The tenth crewmember was lost, and was declared dead several days later.[3]. On March 6, 2007, the Minister for Defence, Brendan Nelson, announced that the Defence Maritime Services vessel MV Seahorse Standard had recovered the missing body from a depth of approximately 2,900 metres.[4].
The predicted coup d'état was carried out with minimal violence and no bloodshed on 4-5 December 2006, with government officials placed under house arrest and Fiji's parliament dissolved.
On December 20, 2006, the Australian Department of Defence announced that the forces committed to the possible evacuation would return to Australia. The feared violence had not occurred, and civilian flights to Fiji continued without disruption during the takeover. The need for a military-backed evacuation force was not evident at that point in time.[5]
[edit] Military units involved
Approximately 800 personnel were mobilised as part of the operation, primarily from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force.
[edit] RAN
- HMAS Newcastle
- HMAS Kanimbla
- Kanimbla carried a SAS contingent, evacuation handling teams, additional medical staff, and four Blackhawk helicopters.
- HMAS Success
[edit] RAAF
- Single AP-3C Orion, based at Pago Pago, American Samoa
- Multiple C-130 Hercules and Boeing 707s, based around Sydney, Australia
[edit] References
- ^ Aussie warships heading for Fiji. The Daily Telegraph (Australia), November 2, 2006.
- ^ Aussie Navy vessels ready for Fiji evacuation. Fiji Times, November 24, 2006.
- ^ "One dead, one missing in Black Hawk crash off Fiji", ABC, 2006-11-29. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
- ^ "Soldier's body recovered from ocean floor", Sydney Morning Herald, 2007-03-06. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ Australian Department of Defence. "ADF Task Group in the South-West Pacific returns to Australia". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
