Recovery Support Force News

HMAS Tobruk has completed its mission in the Philippines and is returning to Australia with a load of Army engineer machinery, vehicles and 35 Army personnel. A small Recovery Support Force of 65 combat engineers, tradesmen and support personnel, mostly from Townsville’s 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, will remain in Ormoc for a further week to continue clean-up and repair tasks coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Government. Commander of Joint Task Force 630 Lieutenant Colonel Rod Lang said the departing engineers and HMAS Tobruk’s crew had achieved their mission to help with the Philippines’ recovery.

'HMAS Tobruk' has arrived to commence recovery support operations in the Ormoc region of Leyte Island to assist the Philippines government repair the damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan. The warship sailed from Townsville with a Recovery Support Force onboard, and is now disembarking Army personnel from Townsville’s 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment by landing craft. The engineers will commence a range of tasks including road clearing and quick impact tasks such as debris clean-up in public areas.