Departed Shipmates

Deskjockey · **Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:00 am

A very sad day indeed.

My thoughts go out to the families and shipmates of these very brave people.

RIP

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:57 am

A truly sad day for all three of our Defence Forces, and the families of those killed, not in some enemy action, but whilst providing humanitarian assistance to those who are unable to help themselves.

This most recent sacrifice of our willing military youth only sticks in my craw because, despite any appreciation from the desperate local recipients on the ground, Australia is still resented for our perceived 'interference' by many in the Indonesian hierarchy…

I’d like to think that the loss of five NAVY, three AIRFORCE and one ARMY personnel in the course of carrying out their duties, assisting the unfortunate survivors of the recent earthquake in Nias, would have a lasting impact on the attitude of our neighbours, that their sacrifice would mean something, but I won’t hold my breath…

My thoughts go out to their families, may those who perished rest in peace… and may Indonesia start appreciating our assistance... [-o<

tafmo · **Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 1:15 pm

Concur wholeheartedly Rick. A very sad day for the military and for Australia.

What's even worse than the views of 'interference' by the Indonesian hierarchy, are the views of 'interference' by ferals within our own country. Too bad we couldn't swap some of them for the servicemen and women who tragically lost their lives in this accident.

BC · **Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:40 pm

Too true Tafmo.

Concur with your comments as well Rick.

bobcat · **Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:22 pm

Hippy Chippy wrote:

I’d like to think that the loss of five NAVY, three AIRFORCE and one ARMY personnel ... [-o<

Correction there ... it has now been confirmed that it is six Navy personnel and three RAAF only - nil Army. The two survivors are one Navy and one RAAF.

If anyone watched "Enough Rope" with Andrew Denton some months ago, he had a Navy pilot on there who had just returned from Iraq. Sadly, he was the pilot of this Sea King that crashed; a young life taken.

A very sad day for Navy and RAAF indeed. My heart goes out to their families who were expecting them all home earlier, but duty called and they answered.

Rest your oars ... one and all of you. You are a credit to your Service.

Bobcat :tear:

bobcat · **Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:37 pm

UNCLASSIFIED
FROM: CN AUSTRALIA
DTG: 022358Z APR 05

SUBJ: ACCIDENT INVOLVING HMAS KANIMBLAS SEA KING - NIAS ISLAND
1. IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT I MUST INFORM YOU THAT AT APPROX 1930K LAST NIGHT WE LOST 6 OF OUR OWN WHEN A SEAKING EMBARKED IN HMAS KANIMBLA CRASHED ON THE ISLAND OF NIAS, INDONESIA. 3 MEMBERS OF THE RAAF ARE ALSO MISSING, PRESUMED DEAD.
2. ONE SAILOR AND ONE AIRMAN WERE FORTUNATE TO SURVIVE THE INCIDENT AND ARE BEING TREATED BY THE MEDICAL TEAM ONBOARD KANIMBLA.
3. THE HELICOPTER WAS CONDUCTING A SORTIE IN SUPPORT OF OP SUMATRA ASSIST II, INSERTING A MEDICAL PARTY TO CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT OF THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE.
4. IT IS TOO EARLY TO KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN FLYING FOR A NUMBER OF HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS, THE TERRAIN WAS FLAT AND THE WEATHER WAS FINE. AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TEAM IS BEING DEPLOYED TO INVESTIGATE WHY THIS HAPPENED.
5. HMAS KANIMBLA WILL REMAIN IN THE AO TO CONTINUE WITH ITS IMPORTANT MISSION PROVIDING MEDICAL AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE. HER ABILITY TO MOVE STORES AND INJURED PEOPLE IS SLIGHTLY DIMINISHED BUT SHE HAS A FULL SURGICAL CAPABILITY AND A SECOND HELICOPTER TO SUPPORT FORCES ASHORE.
6. I SHARE THE GRIEF OF THE NOK AND MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH THEM, THE SHIPS COMPANY OF HMAS KANIMBLA, THE NAVAL AVIATION AND MEDICAL COMMUNITIES. I ALSO EXTEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE RAAF.
7. REQUEST THIS MESSAGE RECEIVE WIDEST POSSIBLE DISSEMINATION.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNCLASSIFIED
FROM: CN AUSTRALIA
DTG: 030730Z APR 05

017 ALL SHIP 017 ALL SHORE 016 ALL OVERSEAS
AUSTCOM KUALA LUMPUR, WELLINGTON, HONIARA, SINGAPORE, AUSTCOM
SUVA, AUSTEMB SEOUL (FOR DEFENCE ADVISER), AUSTEMB BERLIN, MANILA,
PARIS EMB, TOKYO, ROME, BANGKOK, PHNOM PENH (FOR DEFENCE
ATTACHE), AUSTCOM LONDON (FOR HADS), AUSTCOM PORT MORESBY (FOR HADS
PNG), AUSTEMB JAKARTA (FOR NAVAL ATTACHE), AUSTCOM NUKU ALOFA, APIA,
PORT VILA (FOR RAN ADVISER), AUSTEMB POHNPEI (FOR MSA/FMS/MSA RMI)

SUBJ: ACCIDENT INVOLVING HMAS KANIMBLA SEA KING - RAN CASUALTIES
A. CN AUSTRALIA I2U 022358Z APR 05
1. TODAY I INFORMED THE NAVY OF THE FATAL CRASH OF A SEA KING
(SHARK 02) IN NIAS, INDONESIA. THE FOLLOWING NAVY PERSONNEL
WERE KILLED IN THIS INCIDENT DURING HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
OPERATIONS ON 2 APRIL 2005.

LEUT PAUL JOHN KIMLIN RAN M8099712
LEUT JONATHAN CURLEWIS KING RAN M8100452
LEUT MATTHEW PHILLIP GOODALL RAN M8109719
LEUT MATTHEW PETER DAVEY RANR M8266975
POMED STEPHEN SLATTERY M8082197
LSA SCOTT BENNETT M8092230

2. I WISH LSCIS SHANE WARBURTON A SPEEDY RECOVERY FROM HIS
INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT.
3. ON BEHALF OF THE RAN, I AGAIN EXTEND MY HEARTFELT
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND SHIPMATES OF THE
DECEASED.

Bobcat

phred · **Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:06 am

My thoughts also go to the family and friends of those lost in the helo acident.

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:18 am

THEIR SACRIFICE OUR PRIDE LEST WE FORGET

This photo of our Sea King Helo Squadron, sent to me by Peter Maher,
shows the ill fated Sea King "Shark 02" at the top of the pack... [-o<

Closest to the Almighty I reckon...

Kittbagg · **Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:43 am

Now we wait whilst the blame gets distributed or the media beat up! Please!! Let them rest in peace!

My first thought was if they didn't have to go back this would not have happened!! A thought I think that will probably be foremost in the crew of KANIMBLA's minds!

Kittbagg

tafmo · **Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:18 am

A thought that will be in many peoples' mind Gary.

Departed Shipmates

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