Australian Defence Force support to the bushfire crisis began in September 2019 and the ADF provided a staggering range of support to emergency and recovery tasks at the request of state and local governments to bolster authorities on home soil, thankfully a rare requirement however. The ADF officially ceased Operation Bushfire Assist 2019-2020 last week on March 26.

The bushfire emergency was on such a scale it triggered the first call out of ADF Reservists in Australia's history. Many young men and women from the Mid North Coast who serve in the ADF in both a full and part time capacity answered the call during this devastating time.

The personnel, equipment, planning and logistical support the ADF provided during Operation Bushfire Assist was an obvious add on to the already massive effort required to fight the largest fire event in our nations history. But what can the ADF bring to the fight of the worst health crisis in 100 years?

Nationally the COVID-19 response is being carefully managed by state and federal authorities at all levels and the ADF now nests into this Whole-of-Government (WoG) effort. Understandably Defence has put in charge the man who during the assistance mission to the Solomons in 2003 set the standard for WoG missions, Lieutenant General John Frewen. Early during the COVID-19 outbreak Defence was assisting through planning, logistics and contact tracing support and now the ADF has literally put boots on the ground by supporting mandatory quarantine arrangements.

Lieutenant General Frewen stresses to the Australian public that the ADF does not have law enforcement powers. He added that "we are simply assisting civilian agencies as they undertake the important work of ensuring that rules are being followed". Across the country the ADF is contributing to the fight against COVID-19 through reconnaissance and planning support teams to all state and territory governments to assist with emergency response planning. They are providing contact tracing teams to work with authorities in all states and territories if requested. The ADF is currently supporting New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, with teams ready to support South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory if requested.

As many of us would have seen on television news the ADF is currently established at Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns airports to support mandatory quarantine arrangements for air arrivals into Australia. The ADF has also been supporting the Department of Health with logistics and specialist staff and has provided health, logistics and movements support to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Border Force repatriation and care of Australian Nationals on Christmas Island and Howard Springs via RAAF bases Learmonth and Darwin.

Australia is fortunate in that we have a Defence force with the agility, skills and equipment to support the nation at times like these, they are not just about 'war fighting'. The leader of the Defence contribution to the fight against COVID-19, Lieutenant General John Frewen has a message to all Australians regarding his team; "When you see Defence personnel at airports or on the streets, remember, they are part of the communities they are trying to help. They are answering the call, as Defence has done for more than a century. We must continue to work together to slow the spread and to save lives. I have every confidence the ADF will serve you well. Please support them as they support you."

During these uncertain times where forms of isolation become the norm, none of us should lose contact with family and friends. For the veterans community it is truly at time to look after our mates. We would do well to call each other up see how our mates are going and if you, or someone you know might need a hand, please call your local RSL Sub Branch as they may be able to assist.

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