Operation Quickstep
Encyclopedia
Operation Quickstep was the name given to the deployment of military resources by the Australian Defence Force
during the leadup to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état
on 4-5 December 2006, during which the Fijian military
took control of the Fijian government which, at the time, was led by Prime Minister
Laisenia Qarase
. The intention behind deploying the military 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.
was the first ship to arrive on station, having departed Sydney on 1 November. HMAS Kanimbla departed two days later, after taking on additional equipment and personnel. HMAS Success joined the two ships later, arriving on or before 24 November.
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. On 6 March 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.
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 the forces committed to the possible evacuation returned to Australia on 17 December. 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.
, Australian Army
and Royal Australian Air Force
.
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
during the leadup to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état
2006 Fijian coup d'état
The Fijian coup d'état of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état and 2005-2006 Fijian political crisis....
on 4-5 December 2006, during which the Fijian military
Military of Fiji
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces are the military of the Pacific island nation of Fiji. With a total manpower of 3,500 active soldiers and 6,000 reservists, it is one of the smallest militaries in the world. However, most of its surrounding island nations have no militaries at all...
took control of the Fijian government which, at the time, was led by Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Fiji
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji is the head of government of Fiji. The Prime Minister was appointed by the President under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution....
Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase is a Fijian political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment...
. The intention behind deploying the military 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
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
were deployed to the South-west Pacific, taking up station in international waters near Fiji, while several military transport aircraft were kept on standby.
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 NewcastleHMAS Newcastle (FFG 06)
HMAS Newcastle , named for the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, the largest provincial city in Australia, is an Adelaide class guided-missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy . The last ship of the class to be constructed, Newcastle entered service in 1993...
was the first ship to arrive on station, having departed Sydney on 1 November. HMAS Kanimbla departed two days later, after taking on additional equipment and personnel. HMAS Success joined the two ships later, arriving on or before 24 November.
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. On 6 March 2007, the Minister for Defence, Brendan Nelson, announced that the Defence Maritime Services
Defence Maritime Services
DMS Maritime, formerly Defence Maritime Services, is an Australian company providing port services to the Australian Defence Force and Australian Customs Service National Marine Unit. DMS was founded in 1997 and currently operates 8 ocean going vessels and over 100 harbour craft and has around 350...
vessel MV Seahorse Standard had recovered the missing body from a depth of approximately 2,900 metres.
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 the forces committed to the possible evacuation returned to Australia on 17 December. 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.
Military units involved
Approximately 800 personnel were mobilised as part of the operation, primarily from the Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
, Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
.
RAN
- HMAS NewcastleHMAS Newcastle (FFG 06)HMAS Newcastle , named for the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, the largest provincial city in Australia, is an Adelaide class guided-missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy . The last ship of the class to be constructed, Newcastle entered service in 1993...
carrying:- A Seahawk Helicopter
- HMAS Kanimbla carrying:
- An SASAustralian Special Air Service RegimentThe Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR but commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army...
contingent - Evacuation handling teams
- Approximately 50 additional medical staff, largely from 1HSB1st Health Support Battalion (Australia)The 1st Health Support Battalion is a unit of the 17th Combat Service Support Brigade of the Australian Army. It is based at the Holsworthy Army Barracks in Sydney.-Role:...
, providing a level 3 surgical capability - A Sea King Helicopter.
- An SAS
- HMAS Success
Army
- Four Blackhawk helicopters
- 1HSB1st Health Support Battalion (Australia)The 1st Health Support Battalion is a unit of the 17th Combat Service Support Brigade of the Australian Army. It is based at the Holsworthy Army Barracks in Sydney.-Role:...
RAAF
- Single AP-3C OrionAP-3C OrionThe Lockheed AP-3C Orion is a variant of the P-3 Orion used by the Royal Australian Air Force for tasks such as naval fleet support, maritime surveillance, search and survivor supply and anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare...
, based at Pago Pago, American SamoaPago Pago, American SamoaPago Pago , also spelled ', is the capital of American Samoa. In 2000, its population was 11,500. The city is served by Pago Pago International Airport. Tourism, entertainment, food, and tuna canning are the primary industries here. From 1878 to 1951, this was a coaling and repair station for the... - Multiple C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
and Boeing 707Boeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
s, based around Sydney, Australia