Croix du Sud humanitarian relief exercise concludes

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have participated in the recently concluded multi-national humanitarian relief exercise, code-named Croix du Sud 2014, in New Caledonia, France.

The ten-day exercise witnessed participation from nearly 700 personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, France, the UK, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu and the US.

Exercise Croix du Sud is organised every two years by the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, with a scenario based on the devastating aftermath of a category four cyclone.

Australian Contingent commander Wing Commander Jim Xinos said: "Exercise Croix du Sud allows us to come together as contributing nations and work towards providing assistance to a country in need.

"The likelihood of this type of event occurring in our region is quite high, which is why we rehearse this scenario every couple of years."

Nearly 200 personnel from the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force contributed across all facets of the exercise, which challenged the participants to assist the local community with humanitarian relief and security, as well as coordinate the evacuation of Australian citizens and foreign nationals.

The ADF is planning to support the next edition of the exercise when it is held in New Caledonia in 2016.