Sea Power Series: Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 2019-2020: The Royal Australian Navy’s Role and Response

With fires burning across every state and territory, the 2019-2020 bushfires were, in every sense of the phrase, a national emergency. On 31 December 2019, Defence Minister, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, CSC, announced the commencement of Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 2019-2020 (OP BA). OP BA, which concluded 26 March 2020, saw the Australian Defence Force (ADF) support civilians and emergency services in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel were among the more than 8200 ADF members - including 2500 reservists - who contributed to OP BA. In addition to highly visible activities like civilian evacuations and fire mapping, Navy personnel carried out medical triage, delivered fuel, cleared roads and provided drinking water to fire affected communities. These efforts were part of the largest coordinated bushfire relief and recovery operation in Australia’s history.