Australia has mobilized one of its largest military transport aircraft, C-17A Globemaster III, to carry Vietnam’s peacekeepers and equipment that form its second deployment of Military Level 2 Field Hospital to South Sudan.

Australia will also transport Vietnamese personnel of Level 2 Hospital Rotation 1 back to Ho Chi Minh City.

COL Nerolie McDonald, Australian Defence Attache to Vietnam bids farewell to members of VN Level 2 Hospital Rotation 2 to South Sudan on the deployment day. Photo: Australian Embassy

The first sortie of the C17 aircraft left Hanoi at 11:00am on November 19 and will fly for around 12 hours to Juba, South Sudan. The second sortie, which transports the remaining military personnel and equipment, is expected to take place on November 26. In total, the two airlifts will fly 63 personnel and approximately 60 tons of cargo to South Sudan and transport the 63 personnel of Rotation 1 back to Vietnam.

“I am very proud to be here today to farewell Vietnam’s second medical contingent to South Sudan. The Level 2 Field Hospital is one of the most complex military units to deploy and Australia congratulates Vietnam on the outstanding success of its first deployment. Vietnam’s dedicated and professional military medical and support personnel are, rightly, earning the country an outstanding reputation for its contribution to UN international peacekeeping operations in South Sudan”.

“Australia has been privileged to support the training and strategic airlifts for this operation, which show a high level of cooperation and trust between the Australian Defense Force and Vietnam People’s Army,” said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie.   
 

Australian Ambassador HE Ms Robyn Mudie bids farewell to members of VN Level 2 Hospital Rotation 2 to South Sudan on the deployment day. Photo: Australian Embassy

Aside from the airlift, Australia has been providing Vietnam with support in peacekeeping since 2011. The support includes English language and Subject Matter Expert training for each of Vietnam’s deployments, helping Vietnamese peacekeepers meet the UN’s strict English and skills requirements. The language support for Rotation 3 of the Level 2 Hospital is also underway under the Defense Cooperation Program.