Two Oakey-based army helicopters overcame failing equipment and appalling weather conditions to rescue almost 80 people during the flood emergency in Queensland and New South Wales, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has revealed.
Inquiries in both states will examine the preparedness and response to the flooding, including how well government agencies worked together.
The role of the ADF is expected to be included in this.
In March the ADF was criticised for the speed of its response in northern NSW, prompting it to apologise to people who felt they had not been supported.
Reflecting on its efforts two months on, Oakey Army Aviation Training Centre commandant David Lynch said the ADF had made a decision not to take risks in the weather, especially after rescuing survivors.
"Once we had a survivor on board, we believe we had a contract with them to take them back by the safest means possible," Colonel Lynch told the ABC.
Challenging conditions
Colonel Lynch said pilots flew in treacherous conditions, with low clouds forcing them to rely on their equipment and navigation instruments.
"[Crews were flying at] very low speed because of the low visibility."
Colonel Lynch said crews also had to deal with equipment failures and that on the first night of operations on February 25 some aircraft systems stopped functioning.
"We did lose the digital mapping system and forward-looking infrared sensor [that night]," Colonel Lynch said.
He said two helicopters from southern Queensland were the first Army assets in the air during the floods following a call for help from the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
"The response time was around two hours from the time we got the call to the time the first aircraft got airborne and started to reposition down at Amberley," Colonel Lynch said.
The Oakey-based pilots rescued 39 people in Queensland and 40 in New South Wales from February 25 to March 1.
In total, helicopter missions plucked 113 people to safety during the flood event.
Police had hands full
QPS Superintendent Danny Shaw has praised the ADF for its efforts.
"When you consider the weather conditions were so atrocious, the fact they could respond and rescue people … that response wouldn't have been able to be achieved, because we were fully committed," he said.
The Queensland Office of the Inspector General of Emergency Management has started hosting community forums after receiving submissions from various government departments.
The first forum was held in the North Burnett yesterday.
The office could provide an interim report to the Queensland government as early as June 30.
