Pictures: HMAS Canberra’s relief force hard at work in Fiji wastelands

AUSTRALIA’S enormous new floating air base HMAS Canberra has been deploying its troops to help get shattered Fiji back on its feet after the devastating cyclone.

One of HMAS Canberra's landing craft leaves the ship and heads toward Koro Island, Fiji to unload vehicles as part of Operation Fiji Assist relief mission. Source: Defence

AUSTRALIA’S enormous new floating air base HMAS Canberra has been getting down to business, deploying its troops and heavy equipment to help get shattered Fiji back on its feet.

Earlier this week, Australia’s defence force chief completed a two-day tour of Fiji in the wake of deadly Tropical Cyclone Winston.

He, and defence photographers, toured the worst hit areas of the island to thank the more than 900 troops on the ground as part of relief efforts.

Stripped bare ... Two light cargo vehicles approach Koro Island, Fiji during Operation Fiji Assist. The 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) conducted a survey of the island to assess the condition of roads, houses, schools and other infrastructure. Source: Defence

HMAS Canberra and New Zealand’s equivalent, HMNZS Canterbury, have been at the heart of the international rapid-response rescue and reconstruction effort.

returning from the tour where he met Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin says the troops are doing an “outstanding” job and have delivered at least 480 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and equipment.

“The Fijian people are extremely grateful,” he said in a statement

Engineers from the Brisbane based 2 Combat Engineer Regiment land on Koro Island to begin damage assessment to essential buildings and infrastructure. Source: Defence

Australian Army vehicles drive through the devastation the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston toward the village of Nassau on Koro Island, Fiji. Source: Defence

Australian Defence Force personnel from HMAS Canberra and the Amphibious Task Group, walk to the village of Nassau on Koro Island, Fiji. Source: Defence

HMAS Canberra's Amphibous Beach Team land on a beach on the northern part of Koro Island, Fiji to conduct a survey as local children watch on. Source: Defence

Australian Army soldier Sapper David Jones from 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment and Republic of Fiji Military Force Sapper Bernard Waqaivolavola work together to assemble a Mobile Storage Unit in the village of Nassau, Koro Island, Fiji. Source: Defence

One of HMAS Canberra's landing craft approaches the beach landing site on Koro Island, Fiji to unload personnel and vehicles as part of the Operation Fiji Assist relief mission. Source: Defence

As part of Operation Fiji Assist, Australian Army soldiers from 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment together with Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel and members of the Koro District Department of Infrastructure collect corrugated iron from Nassau Village on Koro Island, Fiji. Source: Defence

A Royal Australian Navy MRH-90 Helicopter from 808 Squadron, comes in to land at Koro Island, Fiji. Source: Defence

Royal Australian Navy Aircrewman, Chief Petty Officer Jim Ritchie looks out at the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston, during HMAS Canberra's first MRH-90 helicopter flight into Koro Island as a part of Operation Fiji Assist. Source: Defence

Royal Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Canberra, Leading Seaman Electronic Technician Tevita Vula (B) and Able Seaman Maritime Logistics — Chef Apete Turuva (F) walk through the wreckage of Nassau on Koro Island, Fiji. Source: Defence

Nasua villager Mr Junior Kaitani, throws a piece of what was once his bakery into a pile, while an Australian Army 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment John Deere 450 bulldozer helps to clean up the area ravaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston as a part of Operation Fiji Assist. Source: Defence

Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Australian Army personnel, work together to clear debris as a part of Operation Fiji Assist on Koro Island. Source: Defence

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a reconnaissance of Koro Island as a part of Operation Fiji Assist. Source: Defence

Troops from 2CR helps cheer up the local kids with a rugby game, as Australia ramps up its relief efforts after Cyclone Winston devastated local communities, especially the town of Nassau on Koro Island, north of Suva, Fiji. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian