Operation Quickstep
Operation Quickstep was the name given to the deployment of military resources by the Australian Defence Force during the leadup to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état on 4–5 December 2006, during which the Fijian military took control of the Fijian government which, at the time, was led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. The intention behind deploying the military resources was to provide a platform for the evacuation of Australian citizens and nationals in the event of a violent military takeover of the Pacific nation.
| Operation Quickstep | |
|---|---|
HMAS Kanimbla in Darwin in July 2006 | |
| Objective | Preparations for the evacuation of Australians from Fiji |
| Date | 1 November – 17 December 2006 |
| Outcome | Evacuation was not required and the units involved returned to Australia on 17 December |
| Casualties | 2 killed, 1 S-70 Blackhawk lost |
Three ships of the Royal Australian Navy were deployed to the South-west Pacific, taking up station in international waters near Fiji, while several military transport aircraft were kept on standby.
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