The first vessels, HMA Ships "Brisbane" and "Flinders", arrived in Darwin on 31 December. "Flinders" surveyed the approaches to Darwin, ensuring the safety of the taskforce, while "Brisbane" landed working parties and established communications. The entire 13-ship task force had arrived in Darwin by 13 January 1975, bringing over 3,000 personnel. RAN personnel was primarily assigned to clear the suburbs of Nightcliff, Rapid Creek, Northern Territory, and Casuarina, while aircraft and helicopters were used to move evacuees and supplies, and CDT1 inspected ships in the harbour for damage and cleared several wharves. Vessels of the task force began to depart Darwin as early as 7 January, with HMA Ships "Brisbane" and "Stalwart" the last to depart on 31 January, after command of the relief operation was turned over to the Commandant of the Army's 7th Military District.