In response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami , which resulted in widespread damage across northern Sumatra and Aceh , more than 900 Australian military personnel were sent to provide humanitarian aid in the area . This included 15 air traffic controllers , C-130 Hercules , helicopters , and . In April 2005 , a Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopter crashed while attempting to land in Nias , resulting in the deaths of nine personnel . Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono , who was visiting Australia on a state visit at the time , bestowed posthumous medals of valour on the nine personnel killed in the crash , while four men from a nearby village , Tuindrao , were presented with Australian Bravery Medals for their response to the crash , which two personnel survived . They were the first Indonesians to receive the medal
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Australia–Indonesia relations