In late April, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) was called on to provide added support to police who are enforcing the rule of law in the Solomon Islands. Members of the ADF reinforced the military component of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which consisted of 60 personnel from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea prior to this deployment.
Private (PTE) Daniel Webb on patrol though the devastated Chinatown area, which was targeted by rioters during the recent unrest in Honiara. PTE Webb is one of approximately 240 Australian troops deployed to the Solomon Islands at the end of April to contribute to the ongoing assistance mission.
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Children of Honiara play in the street while Australian soldiers assist in keeping the peace. The main task for the military component is to provide security for RAMSI's multinational Participating Police Force, which is responsible for enforcing the rule of law in the Solomon Islands. RAMSI's assistance is known in the Solomon Islands as Operation Helpem Fren, which is Solomons Pidgin for 'helping friends'. |
Iroquois helicopters, such as this one taking off from Henderson Airfield, have been deployed to Honiara to provide capability for air movement of troops and aeromedical evacuation under Operation Anode, the ADF contribution to RAMSI. Part of the ongoing support of RAMSI by Australian deployments involves assisting the Royal Solomon Islands Police and the Participating Police Force to maintain security at the islands' airfield.
An Australian soldier patrols in the hills of Honiara as part of the ADF's support to RAMSI. RAMSI's mission is to assist the Solomon Islands Government to restore law and order in the country.
A picture of concentration, a soldier from 1 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment works in support of Australian Federal Police in Honiara. |
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald, and the Land Commander Australia, Major General Kelly, talk with the commanding officer of HMAS Bathurst, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Quinn, Royal Australian Navy, during their recent visit to Australian Defence personnel deployed with RAMSI.
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