Sig Kim Edhouse and Sig Matthew Kreisfeld take time out to visit the local children around Honiara. Photo by Capt Andrew Bird, 1JPAU(P)

They're still waving
The third Op Anode rotation hits Honiara




From Capt Andrew Bird in Honiara
THE latest round of troops to reach the Solomon Islands have been prepared for a complex and challenging tour as Op Anode passes the eight-month mark.

Locals still waved as the third rotation of military personnel, mostly from 5/7RAR, took up their duties.

The military contingent now consists of almost 720 personnel, including:

The new commander of the combined task force, Lt-Col John Hutcheson told the incoming troops that their rotation would be complex and challenging.

He said for him the transition of functions provided by the military component of RAMSI continued, but the important thing for the soldiers was to stay focused on their mission to provide security and logistic support to the Participating Police Force (PPF) in order for the PPF to return law and order.

Before departing, newly-promoted outgoing commander Col Quentin Flowers addressed the troops, saying the fact that, eight months into the operation, the Solomon Islanders were still waving and clapping was a testament to the work of RAMSI personnel at all levels since the operation began in July 2003.

"Commanding the RAMSI military contingent has been an honour and a privilege and a highlight of my military career," he said.

"Assisting in the process of restoring security and law and order to the Solomon Islands has been an incredibly worthwhile and rewarding experience."

While RAMSI is a police-led mission, the military component had been fully tasked since day one.

RAN ships and Australian and New Zealand Air Force assets provided essential support to the establishment of police posts outside Honiara, including three on the neighbouring island of Malaita.