Handing over a healthy operation





From Capt Andrew Bird in Honiara
SOLDIERS from 2RAR developed a strong partnership and company identity with the Pacific Islander Contingent to form a multinational response company before handing over to 5/7RAR.

The soldiers from 2RAR were the first on the ground in July 2003 and made a major contribution to the success of RAMSI.

During the two rotations, soldiers had been involved in the return of about 1500 displaced people, the destruction of about 18-tonnes of powergel explosives, widespread patrolling on the Weather Coast and Malaita and various combined operations with the police forces' Special Response Service.

The deployment of the 2RAR soldiers in July 2003 marked a high point in the battalion's history, having soldiers deployed in two AOs at the same time - Iraq and the Solomon Islands.