Personnel
cuts to Op Anode
ONLY
100 Australian servicemen and women will remain in the Solomon
Islands by the end of July.
The Government has decided to bring home the other 550 ADF elements
following continued progress in the restoration of law and order.
In a joint statement, Defence Minister Robert Hill, Foreign Affairs
Minister Alexander Downer and Justice and Customs Minister Chris
Ellison said RAMSI had transformed the security environment since
its deployment a year ago.
In August 2003 there were more than 1700 military personnel serving
in RAMSI to support police. The gradual ADF drawdown began in
November.
1HSC, Holsworthy, departed the Solomons late June. They were responsible
for providing essential health services for military personnel
and were at times augmented by specialist staff from the Navy
and Air Force.
The Force Spt Sqn of about 84 personnel, predominantly Army, but
including some Air Force elements, also left June. These personnel
were deployed from Townsville, Brisbane and Melbourne-based units
with duties including road transport, logistic, engineering, maintenance
and administration.
The key elements of the remaining ADF contingent will be an Army
Force Protection detachment and headquarters staff.
An Australian naval vessel will also continue to serve in Solomon
Islands waters until a Solomon Islands patrol boat is able to
resume this responsibility.
