Solomons emergency
1RAR’s Ready Company Group activated to assist RAMSI

On patrol: A Coy 1RAR soldier Pte Christian Webb in the Solomon Islands during his short-notice deployment to assist RAMSI. Photo by Cpl Neil Ruskin, 1JPAU

By Cpl Damian Shovell

A STORM-DELAYED flight only added to the anticipation of A Coy 1RAR’s homecoming when it landed a day later than expected in Townsville after a month of reinforcing the maintenance of law and order with the RAMSI.

The short-notice deployment of the Ready Company Group, based on A Coy, was in response to security concerns following the shooting death of Australian Federal Police Protective Services Of.cer Adam Dunning – who was also an RAAF Reservist–- on December 22.

1RAR’s homecoming on January 25 follows its relief in place by B Coy 3RAR.

Having been tasked as Ready Company Group since November 2004, A Coy 1RAR received the call-up on December 22 and was on the ground in Honiara the next day.

CO 1RAR Lt-Col Chris Field, who headed the contingent, said the job was well within the capabilities of the welltrained and well-equipped battalion, which since returning from East Timor in November 2003 has continued with an extensive training program.

“The battalion spent 2004 conducting training with every ri.e company in 1RAR undertaking the Combined Arms Battle Wing based in Townsville, and no extra training was required to enable A Company to deploy at short notice to the Solomon Islands,” he said.

Lt-Col Field said A Coy conducted patrolling and security tasks to support police in Honiara and provincial regions.

“Basically wherever we were required we provided security.”

He said the police and the locals were grateful for the presence of the soldiers, who in turn found both the experience of working alongside police and helping to provide stability to the Solomons gratifying work.

“All the soldiers were very happy to deploy and they did an excellent job.” Lt-Col Field said deploying days before Christmas had been dif.cult but he praised the 1RAR families and DCO Townsville for their support to deployed personnel, and held special praise for 1RAR RSM WO1 Mick Johnson for what he described as his outstanding effort in ensuring all welfare issues were met.