Solomons celebrate mission’s milestone

By Lt-Col Christopher Holcroft

PUBLIC concerts, religious services and poster and essay competitions were part of activities across the Solomon Islands to celebrate RAMSI’s second anniversary.

RAMSI Military Commander Maj Darren Wright said the existing 40-strong ADF contingent was pleased that the mission continued to be a success.

“The assistance to the Solomons is collectively known as Operation Helpem Fren and is a partnership between RAMSI and the Solomon Islands to create an environment where the country can once again move forward together in peace and stability,” Maj Wright said.

“The main task for the military personnel deployed here is to provide security support to RAMSI’s Participating Police Force.

“Our infantry soldiers support the police officers by accompanying them on patrols throughout the Solomon Islands. Also, specialist military staff in the headquarters along with military representatives from other Pacific countries coordinate the multinational military effort as part of RAMSI’s objective of maintaining law and order.”

A multinational peacekeeping force arrived in the Solomons on July 24, 2003, after a number of years of unrest on the islands.
Maj Wright said children on the islands had been participating in an essay and poster competition to celebrate RAMSI’s second anniversary, with more than 300 entries received in the poster competition alone.