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| Soldiering on in the Solomons By Cpl Mike McSweeney Volume 11, No. 61, March 08, 2007 |
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Lt-Col Martin commands more than 120 Queensland-based soldiers who created history in January when they became the first independent Reserve sub-unit to deploy since World War II. The soldiers, mostly drawn from 25/49RQR and 9RQR, deployed as part of CTF 635, which also includes a New Zealand and Tongan platoon. Lt-Col Rowan Martin said the contingent had built on the foundations laid by previous deployments. “We have been able to provide the military support to the Participating Police Force by helping to maintain peace and stability and law and order around the area,” he said. “The Solomon Islands can, at times, be somewhat unpredictable. I think for that reason, you need a force which is still capable enough to deal with any contingency that may arise. “I think the force structure that we have here at the moment is about right for this point in time.” Lt-Col Martin’s task force consists of a provincial patrol, a quick response force and Combat Team Southern Cross. The combat team conducts patrols around Honiara from its forward operating base and from a detachment at Rove prison. Lt-Col Martin said he was impressed with the level of maturity and life skills his soldiers had brought to the operation. “They’ve displayed a great level of sensitivity to the people over here and have been able to adapt well to the task overall,” he said. “One of the benefits that our soldiers have in the RAMSI mission is we’re out in the streets all the time, we’re out engaging with the people all the time, so they become very familiar with the soldiers. “They appreciate them being here because they feel safe and secure to get out and live their normal lives.” |
