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On patrol: Pte Dane Sanders and LCpl Andrew Magann on Honiara wharf during one of the regular patrols 7 Section conducts throughout the local area.
Photo by Cpl Rachel Ingram |
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ALMOST a year since the April 2006 riots razed Chinatown, Honiara is slowly being reconstructed with the help of soldiers from Combined Task Force 635.
From their forward operating base near the CBD, soldiers patrol the streets by foot or vehicle to assist the international Participating Police Force.
A carpenter by trade, infantryman Pte Dane Sanders said the soldiers provided security that allowed for repairs to take place.
“I have noticed a bit of rebuilding and development since we’ve been here,” Pte Sanders said.
“Their scaffolding is very wild, but from what I’ve seen, with what tools they have to use, they do a pretty good job. The thing I enjoy is getting out patrolling and seeing the people, seeing the country and interacting.”
The soldiers often patrol all day before returning to the Combat Team Southern Cross’ Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the night.
“Then the next day you could be doing FOB security for 24 hours,” he said. They are also kept busy with cleaning, preparation, briefings and catching up on sleep.
On the other side of town, in the jungle high above Honiara’s Rove Prison, Pte Andrew McDoogle is on shift in an observation post.
Rove is another detachment for the combat team, which conducts static and mobile security patrols around the prison and its surrounds.
“My role in the OP is to keep a log on what actually occurs,” Pte McDoogle said.
“If there is anything of great significance we’ve got comms down to the command post and they can alert the Solomon Island Prison Service or SI Police Force.”
Like the other soldiers on Operation Anode, Pte McDoogle is enthusiastic at the chance to deploy.
“This is probably the main sort of operation that reservists train for as opposed to your more high-risk things, so it’s good to get out and put our training into practice,” he said.
Pte McDoogle said the soldiers enjoyed patrolling the streets.
“Probably the best part of the operation so far is getting out and talking with the locals.”
Soldiering on in the Solomons
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