By LS Rachel Irving

HMAS Manoora departs Honiara.

Photo: WO2 Gary Ramage

Many Navy families of those serving in the Solomon Islands can expect their loved ones home for Christmas with the announcement of withdrawal of some Australian forces.

Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill announced the withdrawal on October 28, saying that progress in restoring law and order to the Islands has enabled a reduction in the military forces required to support police. HMAS Manoora (CMDR Martin Brooker) and her Sea Kings have departed Honiara, heading for her homeport of Sydney.

HMAS Diamantina (LCDR Paul Scott), which has been patrolling and visiting many of the remote villages and islands, will also return to her home in Sydney, while HMAS Betano (LCDR Terry O’Connor), busy transporting equipment and personnel, as well as patrolling, will return to her homeport of Darwin.

An Australian-led headquarters will remain in Honiara along with a logistics element including HMAS Brunei (LCDR Jeff Williams), which will oversee the transition of logistics functions.

A shore-based health and medical support element will also be set up to replace the facility on board Manoora. HMAS Wollongong (LCDR Stephen Thompson) will remain behind for now, patrolling much of the Solomon Islands, as will an Army and Air Force detachment.

It is anticipated that these ships and personnel will be rotated over the next few months. Since the first deployments to the Solomon Islands for Op Anode in July, approximately 1400 ADF personnel have provided support to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

.