Huon passes on coconut

By LEUT Jodie Wilkinson

LCDR Kel Dillon (CO HMAS Huon) gives CMDR Alex Hawes (CO HMAS Yarra) a coconut, symbolising Huon’s end in OP Anode.

The passing of the ceremonial coconut, representing the assumption of duties in Operation Anode, by LCDR Kel Dillon (CO HMAS Huon) to CMDR Alex Hawes (CO HMAS Yarra) last month brought to an end Huon’s role in the Solomons.

Huon is the third Minehunter Coastal deployed as part of the maritime support element to Anode, providing maritime support to the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Huon had been on task in the Solomons since February 16. During this time, she had been primarily concerned with maritime patrol duties in the North Western part of the Solomons, in particular the Shortland and Choiselb Island groups and the border areas with Bougainville.

For the duration of the period, Huon embarked an Australian Federal Police (AFP) Officer, Senior Sergeant Marcel Kallane, representing the Participating Police Force (PPF).

The PPF is made up of members of the AFP and Officers from the Police Forces of NZ, PNG, Tonga and Fiji. The ship’s company enthusiastically embraced the task of helping to restore the rule of law in the Solomons conducting 18 village visits and one boarding, as well as providing maritime assistance to a combined PPF/ARA/RAN targeted operation on the Guadalcanal Island weathercoast.

The village visits were the most significant contact between the ship’s crew and the local people. During these visits sailors were able to witn ess first hand the conditions under which the Islanders were attempting to lead their normal lives.

Huon also made a special effort to engage local schools and communities in sport, especially soccer. The ship’s team was beaten 4-1 by the Maleai School U13s, followed by an equally impressive drubbing at the hands of the Gizo High School team 7-0.

Huon now undergoes a maintenance period in Darwin, after which she will depart with HMAS Diamantina (LCDR Paul Scott) for a three-month Asian deployment, encompassing a multination exercise in Singapore in April, and a Goodwillex in Japan in late May.

Huon and Diamantina will also visit Vietnam, Palau and Madang before arriving back in Sydney in early July.

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