HOPE FOR SOLOMONS

Troops unload the first C-130 Hercules to arrive in the Solomon Islands as part of Operation Helpem Fren, the initiative designed to restore law and order in the troubled Pacific island country. Photo by AAP.

Members of the Combat Support Group with Prime Minister John Howard and Commander CSG Air Commodore Stewart Cameron at a farewell ceremony at RAAF Base Townsville. Photo by CPL Craig Sharp

By CAPT Sarah Hawke
and CPL Belinda Mepham

INTENSE media interest, hot humid conditions and a warm response from Solomon Islanders greeted the first ADF personnel to arrive in Honiara on Operation Helpem Fren (pidjin for “help a friend”) on July 24.

The first flight of mainly 2 Royal Australian Regiment soldiers and military contingent commander Lieutenant Colonel John Frewen arrived just after first light aboard an RAAF C-130 Hercules aircraft.

On one of the first flights, so he could be in place to direct military aircraft at the Henderson Airfield, was Sergeant Shane Kay, of No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron Detachment Darwin. As he took a breath during flights, SGT Kay said, “I was champing at the bit to get over here, it’s always good to get a run.”

He is among a contingent of Air Force Combat Support Group members.

Apart from the contribution of the C-130s in transporting personnel and equipment to the Solomons, the Air Force’s commitment includes an air element of two Caribou aircraft and crew from Amberley and Townsville for airlift support.

Sergeant Mark Blunsdon, of 1ATS Det Richmond, said, “We have been on numerous operations recently, we are well trained and I am personally looking forward to another challenge.”

Leading Aircraftwoman Kelly Rourke, of 1ATS Det Darwin expected to be very busy.

“... much like Interfet, we will but putting the equipment for this large force on the ground,” she said.

Squadron Leader Wendy Horder, of No. 321 Combat Support Squadron at Darwin, said the deployment was an opportunity full of potential.

“I am very excited but well prepared for this deployment. I am looking forward to working in a coalition of Pacific nations. Stability in our region is the goal of the operation, which I am thrilled to play a role in,” she said.

At the invitation of the Solomon Islands government, the ADF personnel are part of the police-led regional assistance mission that also includes civilian contingents. The immediate purpose of Op Helpem Fren is to restore law and order in the Solomons.

The ADF will support police personnel from around the Pacific as they work with Solomons’ police to provide safety and security to the country and re-establish conditions for the revival of the economy.

As the flights continued to stream in from Townsville, 280 personnel, together with military and police equipment, was being landed from HMAS Manoora, anchored off shore near the military and police camp at Guadalcanal Beach Resort. Army LCM8’s brought the cargo on to the grey sandy beaches known as Red Beach from the infamous World War II battle.

While it is on a beach, it is far from a resort with the swimming pool long dried out and full of cane toads and the deserted bungalows designed for 40 guests now home for more than 1000 personnel.

While this is a different operation, those who served in Bougainville noted the similar weather and topography.

Local Solomon Islands journalists covering the arrival commented about the very positive response Op Helpem Fren was receiving across Solomon Islands and that the people were eager for law and order to be improved.

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