Anode team comes home

Sergeant Leisa Zantuck receives an affectionate welcome home from her husband, Flight Sergeant Stephen Zantuck, at RAAF Base Townsville on her return from deployment in the Solomon Islands. She was among the first rotation of Air Force members to come back last week.

Photo by Scott Radford-Chisholm/Townsville Bulletin

MORE than 60 Air Force personnel were welcomed home by family and friends at RAAF Base Townsville last week after spending three months contributing to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

The first rotation of personnel deployed as part of Operation Anode returned home one day after the Government announced the gradual reduction of military forces serving in the region.

The Air Force Task Group included members from No. 38 Squadron Detachment C from RAAF Bases Amberley and Townsville and No. 386 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron Detachment from around Australia.

Substantial progress in restoring law and order to the region has led to the decision to progressively withdraw military forces over the coming months, with more than 800 ADF personnel to return home by Christmas.

While there will be a reduced military presence, the ADF will continue to provide military support to the Solomon Islands through the rotation of specialist personnel into the new year, including aircrew and support personnel from 38SQN Caribou Detachment C and 386 ECSS Detachment.

The first rotation of the Air Force Task Group provided mobility, support and airfield services to the mission.

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