Farewell to Solomons

By Andrew Stackpool and LT Chantal Llora

THE drawdown of Air Force elements involved in Operation Anode is all but complete – coming soon after the first anniversary of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

All but four No. 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing personnel have returned to Australia. The bulk of personnel returned on July 28, followed by the Air Load Team on August 4.

The four who remain in the Solomon Islands are in the Force Extraction Team assisting with preparing and cleaning equipment for its return. They are expected home in mid-August.

Squadron Leader Rohan Gaskill, of 395ECSW, said a great deal of attention had gone into preparing all gear for return to Australia.

“Everything was stringently cleansed and checked,” he said. “We had inspectors checking it in-country and again after it returned to Australia. It would have been pointless to go help another country only to place our own at risk after we came back.”

Since the first personnel and two Caribou aircraft from No. 38 Squadron deployed in July last year, about 120 combat support personnel deployed to the area in four rotations. They were based at Henderson Airfield, near Honiara, in conditions that initially were very basic.

“They started with individual hutchies and mosquito nets,” SQNLDR Gaskill said. “Eventually they moved into tents and after about six months we got a number of demountables although some offices remained in tent accommodation.”

In June the Australian Government announced a reduction of ADF personnel as the law and order situation continued to improve.

The Caribous returned to Townsville on July 3.

The July 24 anniversary of RAMSI’s one year in the Solomon Islands was an auspicious occasion for not only the ADF and Australian Federal Police members, but also for the locals who had their first opportunity to openly thanks RAMSI for its support. The day featured a march through the streets of Honiara by RAMSI personnel and locals.

The cheering crowds on the street and signs such as “Thank you for your help” and “Happy anniversary RAMSI” were a sure indicator of the gratitude the Solomon Islanders have for the hard work done by personnel over the past year.

The march ended at the Lawson Tama Stadium where the crowds were entertained with traditional dancing. Dignitaries included Defence Minister Robert Hill; CDF General Peter Cosgrove; Solomon Islands PM Sir Allan Kemakeza; New Zealand Defence Minister Mark Burton; and Special Coordinator RAMSI Nick Warner.

 

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