Image Gallery 2009
19 November 2009
Aussies and Tongans on patrol
TONGAN soldiers return home in early December after four months of service in Solomon Islands with their Australian and New Zealand counterparts.
A combined Marine, Navy and Infantry platoon of more than 30 men joined the Australians at Canungra in South East Queensland for pre-deployment training.
The TDS contingent then deployed on July 31 with Operation ANODE in support of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
Australian Major Garren Hamilton said it had been a “tremendous” experience working with Tongan soldiers.
He said working in Solomon Islands required a high degree of judgment and the Tongan Defence Service had provided a unique capability to Rotation 19.
“The Tongan Defence Service came to Australia about three weeks into our training and completely changed the tone of the entire camp,” Major Hamilton said.
“It really lifted our soldiers and lifted the whole atmosphere of the camp.”
Marine Lance Corporal Chris Christopher Pou’uhila said it had been a good professional opportunity to work with Australian and New Zealand soldiers to make Solomon Islands a more peaceful country.
| 20091109adf8222937_011 A Tongan section including Australians support Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Technician, Noel Bako, with a presence patrol at Hell's Point near Honiara in Solomon Islands. Tongans, Australians and New Zealanders worked closely together on Rotation 19 of Operation ANODE in Solomon Islands. (Date taken: 09 November 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091109adf8222937_012 Australian signaller Private Guy Jensen, left, Tongan Defence Services Lance Corporal Christopher Pou'uhila and Privates Viliami Daai and Nginingini Malakai patrol Hell's Point near Honiara in Solomon Islands. Tongans, Australians and New Zealanders worked closely together on Rotation 19 of Operation ANODE in Solomon Islands. (Date taken: 09 November 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091109adf8222937_013 Tongan Lance Corporal Christopher Pou'uhila, left, Australian signaller Private Guy Jensen and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force explosive ordnance technician Noel Bako patrol at Hell's Point near Honiara in Solomon Islands. Tongans, Australians and New Zealanders worked closely together on Rotation 19 of Operation ANODE in Solomon Islands. (Date taken: 09 November 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091109adf8222937_014 Tongan Lance Corporal Christopher Pou'uhila, foreground, and Australian signaller Private Guy Jensen on patrol at Hell's Point near Honiara in Solomon Islands. Tongans, Australians and New Zealanders worked closely together on Rotation 19 of Operation ANODE in Solomon Islands. (Date taken: 09 November 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091114adf8208022_381 Australian Defence Force medic, Private Mike Stringfellow joins soldiers from the Tongan Defence Services on a routine patrol with the Solomon Island Police Force at a soccer match in Honiara. (Date taken: 14 November 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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