Image Gallery 2003
28 July 2003
Arrival of troops in the Solomons
At the invitation of the Solomon Islands' Government, the military component of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands is working to improve the lives of our Pacific neighbour. The Australian-led Mission, called Operation Helpem Fren (Pijin for Help A Friend) involves police, military and civilian components from around the Pacific region. The police contingent is supporting the Royal Solomon Island Police in their efforts to re-establish law and order in Solomon Islands. The military is assisting these police efforts by providing a secure environment where law and order can be re-established.
The military component of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands began arriving in Honiara on July 24. Personnel and equipment arrived at Henderson Airfield on Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft, chartered civilian aircraft and by sea from HMAS Manoora. The Military Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel John Frewen was among the first Australian, Republic of Fiji Military Forces and New Zealand military personnel on the ground. The build-up of the Mission's military personnel from around the Pacific region will continue over the next two weeks. The military contingent will remain in Solomon Islands for as long as it is needed to assist with police operations.
| JPAU24JUL03GR138a Australian soldiers arrive in the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU24JUL03GR139a Soldiers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces arrive in the capital Honiara, Solomon Islands. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU24JUL03GR338a Nick Warner, the Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, receives a warm welcome from the Solomon Island Government on his arrival at Henderson Airfield in Honiara. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU24JUL03GR232a Australian soldiers arrive in the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara. A large crowd of local residents gathered at the capital's airport gate to welcome the new arrivals. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU24JUL03GR238a The Commander of the Military Contingent force for Operation Helpem Fren, Lieutenant Colonel John Frewen enjoys the welcome ceremony along with the Austalian Deputy Police Commissioner Ben McDevitt. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU24JUL03GR314a A Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopter departs Honiara airport at the end of the official welcoming ceremony. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU24JUL03GR327a A Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying Australian troop arrives at the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU24JUL03GR383a Nick Warner, the Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands receives a warm welcome from the Solomon Islands' Government on his arrival at the Henderson Airfield. The Commander of the Military Contingent, Lieutenant Colonel John Frewen enjoys the welcome ceremony along with the Mr Warner. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU24JUL03GR357a Nick Warner, the Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands receives a warm welcome from the Solomon Islands' Government on his arrival at Henderson Airfield in Honiara. The Solomon Islands' Police Commisioner William Morrel accompanies Mr Warner as he receives a General Salute from a Solomon Islands Police honour guard. (Date taken: 24 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 26 July 2003 Weapons destruction Ceremony |
|
| JPAU26JUL03SB014 Private Tuate Karikaritu, Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Sapper Craig Reedman, 3 Combat Engineer Regiment, destroy surrendered firearms at the first operation weapons destruction ceremony in Honiara. (Date taken: 26 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU26JUL03SB011 Sappers Stuart Pollock, 2nd Royal New Zealand Engineer Regiment and Craig Reedman, 3 Combat Engineer Regiment, destroy surrendered firearms at the first operation weapons destruction ceremony in Honiara. (Date taken: 26 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU26JUL03SB004 Chairman of the Solomon Islands' National Police Council, Paul Tovua gets a helping hand from Sapper Craig Reedman, 3 Combat Engineer Regiment in destroying firearms during the first operation weapons destruction ceremony in Honiara. Also at the ceremony were Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands Special Coordinator, Nick Warner, the Deputy Police Commissioner Ben McDevitt and a new friend. (Date taken: 26 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU26JUL03SB019 A local Solomon Islander police constable joins military and police representatives from the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands as they hold destroyed firearms after the first weapons destruction ceremony in Honiara. From left, Private Tuate Karikaritu, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Lieutenant Colonel John Frewen, Commander of the military component of RAMSI, Police Constable Simon Tofuola from the Royal Solomon Islands Police, Sapper Craig Reedman, 3 Combat Engineer Regiment, Solomon Islands Police Commissioner, William Morrell, Assistant Commissioner Mark Johnsen and Sapper Stuart Pollock, 2nd Royal New Zealand Engineer Regiment. (Date taken: 26 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 27 July 2003 Church service A group from the Australian military contingent participating in Operation ANODE were invited to a church service at the Anglican Catherdral in Honiara. The small group who attended the church service were led by the Combined Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel John Frewen and the Commanding Officer of HMAS Manoora, Commander Martin Brooker. The Solomon Islanders gave the Australian, New Zealand and Fijian service men and women a warm and heart-felt welcome. The service was led by the Governor General of the Solomon Islands, Father Sir John Ini Lapli. |
|
| JPAU27JUL03GR049a At the church service, a local girl is joined by Private Lance Edwards (left) who is a member of 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) based at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland and standing beside him is Corporal Clint Vecchio, who is also a member (2RAR). (Date taken: 27 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU27JUL03GR137a Lieutenant Colonel John Frewen addresses the congregation at the end of the church service. Lt-Col Frewen is the Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland. (Date taken: 27 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU27JUL03GR118a Lieutenant Kellie Robinson, 25 years, of Alderley, Brisbane, Queensland participates in the communion with other military personnel who attended the church service. Kellie's home town is Bendigo, Victoria. (Date taken: 27 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| JPAU27JUL03GR076a The Solomon Islanders gave the Australian, New Zealand and Fijian service men and women a warm and heart-felt welcome. (Date taken: 27 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
