Image Gallery 2003
28 July 2003
Suspected explosive device
Operation Helpem Fren was only days old when the Solomon Islands Police called on the Combined Task Force and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to investigate a suspected explosive device.
AFP and Solomon Islands police cordoned off Henderson Airfield's international terminal outside Honiara in response to the discovery of the suspicious material found inside a filing cabinet in an adjacent building.
Australian Army Engineer Corporal Jason Harmon, an Explosive Ordnance Technician from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, 18 Field Squadron was dispatched from the Combined Task Force Headquarters to provide expert advice. Jason's home town is Ingham, Qld.
On arrival at the scene, Corporal Harmon teamed up with the Solomon Islands Bomb Disposal Unit led by Staff Sergeant Rex Waiwori. During the initial stages Jason talked the bomb disposal personnel through the high-risk search procedure using the experience he has gained over a number of years working with explosives.
On close inspection it was discovered that the bomb was a training aid designed to simulate an improvised explosive device (IED) that included a timer, power source and practice plastique. The air terminal was quickly declared safe and airport staff were able to resume normal activities soon after.
"The device was most probably left over from the training provided under the Defence Cooperation Program some time ago", Staff Sergeant Waiwori said.
A number of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) materials were also found in the same cabinet.
| JPAU26JUL03GR020a Australian Army Engineer Corporal Jason Harmon, an Explosive Ordnance Technician from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, 18 Field Squadron was dispatched from the Combined Task Force Headquarters to provide expert advice. Jason's home town is Ingham, Queensland. (Date taken: 26 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| JPAU26JUL03GR029a On arrival at the scene, Corporal Jason Harmon teamed up with the Solomon Islands Bomb Disposal Unit led by Staff Sergeant Rex Waiwori. (Date taken: 26 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| JPAU26JUL03GR05a Captain Chris Clapton, 26 years, of Maroubra, Sydney, NSW is the Operations Captain with 9 Force Support Battalion, based at Holsworthy, NSW. Chris was about to move his detachment into the building when they discovered the suspected device. (Date taken: 26 July 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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