Air Force has completed the deployment of a C-27J Spartan aircraft and crew to the Solomon Islands for a two-week mission in support of regional fishing protection.

Since 1979, member nations of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have banded together to seek the greatest possible social and economic benefits from sustainable offshore fisheries.

In recent years, and throughout 2025, the ADF has assisted by posting permanent ADF personnel to positions within the FFA and by participation in Operation Solania.

FFA Operations Officer Commander Khan Beaumont, of the Royal Australian Navy, explained the role of the FFA and how the ADF contributes to the agency.

“The role of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency is to provide fisheries advice and guidance to its 17 Pacific Islands member nations,” Commander Beaumont said.

“The ADF plays a crucial role for the FFA, under the banner of Operation Solania, whereby we have ADF assets that provide surveillance assistance to our Pacific partners.

“35 Squadron in particular has had a pivotal role in the operation for a number of years now. The squadron has regularly deployed to many of the islands in the Pacific to conduct fisheries operations and surveillance on behalf of the FFA.”

With the security of Australia’s regional partners being a major part of the National Defence Strategy, operations conducted by the FFA give opportunities for the ADF to collaborate and build stronger relationships with those countries most crucial to the prosperity of the region.

Exemplifying the multilateralism of the FFA, Squadron Leader Ashley Wilson of the Royal New Zealand Airforce explained how working alongside Australia and other agency members created a unified Pacific region.

“The member nations of the FFA, not just in Honiara but all over the Pacific region, have worked hard over the past two weeks to make the most of the assets we have available,” Squadron Leader Wilson said.

“It really is a joint effort. From those in the sky doing surveillance, to those on the water conducting boardings, to the 33 people at the Operations Centre. Everyone has come together in an attempt to ensure the future of the region’s resources.”