A multinational contingent led by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has arrived in Solomon Islands to safely dispose of dangerous explosive remnants of war under Operation Render Safe. At the invitation of the Government of Solomon Islands, the ADF is leading a joint team of experts from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the UK and US.
The multinational team will work with explosive ordnance disposal experts from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to dispose of explosive remnants of war in Western Province until mid September. This iteration will feature up to 250 personnel and is the largest ever land-based Operation Render Safe. In the lead-up to the operation, the ADF has been working with the RSIPF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department to significantly bolster its capability with new equipment and advanced training. Operation Render Safe is the longstanding ADF-led operation supporting Pacific nations to dispose of remaining World War II explosives in the region. The operation occurs annually, or in response to an urgent request from a Pacific Island nation.
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, said: “Ammunition and explosives from World War II continue to pose a real danger to local communities in the Pacific, including Solomon Islands. More than 500 explosive remnants of war have already been identified in Solomon Islands’ Western Province and we expect this operation will discover and dispose of even more. We are proud to conduct this operation alongside key partners, including the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, who are regional leaders in explosive ordnance disposal. The safe disposal of explosive remnants of war provides communities with access to more land for agriculture and infrastructure, and helps to improve the conditions for economic development in the future.”
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laudable work for our armed forces to be contributing to Pacific people. The irony is another war is being prepared for where Pacific countries will be used to wage war against China likely leading to ongoing impacts on their countryside’s and people. Mostly children in SEA countries continue to lose limbs and lives as a result of the American war of the 60-70’s. War must be relegated to the past as a means of managing conflict! The international community needs to have a concentrated focus on our warming planet 33 degrees in Brisbane! in Winter! rising sea levels and dangerous weather patterns.
Fingers crossed for a world without conflict. I wish I could be optimistic.