Photo taken by CPL Rachel Ingram



Caption: Soldiers from 7 Section conduct regular patrols throughout the local areas of Honiara. Greeting the local Solomon Islanders and working closely with the Participation Police Force (PPF- Solomon Island Police Force) to help maintain security to the community.



Deep Caption: In May 2006, the 25th/49th Battalion Royal Queensland Regiment(25/49RQR), an infantry unit with 7 Brigade, was advised that it was to prepare soldiers for deployment to the Solomon Islands.

Expressions of interest were canvassed from members of both 25/49 RQR and 9RQR (also a Brisbance based 7 Brigade unit)

25/49 RQR recruiting footprint includeds Brisbane, Toowoomba, Dalby, Roma, Stanthorpe, Wondai, Warwick and Gatton.

9RQR footprint includes Brisbane, Logan Lea, Caboolture, Yandina, Gympie, Maryborough and Bundaberg.

The deployment on Operation Anode in the Solomon Islands represents an exceptional opportunity for Reserve soldiers to deploy on an actual operation and utilise the skills and knowledge they have acquired during their Reserve service. Operation Anode is the name of the Australian Defence Forces’ contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The Mission began in 2003 at the request of the Solomon Islands Government.

Australian soldiers - along with soldiers from three other Pacific nations - are supporting police from a total of 16 Pacific nations (including Australian Federal Police) as they back up the Solomon Islands Police Force in its task of restore law and order.