3 December 2013
Operation Render Safe Concludes
Operation RENDER SAFE, the Australian Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal mission in the Solomon Islands has concluded and was a “spectacular success” according to the head of the Task Force Commander Doug Griffiths RAN. The operation consisted of a Task Force of nearly 200 Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists and support staff from the ADF, New Zealand Defence Force, Canadian Armed Forces, the United States Navy and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
In just three weeks Task Force located more than 10,000 items of unexploded World War II ordnance equivalent to around 7,000 kg of TNT. These items were located across the Russell Islands and Guadalcanal. In the Russell Islands they were rendered safe, usually by a controlled explosion, on site. In Guadalcanal these items were either detonated on site where this could be done safely or taken to the RSIPF Hells Point facility where they were destroyed or neutralised under the supervision of the RSIPF.
Combined Joint Task Force Commander Doug Griffiths RAN, said that the results of the Task Force exceeded all expectations. “I understand that the RSIPF deals with around 10,000 items per year so for us to locate 10,000 in three weeks is a real credit not just to us but also the partnership we have had with the RSIPF and local communities.” said Commander Griffiths
“For instance last week we had a Canadian team working in the mountains more than two kilometres away from the nearest logging track while we had an Australian team working a few metres from the edge of Henderson Field airport in Honiara. In both cases it was information gained from the local community that led us to these sites and the local knowledge we have gained from the RSIPF that helped us to identify the ordnance.”
“Our ships and divers have also surveyed more than around 25 square kilometres of seabed including 8 kilometres of beachfront near Honiara and numerous channels in the Russell Islands.
“Our Task Force members are returning home to Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada knowing that we have freed up areas of land and sea bed that is now safer for people to farm, build houses, fish and play in.
“Along the way we have all had the opportunity to learn more about the Solomon Islands people and culture and I know all Task Force members have enjoyed that as much as they have enjoyed getting results on the job.” concluded Commander Griffiths.
Operation RENDER SAFE 2013 ran from 29 October 2013 to 2 December 2013.