Huey in the Solomons

Australian troops, from 7 Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), carry their kit towards Australian Army Aviation UH-1H ‘Huey’ helicopter A2-279, at Malu’u. Deployed under Operation Anode, Australia’s military contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), they were returning to the main RAMSI base near Honiara, having been relieved by a Tongan platoon. They were transported by UH-1H ‘Huey’ Iroquois helicopters, operated by No. 3 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and 171 Operational Support Squadron, 1st Aviation Regiment. Australian and New Zealand helicopter crews worked closely together to provide transport for RAMSI police and military forces. Military forces were deployed to RAMSI under the multi-national Operation Helpem Fren by Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. These forces, including infantry from 2RAR, were deployed on two-week rotations to protect police posts established in troubled regions of the Solomon Islands. Malu’u police post was opened on 19 September 2003 as one of three posts in northern Malaita, an area affected by the violent activities of armed militia groups, such as the Malaitan Eagle Force (MEF).