Members of Perth based 13th Brigade (13BDE) have deployed to the Solomon Islands over the period August to December 2012 as part of the 28th Australian Rotation for the Combined Task Force 635 (CTF635) for Operation ANODE. Operation ANODE is the name of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). RAMSI's assistance is known as Operation HELPEM FREN (Pidgin for 'Helping Friend'). The Combined Task Force 635 (CTF635) deployed in support of Operation ANODE is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Brenton Gasteen of the Australian Army. The military component of RAMSI is comprised of personnel from four troop contributing nations - Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. The main task for the military component is to be prepared to respond to incidents beyond the capabilities of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and RAMSI's multi-national Participating Police Force (PPF).

Employers of Australian Defence Force reservists have visited their employees in Solomon Islands as part of Exercise BOSS LIFT over the period 03 – 08 November 2012. The exercise provided 19 employers with a taste of life on operations and the opportunity to see the skills and experiences that their employees are gaining from reserve military service on Operation ANODE through a number of programmed activities and interaction with their employees. The Exercise also aims to build employers’ appreciation for the interchange of skills that reservists can bring back to their civilian employment and the skills they bring from their civilian employment to their military employment.

The Australian Defence Force is helping to protect Australia’s Pacific neighbours from illegal fishing. During November 2011, ADF-led operations SOLANIA and KURU KURU saw Australia join with neighbouring Pacific Islands Countries in fisheries law enforcement. Coordinated from a headquarters at Honiara, Solomon Islands, these operations involved a Royal Australian Air Force AP3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, and a de Havilland dash- 8 maritime patrol aircraft operated by Border Protection and Customs. The headquarters was led by a Royal Australian Navy Commander and staffed by Australian Government personnel from Border Protection sand Customs, and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, working alongside other personnel from The United States, New Zealand, France and participating Pacific Islands Countries. This support ultimately enables the economic development of Pacific Islands Countries through the protection of their fisheries area and other resources. <a href="http://111.125.172.46/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&amp;search=11121285" target="_self"> Related Imagery</a>

EMPLOYERS of reservists deployed on Rotation 25 of Operation ANODE visited Solomon Islands during 7-10 November 2011 as part of Exercise BOSSLIFT. Exercise BOSSLIFT gives employers of reservists the opportunity to experience a taste of life on operations for the Australian Defence Force Personnel they employ. Operation ANODE is the name of the ADF’s contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which has assisted the Solomon Islands Government in the maintenance of security, law and justice, economic governance and improving the machinery of government since 2003. Rotation 25 of Operation ANODE involves around 115 ADF personnel, mostly reservists from NSW.

In Solomon Islands, Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on Operation ANODE joined with their colleagues in the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to commemorate Remembrance Day 2011. A small military service was held among the palm trees on the coastal side of RAMSI’s headquarters near Honiara. The service featured a catafalque party made up of Army Reserve soldiers from New South Wales based 5th Brigade. Also in attendance were sailors from the HMNZS Resolution, alongside in Honiara at the time.

The Civil Military Liaison (CML) team interacts with local communities, in Verukola Village in the Kakabona area of the Solomon Islands, on behalf of Commander Task Force 635 to ensure continued positive relations with the outlying villages. <a href="http://111.125.172.46/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5000&amp;search=20112093" target="_self"> Related Imagery</a>

Combined Task Force 635 (CTF635) deployed on Operation Anode in the Solomon Islands paused today to remember fallen soldier Private Jamie Clark. CTF635 marked the 6th anniversary of Private Clark’s death with a memorial service held at GBR Beachside Chapel which was also attended by Private Clark’s mother, Mrs Avril Clark. Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Landford and Mrs Clark laid a wreath in commemoration of Private Clark’s sacrifice. Private Clark died in an accident in the Solomon Islands in 2005. <a href="http://111.125.172.46/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5000&amp;search=20112028" target="_self"> Related Imagery</a>

To honour the memory of the late Private Jamie Clark, a ceremony was held at Gifu Village, Solomon Islands, to officially open the Private Jamie Clark Memorial Kindergarten. Commanding Officer Combined Joint Task Force 635 Lieutenant Colonel Paul Landford was the guest of honour and presided over the ribbon cutting of the kindergarten. Soldiers and guests from the Combined Task Force toured the kindergarten after the ceremony. Private Clark died in a tragic accident while serving in the Solomon Islands in 2005. <a href="http://111.125.172.46/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5000&amp;search=20112029" target="_self"> Related Imagery</a>