15 November 2014
OPERATION RENDER SAFE UNDERWAY AND GETTING RESULTS
Operation RENDER SAFE, the Australian Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal mission in the Solomon Islands has commenced and is delivering significant results. The operation consists 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 progress to date more than 1600 items of unexploded World War 2 ordnance including grenades, mortars and high explosive shells have been identified and safely cleared away from a number of sites around Honiara. These numbers will increase again when the additional material being cleared away across Central Province is tallied up later in the week.
Combined Joint Task Force Commander Doug Griffiths RAN, said that the results of the Task Force so far have been very pleasing. “We have Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and Americans working together really well out in the field with The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the results speak for themselves.” said Commander Griffiths
“In one site alone, near Henderson Field, we have cleared more than 900 items in a single day with a range of United States Japanese and even French ordinance taken away for safe disposal at Hells Point, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal Facility.
“Some East Honiara residents may also have heard the explosions that have occurred while we dispose of other unexploded ordnance in the ocean off Honiara and I can assure them that these explosions are occurring in a safe controlled manner and every time they hear one it means their local area has just become a little bit safer.
“We have been very impressed with the assistance we have received from local communities and all our teams are reporting back the great information and co-operation we have been getting from the local people who are the key to our success in finding and removing unexploded World War II ordnance.” concluded Commander Griffiths.
Operation RENDER SAFE is an Australian Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal mission in the Solomon Islands. The operation consists 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.
Operation RENDER SAFE 2013 will run from 29 October 2013 to 7 December 2013.