Solomon Islands disaster relief mission complete

The ADF engineering reconnaissance and planning assistance teams sent to Solomon Islands in the wake of severe flooding have returned home.

Responding to a request from the Solomon Islands Government the ADF contributed to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) disaster relief efforts.

The engineering reconnaissance team assisted Solomon Islands authorities by assessing crucial civil infrastructure.

The team provided a vital engineering design solution allowing Honiara’s key Mataniko Bridge to be reopened to heavy vehicle traffic.

The planning assistance team conducted rapid damage assessments and provided specialist planning support to the DFAT relief efforts to assist the thousands of effected residents in and around Honiara.

The engineering reconnaissance and planning assistance teams flew out of RAAF Base Amberley in southern Queensland with 12 hours notice following the request for support by the Solomon Islands Government on 05 April.

The ADF support to DFAT relief efforts also included strategic airlift from Australia to Honiara for personnel and stores carried out by Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster aircraft and crews.