Login
iscover
The Australian Defence Force has completed its final two port visits as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) ‘18, marking the conclusion of a three-month journey across the Pacific, working with Pacific island partners in support of regional prosperity and security.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
ADF personnel worked alongside partner security forces and local communities to conduct women in leadership and medical workshops, as well as carrying out repair and maintenance work to local schools, health and community facilities, and historic sites.
HMA Ships Adelaide and Toowoomba visited the Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara, while HMAS Success visited Rabaul in Papua New Guinea.
"This highlights not only the capability of the ADF to work with partners to rapidly plan and conduct joint force operations in a complex security environment, but also our enduring commitment to our friends and neighbours in the region," said IPE Joint Task Group Commander, Captain Jim Hutton.
The crews also conducted commemoration services for the loss of HMAS AE1, Australia’s first submarine, which sank off the coast of Rabaul in 1914, and the sinking of HMAS Canberra during the WWII Pacific campaign.
In the Solomon Islands, the ADF focused on maritime security training with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime Division.
The IPE Joint Task Group was also able to assist the RSIPF conduct a short notice medical evacuation of four people, including a teenager who had been critically injured in a remote part of the country.
"At the end of the day, we are all committed to supporting regional security, and IPE has enhanced our ability to operate more seamlessly with our Pacific partners," CAPT Hutton said.
These port visits follow successful capacity building and community engagement activities conducted during visits to Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in phase one of IPE in June.
The IPE Joint Task Group will return to Australia later this week.
