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Specialist explosive ordnance disposal teams and supporting air assets have begun arriving in the Solomon Islands this week in preparation for Operation SECURE 2024.
More than 250 explosives experts from eight countries will travel to the Western Province in the coming days to identify and destroy explosive remnants of war left over from the Second World War.
At the request of the Solomon Islands Government, the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force will lead a joint multinational team of experts from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
It will be the largest-ever overland “safe clearance operation”, focusing on clearing explosive remnants of war from key areas in the western provinces of Munda, Kolombangara, Kosingo and Warna Warna.
The mission will be conducted across three land and two maritime operating areas and supported by air assets between Honiara and Western Province, including C-130J Hercules, C-17 Globemaster and MV-22 Osprey aircraft.
2024 marks the twentieth anniversary of Operation Safeguard, the Australian Defence Force-led effort to eliminate the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war in the Pacific island nations during World War II.
Disposal of ERW will:
- Reduce the possibility of casualties;
- Providing families and communities with more land to grow food and build infrastructure;
- Providing a safer environment in villages and around schools;
- It will be conducive to improving the conditions for future economic development.
Operation Safe 2024 will be conducted in the Western Province from late August to mid-September.
-AHCSI News Release
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