P04225.264
Image copyright: © Australian War Memorial
- ID number
- P04225.264
- Photographer
- Dupont, Stephen
- Object type
- Colour - Film original negative 35mm
- Place made
- Pacific Islands: Solomon Islands, Malaita Island
- Date made
- 5 November 2003
- Credit line
- Acquired through Australian War Memorial official commission 2003
- Collection
- Photograph
- Description
- Captain Rachael Leal of 1st Intelligence Battalion discusses the contents of a flyer, produced in support of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), with a local man in Kwaiafaa village, northern Malaita. To her right can be seen Private Rubens of 12 Platoon, D Company, 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR); and Sapper Graham Ellis, of 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, an Explosive Detection Dog handler. Australian troops were deployed under Operation Anode to provide security, logistical and intelligence support to the multi-national RAMSI Participating Police Force. Prior to RAMSI's intervention, the north of Malaita had been troubled by the violent activities of militants such as the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF), established in response to tensions between Malaitans and indigenous inhabitants of Guadalcanal on the island of Guadalcanal. Following the arrival of RAMSI forces, the MEF agreed to surrender weapons on 15 August 2003. Three police posts were established in trouble spots in Malaita, and MEF leader, Jimmy 'Rasta' Lusibaea, was arrested on 15 October 2003.
