“Experience of a life time” – RSIPF NGE Aviation Support Team

“It is the experience of a life time. It was something else.”

That is how members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Aviation Support Team described their experience flying helicopters and a fixed aircraft from the Australia and New Zealand Defence Forces under the Combined Task Group (CTG) to assist the Electoral Commission and RSIPF with logistic support during the recent National General Election.

The 16 RSIPF officers, drawn from the Operational Safety Training (OST) Unit and the Close Personal Protection (CPP) Unit, were given the task as liaison between the CTG and the RSIPF when uplifting police officers in their deployment throughout the country to provide security during the recent Election on 3 April.

“For some of us it was our first time to ride on a helicopter or one of these big military fixed wing aircrafts. We had no idea about aviation work but we were able to learn some safety skills and emergency drills during our short time with CTG helicopters and fixed wing aircraft,” says Constable Eddie Isamate, a CPP officer, who was a member of the Aviation Support Team.

For another CPP officer, Constable Charles Kumuau, the experience was something else.

“It only took us 30 minutes to get up to the interior of Guadalcanal to deliver ballot boxes and of cause bring them back after the election. It made the operation so easy. It would have taken days walking like we have done in the past. Thank you Australia and New Zealand Defence Forces.”

Two female RSIPF officers from the OST Unit were also part of the Aviation Support Team.

“”The logistical support provided through the use of the helicopters and the fixed wing aircraft from the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces really assisted the RSIPF Election Operation. I was so excited to fly in the helicopter. It was my first time. It gave me the opportunity to realise how beautiful our country Solomon Islands is. It’s too good,” says Constable Joy Tagini from the OST Unit.

Another OST officer, Constable Judith Meleti comments: “Flying in the chopper gave me an opportunity to see the beauty of our country. Our team were so fortune to have been awarded a certificate and a CTG badge as acknowledgment for the completion of the rotary wing mission training,” says Constable Meleti.

Under the CTG, the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces provided six helicopters, one fixed aircraft and a navy vessel to provide contingency logistics support to the RSIPF and Solomon Islands Electoral Commission during the election. The assistance came following a request from the Government of Solomon Islands.