| Accession Number | P04223.747 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film original negative panorama |
| Maker |
Dupont, Stephen |
| Place made | Pacific Islands: Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Isuna |
| Date made | 6 November 2003 |
| Conflict |
Period 2000-2009 Solomon Islands (RAMSI), 2003-2013 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
|
| Source credit to | Acquired through Australian War Memorial official commission 2003 |
Australian Army Aviation (AAAvn) UH-1H ‘Huey’ Iroquois helicopter A2-508 on the beach at Isuna, ...
Description
Australian Army Aviation (AAAvn) UH-1H ‘Huey’ Iroquois helicopter A2-508 on the beach at Isuna, on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal. Two more Iroquois helicopters sit on the beach behind A2-508. They were transporting troops and officials of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), who were attending the official opening of a police post at Isuna. The remote Weather Coast police posts could be reached only by sea and by helicopter. Local militant groups, especially the Isatabu Freedom Movement led by Harold Keke, had been responsible for much violence on the Weather Coast, including forcing Malaitan settlers to flee the area, and killing a party of priests sent to the region. RAMSI’s Participating Police Force established police posts on the Weather Coast, following Keke’s surrender to RAMSI forces on 13 August 2003. Transport for RAMSI was provided by four helicopters from 171 Operational Support Squadron, 1st Aviation Regiment, deployed to the Solomon Islands under Operation Anode, and four helicopters from No. 3 Squadron, RNZAF.