Operation Anode is the name of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). RAMSI's assistance is known as Operation HELPEM FREN (Pidgin English for 'Helping Friend'). RAMSI's mission is to assist the Solomon Islands' Government in restoring law and order, economic governance, and improving the machinery of government.

The military component of RAMSI comprises of personnel from four troop contributing nations of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. The main task for the military component is to provide security for RAMSI's multinational Participating Police Force.

The ADF contribution to RAMSI

Since the introduction of RAMSI in 2003, the number of Australian troops in support has varied depending on the degree of unrest being experienced. After the rioting that followed the April 2006 general elections, RAMSI military personnel have continued their contribution to maintaining a calming effect on the situation in the Solomon Islands.

ADF personnel are working alongside personnel from New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea as they support the Solomon Islands Police Force and Participating Police Forces who are responsible for law and order in the Solomon Islands.

LTCOL Mark Flanagan is the Commander of the Combined Task Force. Approximately 140 ADF troops, drawn from the Townsville-based 11th Brigade, are deployed in the Solomon Islands who are involved in roles including:

• Soldiers who support the AFP by accompanying them on patrols throughout various areas of the Solomon Islands, and
  


• specialist military staff in RAMSI headquarters whose role is to coordinate the multi-national military effort with participating police forces.

The deployment of these ADF personnel, at the invitation of the Solomon Islands Government, aims to ensure the ongoing success of RAMSI in improving law and order in the Solomon Islands. Australia remains determined to ensure that the law and order established in the Solomon Islands is maintained.