Exercise to Reality - Soldiers deploy to the Solomons

5 May 2006

After wrapping up a major Pacific Island exercise in New Caledonia, 28 New Zealand Army soldiers will deploy to the Solomon Islands on Sunday 8 May.

The platoon will rotate with their counterparts who have been maintaining a military contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

The soldiers have been taking part in exercises with Defence Forces from Australia, New Caledonia French, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga since April 24.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules will uplift the soldiers and equipment from New Caledonia and transport them to Honiara on Sunday.

A second flight will bring home the current platoon, which has been in the Solomon Islands for three months, once a handover has been completed.

There are currently 125 NZDF personnel serving in the Solomon Islands.

ENDS

For further information please contact Lieutenant Commander Andrew Lincoln, Defence Public Relations 04 529 6031 or 021 806 926

 

 

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