New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa Media Release
Thursday May 11, 2006
Soldiers back from solomons
Soldiers from the New Zealand Army are returning to New Zealand after a three month deployment to the Solomon Islands on
Friday 12 May.
The 28 soldiers, all based at 2/1 Battalion, Burnham will arrive at Christchurch Airport, Air Movements Terminal, at
9.00pm.
They will be met by Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Rear Admiral Jack Steer and the Commanding Officer of 2/1
Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel John Boswell.
The soldiers have completed a three month deployment as part of the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands
(RAMSI). They have been replaced by a planned rotation of Fijian military personnel.
During their rotation the New Zealand Defence Force platoon carried out daily patrols in Honiara, and regular patrols to
other regions. They maintained responsibility for perimeter security at Rove Prison. With the recent deterioration in
the security situation, the soldiers continued to conduct security patrols in Honiara, with the aim of ensuring
stability within the region as soon as possible.
There are still 125 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed to the Solomon Islands.
ENDS