The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney today farewelled 111 members of the Combined Task Force Rotation 27 deploying to the Solomon Islands on Operation ANODE at the Keswick Barracks, in South Australia.

The farewell parade was attended by commanders, and friends and families of the soldiers.

Senator Feeney said the parade provides family friends and the wider community with the opportunity to formally farewell the deploying troops.

“Today we show our admiration to the group of soldiers preparing to deploy to the Solomon Islands for the next five-months,” Senator Feeney said.

“The contribution that they will make to Operation ANODE will be felt by the Solomon Islands community and is certainly appreciated by the Adelaide community here today.”

The soldiers are drawn from units across the Forces Command but primarily are reservists from the 9th Brigade. The task group also draws on units from the Regular Australian Army and from Papua New Guinea.

Operation ANODE is the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands to assist in restoring peace and stability to their country.

Information is available at: www.defence.gov.au/op/solomonislands/index.htm
Media Contacts:  

Senator Feeney’s Office (02) 6277 3415
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999