Australian Military Public Affairs officer, Captain (Capt) Anthony Kirk (left) talks to Senior ...

Australian Military Public Affairs officer, Captain (Capt) Anthony Kirk (left) talks to Senior Sergeant Rob Mills, of the New Zealand police (centre), and Siupeli Moalaena of the Tongan police, in front of the school at the village of Mbambanakira on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal. They are participating in the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). In the first half of 2003, hundreds of local people, from Malaitan ethnic groups, were forced to flee the area around Mbambanakira, due to attacks by the Guadalcanal Liberation Front, lead by Harold Keke. Following the arrival of RAMSI forces in July 2003 and the arrest of Keke on 13 August 2003, a police post was established at Mbambanakira, staffed by members of the RAMSI multi-national Participating Police force (PPF). The PPF comprised police officers from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Cook Islands, and Kiribati. Logistical and security support for the police posts was provided by RAMSI military forces, including Australian troops deployed under Operation Anode.