Australian and New Zealand cams were a welcome site for Solomon Islands locals as soldiers walked through Honiara's communities alongside the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Royal Fijian Military Force (RFMF) and Australian Federal Police during Operation Lilia.
"The trust the ADF has is immense; wearing the uniform really gave us access to most doors," Commanding Officer of Rotation 8, Lieutenant Colonel Hans Hamilton said.
"The ADF has a reservoir of goodwill in Solomon Islands. We continued to fill that cup post the RAMSI [Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands] years with each rotation of Op Lilia.
"If we were ever to return to a policing role here, the transition back in would be readily achievable."
Running from November 29, 2023, to August 1, 2024, the operation's final rotation supported the RSIPF to foster better relationships with their communities.
This rotation began with a modest team of 19 ADF, four NZDF and 16 RFMF personnel.
"The Fijian military brought a different perspective because they have a similar Wontok culture to Solomon Islands; they provided a greater network of access we didn't already have," Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton said.
"We were able to use the mix of cultures to get into different communities to build trust with the RSIPF."
The military team also worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to expand a solar lighting project for communities across Solomon Islands.
Previous Op Lilia rotations delivered the initial lights and water tanks, but with DFAT's involvement, the project expanded and will now deliver 300 lights across multiple provinces.
'We were able to use the mix of cultures to get into different communities to build trust with the RSIPF [Royal Solomon Islands Police Force].'
The equipment arrived just as Rotation 8 was concluding and will be installed and maintained by local providers.
About 440 ADF personnel surged during the country's national election in April to assist with security operations.
After the election, the force reduced, leaving 115 Fijians, 19 ADF and four New Zealanders to continue.
Other contingent achievements included the Fijian construction of a new pharmacy and waiting area at Burn's Creek clinic.
Personnel also visited the children's ward at the national general hospital, donning uniforms and bunny ears to deliver children Easter eggs.
Another aspect of the mission was supporting police recruitment through joint sporting events and engaging with schools, playing games with locals and talking to older teenagers about joining the RSIPF.
Op Lilia personnel also provided medical training to RSIPF and community police officers.
"We were working towards a greater trust and resilience for the RSIPF," Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton said.
As the operation came to a close, Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton said a key lesson was the importance of understanding and embracing local culture.
He acknowledged the challenges of not just knowing how to operate in a south-west Pacific country, but really understanding a country's context.
"We probably should explore having a little bit more Australian Indigenous culture in our Pacific engagement," he said.
"Sharing culture in a Wontok system opens up more access and starts a greater conversation."
A total of 1157 ADF personnel deployed on Op Lilia since it began in 2021. These members worked alongside international partners under the Solomon International Assistance Force to maintain peace and security.
The ADF will complete its commitment to Op Lilia on August 31.
