What comes to mind as the biggest oversease military assistance operation in recent history? Iraq, Afghanistan or East Timor?
In fact in 2003 Australia conceived, financed and led a Pacific-wide intervention into Solomon Islands to prevent the collapse of that state. The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was to remain there for fourteen years, costing over $2 billion and involving thousands of soldiers, police and public servants from Australia and across the Pacific.
Image: Image: RAMSI – Supplied
Produced By: Roderick Chambers
Featured In Story: Michael Wesley – Author Helpem Fren
First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 28 March 2023