18 November 2014
Operation Render Safe 2014 sets explosive ordnance disposal record
The dangers posed by 16 tonnes of unexploded World War II ordnance have been greatly reduced for the community of Torokina, Bougainville, following the conclusion of Operation Render Safe 2014. This makes Operation Render Safe 2014 the largest ever in terms of amount by weight of explosives destroyed.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF)-led mission saw Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and Solomon Islands launching from HMAS Choules and searching for and safely destroying World War II era munitions.
Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Captain Jay Bannister, said Operation Render Safe cleared 109 sites of 2293 items of ordnance that totalled more than 16,000 kilograms of explosives.
Working in close consultation with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the multi-national Render Safe team destroyed the dangerous munitions that had threatened the Torokina community since the end of the war in 1945.
“It is the largest Render Safe undertaken by the ADF; not just in terms of explosives destroyed but the number of personnel involved — almost 500 in total,” Captain Bannister said.
“We have received exceptional support from the Bougainville Police Service and the people of the Torokina district in what has been an extremely complex, sustained amphibious operation.”
“Render Safe has made Torokina safer for generations to come. It will enable safe farming and gardening, and has contributed to weapons disposal in Bougainville.”
Five months before the operation commenced, a small community engagement team worked with the Autonomous Bougainville Government to educate the local Bougainville people about the Render Safe mission and the dangers posed by the unexploded ordnance. With the conclusion of the operation all military personnel have now left Bougainville.
Detailed information about the unexploded ordnance located and removed, as well as information about war relic sites found during the operation, has been provided to the ABG. Hydrographic maps for the waters around the former jetty site have also been handed over. These will facilitate future plans for the construction of a wharf in Torokina.