Operation Solania Archives - CONTACT magazine

US Army personnel on the ramp of a RAAF C-27J Spartan overlook Kwajalein Atoll. Story by Flight Lieutenant Glen Paul. Photos by Sherman Hogue.

RAAF Spartan supports fisheries patrol in Marshall Islands

28/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2261 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Operation Rai Balang, Operation Solania

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan and its crew have played a key role in the Pacific Islands Forum

From left, Warrant Officer Steven Burrows, Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis and Sergeant Ben Richardson prepare to take photos of marine traffic during a ramp ride on board a C-27J Spartan during Operation Kuru Kuru, Fiji. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

On the lookout for fishy business

12/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 914 Views 0 Comments 35 Squadron, C-27J Spartan, Operation Kuru Kuru, Operation Solania, Republic of Fiji Navy

A RAAF C-27J Spartan, its crew and support personnel from 35 Squadron recently deployed to Suva, Fiji, to support maritime

Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft from No. 35 Squadron, takes off from Port Moresby International Airport, Papua New Guinea, during Operation Island Chief 2024. Story by Captain Peter Nugent. Photos by Corporal Emma Schwenke.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

On watch for illegal fishing

12/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1049 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Island Chief, Operation Solania, PNGDF

As the C-27J Spartan soared skyward from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, with fully laden fuel tanks, ahead awaited hours

Loadmaster Corporal Mitchell Hordern of 35 Squadron photographs vessels out of a RAAF C-27J Spartan during Operation Solania. Story by Captain Peter Nugent. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Trained eyes scan the big blue

24/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1551 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Forum Fisheries Agency, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Solania

The mission of those deployed on Operation Solania could be compared to looking for a needle in a haystack. CAPTION: Loadmaster

Loadmaster Corporal Mitchell Hordern, of 35 Squadron, during Operation Solania in Honiara, the Solomon Islands. Story by Captain Peter Nugent. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

ADF People

Whirlwind start to loadmaster career

16/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1049 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Solania, RAAF Amberley, Solomon Islands

Since becoming a loadmaster with 35 Squadron, Corporal Mitchell Hordern’s feet have hardly touched the ground. CAPTION: Loadmaster Corporal Mitchell Hordern,

ADF guests watch watched the Nauti and Fetuvalu culture group perform at the Taulaga school games opening ceremony at the Nauti primary school in Tuvalu. Story and photos by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People

Hope and joy in spiritual connections

01/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1389 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, Operation Solania, Tuvalu

When Australian Army Chaplain Cameron West heard he was deploying to Tuvalu, he researched the country, but that could only

RAAF loadmasters Flight Sergeant Andrew Coates (left) and Sergeant Daniel Saunders, along with local news reporters, enjoys the views of the Port Vila coastline from the ramp of the C-27J Spartan aircraft during a maritime surveillance flight out of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Story buy Lieutenant Nic Hawkins. Photos by Sergeant David Cotton.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Maintaining fisheries patrols in Vanuatu

30/08/202331/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2396 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Solania, Vanuatu

RAAF’s 35 Squadron is frequently deployed for extended periods across the Indo-Pacific due to the endurance of its C-27J Spartan

A Royal Australian Air Force KA350 King Air conducts maritime surveillance over Tuvalu during Operation Solania 23-3. Story by Corporal Melina Young. Photo by Corporal Melina Young.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Hunting for fish pirates

29/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1728 Views 0 Comments KA350 King Air, Operation Solania, Tuvalu

Funafuti Tower on the tiny Polynesian Island of Tuvalu clears the runway for a RAAF KA350 King Air to depart.

Loadmaster Flight Sergeant Christian Allison of 35 Squadron teaches Samoan police officer Constable Fetuao Nuuvali how to use the camera during Operation Solania. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Fishy business caught out in the Pacific

07/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1665 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Operation Solania

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan has conducted maritime surveillance during Operation Solania to detect and deter illegal fishing

RAN Chaplain Simote Finau addresses students of the Kolisi Tonga College, during Operation Solania. Story by Flight Lieutenant Glen Paul. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People

Chaplain values a Tongan homecoming

02/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1843 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, Operation Solania, Samoa, Tonga

In a reunion that bridged generations, Royal Australia Navy Officer Chaplain Simote Finau recently returned to his childhood school in

RAAF Flight Lieutenant Jayden Hasemann, left, and Leading Aircraftman Jack Atkins play basketball with students at Sokehs Roie Soledi Peidie Elementary School. Story by Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

ADF News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Aviators join in the fun at Micronesian school

18/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2311 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Chaplains, Micronesia, Operation Solania

In between flying aerial maritime surveillance sorties, Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel deployed on Operation Solania 22-4 have engaged with local

Flight Lieutenant Jayden Hasemann, from 35 Squadron, at Pohnpei International Airport, Micronesia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

ADF People

Enlightening first overseas deployment

08/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1636 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, No. 35 Squadron, Operation Solania

Flight Lieutenant Jayden Hasemann, an engineer from 35 Squadron, recently found himself deployed on operation almost 4000 kilometres from home. CAPTION: