Exercise Coastwatchers enhances maritime and drone surveillance skills for RSIPF through joint training with ADF.
Participants in the recently completed Exercise Coastwatchers have spoken about the skills they acquired during the training.
Exercise Coastwatchers, a joint activity between the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Australian Defence Force, concluded earlier this month. It takes its name from the Coastwatchers of World War II, a secret communication network comprised of Australians and Solomon Islanders which reported information to the Allies on military assets moving across the Pacific.
This iteration of Exercise Coastwatchers included advanced courses focused on maritime and border surveillance, bringing together participants from earlier small boats operator and drone operator courses to further develop their skills.
The course required participants to work together and apply a range of skills in a simulation targeting criminal activity. After receiving information on potential suspects, they planned their mission and worked with small boats teams to move to designated areas to collect information and support interception operations.
RSIPF Drone Support Unit Chief Pilot Sergeant Molly Buiaraha said the drone training related to operational requirements.
“The drone capability is new for us, so the training has contributed to expanding our knowledge,” Sergeant Buiaraha said.
“Everything learned will be applied in practice, with mapping and navigation identified as key areas that support accurate location tracking.”
Sergeant Buiaraha said there has been interest among RSIPF officers in participating in drone training, and noted the integration between drone and maritime surveillance training.
“It is useful to have the drone and maritime surveillance units working together, particularly in operations such as search and rescue,” she said.
She added that there is continued interest from officers to participate in training to further develop their skills in drone operations.
The advanced drone and border surveillance course covered areas including patrol operations, small team coordination, long-range reconnaissance, intelligence collection, and the use of drones in border surveillance and disaster response.
ADF instructor Corporal Aaron Caruana, who has participated in several activities in Solomon Islands, said the exercise contributed to ongoing cooperation between the two organisations.
“Exercise Coastwatchers has provided an opportunity for collaboration and delivery of training,” he said.
“The engagement has also supported the development of working relationships between personnel.”
While drone technology supports modern surveillance, the exercise continues to reflect the historical role of the Coastwatchers during World War II.
Source: AHC Press
