U.S. Marines provide a new classroom at Hell’s Point to strengthen Solomon Islands police demining and EOD training

Chargé d’Affaires Daniel O’Hara attended a handover ceremony at Hell’s Point for a new classroom provided by the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific’s (MARFORPAC) Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

The new classroom will support training for humanitarian demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations. Director of UXO at the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Benzily Kasutaba, and Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, Mathias Lenialu, joined CDA O’Hara in cutting the ribbon at the new facility.

CDA O’Hara said the ceremony reflected the shared history, values and faith of the United States and Solomon Islands.

“Starting with our shared history fighting side-by-side to end occupation and now building on our shared values of democracy and sovereignty, the United States and Solomon Islands are partnering to preserve a free and open Pacific,” he said.

MARFORPAC EOD Officer Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Tibayan said working alongside Solomon Islands partners was particularly significant because of the U.S. Marine Corps’ enduring connection to Guadalcanal.

“Serving alongside our Solomon Islands partners is especially significant to me because of the Marine Corps’ enduring connection to Guadalcanal. It is truly an honor to work with the RSIPF EOD Department as it expands its capacity to clear UXO and make communities safer,” LtCol Tibayan said.

He said the Humanitarian Mine Action program was helping Solomon Islands build lasting capability by providing training and sharing the experience of Marine Corps EOD personnel.

“That’s what I love about the HMA program: helping partners like the Solomon Islands build lasting capability, while sharing the training and experience we bring as Marine Corps EOD,” he said.

Since 2025, the MARFORPAC Humanitarian Mine Action program, supported by U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) and the U.S. Government, has strengthened the Solomon Islands Government’s capacity to protect communities from the enduring hazards of unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Through more than US$850,000 in specialised equipment and technical training, the program has enhanced the RSIPF EOD Department’s ability to conduct humanitarian demining, as well as land-based and underwater EOD operations.

The ongoing US$500,000 investment in a dedicated EOD facility will further expand the department’s operational capacity, support increased UXO clearance operations and improve safety for communities throughout Solomon Islands.

U.S. Embassy in Honiara Press Release