Signallers finish connecting Vanuatu
After five years and almost a dozen deployments, Australian Army signallers have finished working with the Vanuatu Police Force to upgrade the island nation’s sovereign emergency radio network.
CAPTION: Australian Army Signaler Nicholas Lister, left, of 1 Signal Regiment, and Corporal Luke Lini, of the Vanuatu Mobile Force, conduct maintenance on Epi Tower on Epi Island. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.
The third and final phase of the program wrapped up in late October when the last signallers from 1 Signal Regiment returned to Australia after almost four months finalising installations and certifying networks.
Their work connected a series of smaller police posts and communications hubs across Vanuatu’s six provinces, allowing communication between police, government agencies and the most remote areas in times of natural disaster.
High-frequency radio is the backbone of the system across the archipelago.
A shorter-range very high frequency network and repeater stations were also installed so police posts on Vanuatu’s numerous islands can communicate with each other.
The Vanuatu Government National Emergency Radio Network also includes portable high-frequency radios, allowing emergency response teams to establish communications, regardless of their location.
Defence partnered with Vanuatu to rebuild its network after infrastructure damage from multiple tropical cyclones.
Phase 3 Contingent Commander Captain Morgan Wasson, of 1 Signal Regiment, said cooperation with the Vanuatu Police Force was key to their mission’s success.
“They were embedded in our team and educated on the full scope of work,” Captain Wasson said.
“Our team also learned their customs and traditions when out on remote islands, even informally learning to speak Bislama, one of the local languages.
“It was the third time supporting the project for some signallers. There was a strong sense of camaraderie; we fostered enduring and genuine relationships.”
The project was delivered under the Vanuatu-Australia Defence Cooperation Program, which includes joint exercises and capability development.
CAPTION: Corporal John Nulick, of the Vanuatu Mobile Force, left, and Australian Army Sapper Arion Ruff, of 6th Engineer Support Regiment, check the power supply from solar panels installed at Hill 495 in Tanna.
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