The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, has today joined US State and Military officials to remember one of the most decisive campaigns to secure the South Pacific during World War Two. Lieutenant General Evans said the landing of US Marines on Guadalcanal in August 1942 and the subsequent fighting in the Solomon Islands was a critical factor in halting the Japanese advance.

“Sixty seven years ago these islands were the site of some of the most decisive battles that turned the tide in the Pacific campaign,” Lieutenant General Evans said. “And today it is pleasing to see our American allies continuing to engage with the Solomon Islands Government and people so long after the days of World War Two.”

The US Military-led Pacific Partnership program for 2009, which focuses on increasing Pacific Islanders’ access to engineering and medical services, commenced work in the region yesterday. “The program is an important example of ongoing international engagement with the Solomon Islands, and one of which Australia is proud to be a part,” Lieutenant General Evans said.

Completing his visit to the Solomon Islands, Lieutenant General Evans met with Australian troops serving in the Combined Task Force of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). “The work that you and your colleagues from throughout the region are doing here is enormously beneficial to the people of the Solomon Islands,” Lieutenant General Evans said. “RAMSI has made great strides in bringing security and stability to the Solomon Islands and is something the whole region can be proud of.”