A community in one of Kiribati's most densely populated areas is breathing easier this week after New Zealand and Kiribati defence and police teams safely disposed of almost 300 unexploded Second World War munitions buried in Betio.
The joint operation, supported by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, brought together a wide range of specialist personnel and equipment for a job that had been decades in the making.
Who Was Involved
Clearing nearly 300 unexploded ordnance items is not a job for a single unit. The operation drew on a full cross-section of New Zealand's defence capability, deployed to Kiribati specifically for the task.
Personnel/Asset Role
Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J and crew Transport
NZ Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron Identifying and safely handling munitions
NZ Army 2nd Engineer Regiment Zodiac operators Moving items by small boat
Medical personnel On-site support in case of injury
Kiribati Police Service Maintaining cordons throughout the operation
Together, the New Zealand Defence Force team and Kiribati Police worked side by side for a full week to get the job done safely.
