The patrol boat HMAS WHYALLA, (LCDR T. Byles, RAN), becomes the first RAN vessel to arrive in the Solomon Islands to support the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, as part of Operation Anode. She was later joined by HMA Ships MANOORA, (landing platform amphibious), HAWKESBURY (mine hunter coastal), and LABUAN, and WEWAK, (landing craft heavy).