 Loloho
Loloho
was the home of the Logistic Support Team (LST)
and 171
Op Spt Sqn (aviation unit). LST provided all the support
functions for the operation including helicopter support, kitchen
facilities, docks for incoming ships, maritime support, mechanical
workshop, water purification, pay/admin, IT, padre, military police,
media/PR, logistics, dental and medical services including a full
surgery.
 We
also had a Frontline shop which sold drinks, chocolates, electrical
devices, T-shirts and hats. My IT team looked after the internet
cafe which was a very good way of keeping in touch with family.
To be honest the accommodation at Loloho sucked, the main building
dubbed the Opera House, contained a large number of canvas tents
setup inside. Every Tuesday we had a meeting at Loloho for all
Arawa and Loloho staff - this was normally when the commander would
pass on information to all the staff.
We
had a weekly volleyball competition that also got us out of Arawa
and into Loloho to challenge the various teams. Our team was made
up of RASIGS staff and were weren't that good but it was a good
social event.
 The kitchen put on a good feed. We
were told that once a week we had to eat ration packs. After a
couple of weeks I asked where the ration packs were. The kitchen
would open them and mix up a great dish which looked and importantly
didn't taste like a ration pack.
Swimming was a popular activity at
Loloho. We had a number of pontoons that were used from large ships
to dock - we used them to jump into the ocean. The local name for
the pontoons was "dolphins" - don't ask me why they were
called that. I remember being told that during the conflict, locals
were killed and thrown into the harbor near were we swam. We had
spotted some white tipped reef sharks near the dolphins but were
assured they don't attack people.
Bonneydoon beach was just across the
bay from Loloho. A short zodiac inflatable trip and you were on
one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.
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