UK medals for Tonga soldiers who served in Afghanistan [1]
Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 18:00. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Rt. Hon. Andrew Robathan presents medals at Taliai Camp, Fua'amotu, Tonga. 22 November 2012.
Photos by Linny Folau
In a special ceremony at Taliai Camp at Fua'amotu today, the United Kingdom Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan was awarded to Tonga's fourth contingent of 55 soldiers who served in Afghanistan this year, as well as some soldiers from the first three Tongan contingents.
The decorations were presented by Rt. Hon. Andrew Robathan MP, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom.
Lt. Colonel Tim Woodman, the British Defence Attaché, said when the UK asked for help Tonga answered the call and since November 2010 the Tonga Defence Services had served as part of the Camp Bastion Force Protection Wing.
He said the 55 personnel served alongside members of the RAF Police and RAF Regiment and provided security for Camp Bastion's main entry points, perimeter and airfield.
"Today we recognise the third and fourth contingent of troops who served in Afghanistan with the award of the United Kingdom Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, a unique honour granted by Queen Elizabeth for another nation, to be granted a UK Operational medal."
The men and women who today received their medals should be proud of their record in Afghanistan, he said.
Lt. Col. Tim Woodman
Lt. Col. Woodman said, on a recent visit to Afghanistan with the TDS Commander Brigadier Tau'aika 'Uta'atu they were shown where the attack was made on Camp Bastion on 14 September. "We were told the part that the TDS fourth contingent played in the defeat of the attack, that resulted in 14 of the 15 insurgent attackers being killed," he said.
Since the attack the contingent were praised for their willingness to take on additional tasks, including manning of additional guard towers. And they had already made a mark with the detecting and detaining of an individual who was attempting to gain illegal access to the camp, he said.
Three women in the fourth contingent 2nd Lt 'Ungatea Tu'ivailala, Lance Corporal Seini Fakatou and Private Manu became the first women of the TDS deployments to Afghanistan to have received their UK Operational medals.
He commended TDS for leading the way for women in the military in the Pacific Region.
"As I stand here today, let us think of the fifth contingent who are now guarding Camp Bastion. This is the first rotation of the new two-year commitment Tonga made in supporting the British Armed Forces in Afghanistan until November 2014. An agreement was signed in a new Memorandum of Understanding in August 2012," said Lt. Col. Woodman. "For this continued support the United Kingdom thanks the Kingdom of Tonga."
Tonga
Brigadier Tau'aika 'Uta'atu said the invitation by the British to extend their contribution to Afghanistan highlighted the fact that TDS was doing a good job.
He said the Minister's presence with the Acting British High Commissioner and British Defence Attaché at the ceremony highlighted the fact that the UK and its defence were quite satisfied with the performance of the Tongan officers in providing security at Camp Bastion.
"It is our hope that the TDS contribution today will enable the people of Afghanistan, to live a better life in the future," he said.
Present at the ceremony was the Acting British High Commissioner to Tonga Mr Martin Fidler, Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu, Lord Vaea, Tonga Police Commissioner Grant O'Fee and guests.
Commander Solomone Savelio who led Tonga's fourth contingent to Afghanistan, returned safely to Tonga after six-months duty, on 16 November.
Commander Sione Fifita, who led Tonga's second contingent to Afghanistan also received the medal.