Tonga's sixth contingent for Afghanistan [1]
Friday, March 1, 2013 - 20:50. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Tonga's sixth contingent to Afghanistan left Tonga for the United Kingdom on Thursday, February 28.
The fifty-five personnel of the Tonga Defence Services led by Navy Commander Sione Ulakai and assisted by Major Maama Misi will take part in a eight weeks pre-deployment training with the UK Royal Air Force Regiment at RAF Honington in Suffolkshire.
TDS stated today, the troops will be deployed to Camp Bastion in Helmand Province after they complete their training. They will serve alongside British Armed Forces, the United States Marines and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Forces.
The sixth contingent will take over the roles and responsibilities from the fifth contingent who are currently serving at Camp Bastion.
Tonga's deployment to support the NATO led mission, International and Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is expected to end in 2014.
The Acting Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu and TDS Commander Brigadier Tau'aika 'Uta'atu farewelled the troops yesterday, at the Fua'amotu International Airport.