Photos by Linny Folau and Peter Poulsen

Two Australian Navy Ships, the HMAS Adelaide and the HMAS Melbourne arrived in Nuku'alofa yesterday 13 June. The military vessels are in the Kingdom as part of “Exercise Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2018" – an Australian training exchange mission with Pacific Island countries.

"IPE is focussed on enhancing existing joint capability through bilateral training and engagement activities with Australia’s regional partners," a statement from the Australian High Commission in Tonga said.

The larger of the two ships, the HMAS Adelaide docked at Vuna Wharf, and the public was invited to tour the ship. The HMAS Adelaide (L01), is a Landing Helicopter Dock weighing over 27,000 tonnes. The vessel provides a military platform for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief efforts throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Canberra-class LHD vessel can carry a dozen helicopters and various amphibious vehicles including four landing craft, and up to 110 engineering and logistics vehicles, and hundreds of tons of aid, stores, food. The ship produces 156,000 of water a day.

The smaller HMAS Melbourne is a frigate weighing over 4,000 tonnes. Both vessels carry altogether over 1,000 personnel. The two vessels are on route to Hawaii for a maritime exercise RIMPAC and will depart Tonga on Saturday 16 June, with the Royal Tongan Marines.

Reception

The Australian High Commission in Tonga hosted a reception on board the HMAS Adelaide on June 13, attended by the Australian Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne who was visiting Tonga. She gifted five Unimog trucks aboard the ship to His Majesty’s Armed Forces in Tonga.

Survey flights

Today Tongan MPs and government officials including the Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua, were taken by helicopter to survey areas of Tongatapu and 'Eua damaged by Cyclone Gita in February.

Captain Jim Hutton of the Royal Australian Navy joined the survey flight and said the damage caused on Tongatapu and the neighbouring island of ‘Eua was clear evidence that regional partnerships were vital during natural disasters.

“Tropical Cyclone Gita was last season’s most severe cyclone in the South Pacific. The fact that so many people lost their homes or crops here in Tonga is truly saddening.”

“The Australian Government was able to provide emergency supplies via the RoyalAustralian Air Force the day after Gita made landfall, delivering life-saving equipment, emergency shelters, and kitchen and hygiene kits.”

“Our ability to respond so quickly during natural disasters is borne from our long history of working together and continuing to engage through activities like Indo-Pacific Endeavour.”

Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Andrew Ford said “Australia has provided $14 million in assistance and support to help the people of Tonga recover and rebuild following Cyclone Gita.”

Tongan Marines

Almost 50 Tongan Marines from His Majesty’s Armed Forces and troops from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australia Regiment, have exercised their ability to land humanitarian aid ashore during an amphibious exercise on Pangaimotu Island in an exercise coordinated aboard HMAS Adelaide during its visit to Tonga.  Commander of the Joint Task Group Captain Jim Hutton said the exercise was valuable to both forces given the common need to work together.