Tongan peacekeepers going to Iraq [1]
Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 16:10. Updated on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 13:51.
Forty four soldiers from the Tonga Defence Service will leave Tonga on Tuesday June 15 to serve alongside USA soldiers in a peacekeeping mission in Iraq.
In a farewell parade for the Tongan contingent at Mala'e Pangai in Nuku'alofa on Saturday, June 12, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata said that when the USA requested assistance, Tonga was obliged to make a commitment. He said that Tonga remembered when the USA came to defend Tonga and the region from the invading Japanese during the Second World War. He said that Tonga's contribution to the effort to bring peace and stability to Iraq was only relative to what the country could afford.
The Prince recalled the contribution that Tonga made to the Allied Force during the Second World War when there was a public fund raising and Tonga bought three Spitfires for the Allied Air Force, in addition Tonga also sent two scouting platoons to the Solomons.
The Prime Minister said that a week ago the United Nations passed Resolution No. 1546 for the handing over of power to an Iraq Governing Council next month, and eventually a General Election next year.
He said that the Tongan Contingent was going on a Peace Keeping mission and would be serving alongside the same USA Marine Division that the Tongan contingent to the Solomons served alongside during the Second World War in the Solomons.
The Tongan contingent for Iraq:
Headquarters: Contingent Commander, Colonel Tau'aika 'Uta'atu, Deputy Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Siamelie Latu, Liaison Officer, Second Lieutenant Tevita F. F. S. M. Fotu, Driver, Pte Paea Moli.
Combat Platoon: Platoon Commander, Captain Maama Misi, Platoon Serveant, WO2 F. Moeakiola, Rad Op/Ord Pte R. Faka'osi, Rad Op/Ord Pte S. I. L. L. Fetuani.
No. 1 Section: Cpl T. Telefoni, LCpl A. Moeakiola, Pte N. Pongi, Pte M. Lomu, Pte V. Loketi, Pte L. Salt, Pte F. Ta'ufo'ou, Pte P. To'oa, Rifleman Pte K. Li, Rifleman Pte S. Vaka.
No. 2 Section: Cpl S. Falekaono, LCpl S. Li, Pte F. C. Pou'uhila, Pte S. Folaumoeloa, Pte M. U. Afu, Pte P. Tupou, Pte V. F. To'oa, Pte S. Tuli, Pte S. T. Niuafe, Pre L. Talamai.
No. 3 Section: Cpl V. Paama, LCpl L. Uasike, Pte T. Vaikimo'unga, Pte M. 'Aho, Pte P. Tatafu, Pte S. Fainga'anuku, Pte F. Mahoni, Pte B. L. Kivalu, Pte K. Tonga.
Support Section: Cpl S. Molia, LCpl T. S. Tatafu, Pte F. Tu'itupou, Pte T. Kaivelata, Pte A. Taulaki, Pte T. T. Mafile'o.