Four soldiers from His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada, to compete in the Best Warrior Competition, over the next few weeks. They arrived with soldiers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) on 1 March, and were welcomed with a traditional haka dance at the airport, by soldiers from the Nevada National Guard's State Partnership Program.

“It's a traditional war dance that's used to welcome people,” Nevada Staff Sgt. Keahi Granstrom said.

“We made sure to pay our respects to both Fiji and Tonga and give them kukui beads, which are from Hawaii because Vegas is considered the Ninth Island. So we just wanted to make sure to address them properly and make them feel comfortable.”

The Nevada National Guard, and Tonga and Fiji have been partners in the State Partnership Program since 2014 and 2018.

However, the Best Warrior Competition tests soldiers' ability to complete military tasks in a competitive environment.

In early January, the Nevada National Guard and His Majesties Armed Forces met in Nuku'alofa, to conduct a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), where they trained together to improve soldiering skills and tasks for the competition.

Four Tongan Marines previously competed in the 2019 contest where Pvt. Sione Lonitenisi finished in second place. The other Tongans who competed include Pvt. Saevii Tonga, Pvt. Sione Atoa and Pvt. Dimitirous Polisima.