The Tonga Defence Services Third Deployment to Iraq is currently serving alongside USA soldiers in a peacekeeping mission after arriving in Baghdad on February 18.

Captain Toni Fonokalafi said today that Lt Col Kuli Fakalolo leads the 55 soldiers and the platoon leader is Captain Siaosi Veikune.

He said the Tongan troops are based at Camp Victory in Baghdad, which is the headquarters of the Multinational Force, at the Al Faw Palace.

For six months they will provide security of all entry control points into the Al Faw Palace, provide the perimeter defence, provide direction to VIP guests, and assist in any emergency, said Capt Fonokalafi.

The third contingent left Tonga in January for Hawaii where they underwent a three weeks training at the Schofield Barracks.

The troops then left for Kuwait before arriving in Baghdad on

February 18.