Tafakula Military Exercise ends with parade [1]
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 19:50. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
OVER 100 combined military personnel from the United States Marines, French Marines and the Tongan Defence Services platoon marched from Masefield Naval Base to Pangai Lahi, marking the end of the Tafakula 2011 Military Exercise in Tongatapu today, August 23.
Twenty French Marines from New Caledonia joined for the first time this year in the annual exercise that included 65 United States Marines and a 55 platoon of the Tonga Defence Services.
The exercise based on counter insurgency began on August 11 at Fua'amotu, Nakolo and Lavengatonga on Eastern Tongatapu and concluded on Motutapu Island.
The Commander of the Tonga Defence Services Brigadier Tau'aika 'Uta'atu said today that the exercise was designed to improve military relationships among participating forces, develop and enhance interoperability capabilities, improve planning and conducting counter insurgency operation at the same time enhance operation readiness.
"I believe you have successfully completed the Tafakula Exercise 2011 on a high note," he said.
Security
"When our armed forces have to operate together to address security challenges, each platoon should be well prepared to play their rightful role effectively . . . and we should do what is required of us at the appropriate time," he said.
Brigadier 'Uta'atu was pleased to see that their partnership in the exercise is strong and vibrant and reflected the robust bilateral partnerships betweens TDS, United States Marines and the French Armed Forces.
The Tafakula military exercise was initiated in 1985, with the objective of advancing the Amphibious Capability of the TDS. The New Zealand Defence Forces participated in 1988 and the Australian Defence Forces also participated in 1991 but in recent years they had other commitments.
The American Marines and the TDS had held annual bilateral military exercises, either in Tonga or in Hawaii.
The French Marines departs Tonga for New Caledonia on August 24 while the US Marines remain in Tonga until August 31.