Tongan soldiers train for Afghanistan deployment [1]
Thursday, September 2, 2010 - 19:52. Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2014 - 18:31.
TONGA'S first contingent of 55 soldiers for Afghanistan are preparing to be deployed before Christmas this year, after flying to England at the end of September or in early October, for six weeks of training.
Lieutenant Commander Solomone Savelio said on September 2, that the Tongan soldiers will be deployed for six months and will work with the British Armed Forces in Helmand Province in Southern Afghanistan.
He said the Tongan soldiers would carry out Base Security at the British Camp Bastion where the US Marines are also based.
"It will be doubly beneficial to TDS to not only work with the British but also working with the US Marines that have worked with TDS before in Iraq and other bilateral exercises."
Camp Bastion is the main British military base in Afghanistan and is also the largest British overseas military camp since World War II.
Meanwhile, three officers from the British Armed Forces led by Squadron Leader Tim Whiteman of the Royal Air Force (RAF) from the UK Permanent Joint Head Quarter; Squadron Paul Hamilton, RAF; and Squadron Dave Martin, RAF from the Air Command; had made a five day visit to Tonga last week.
They met with TDS Commander Brigadier Tau'aika 'Uta'atu to go over administration details for the overall support in relation to the deployment, and also held training exercises with the Tongan soldiers for Afghanistan.
LCDR Savelio said arrangements were progressing between the TDS and the British Armed Forces and that the actual details of the deployment had not been finalised.
"We will know the full details soon, after the completion of the Memorandum of Understanding between Tonga and Britain," he said.
MOU
LCDR Savelio added the MOU was near completion and they were hoping to sign it soon so that the Tongan troops could be deployed at the end of the month or early October to England, in order to meet with the British Deployment to Afghanistan in November or early December of this year.
He confirmed that TDS Commander Brigadier 'Uta'atu would fly to England to sign the MOU when ready and that the British would be meeting all expenses in relation to the deployment of the Tongan soldiers.
The Tongan contingent consists of 55 soldiers, including three Officers.
"We are planning to start in Afghanistan about late November or early December," said LCDR Savelio.
However, he said the British noted the high standard of TDS general skills and had expressed that they were confident that TDS would meet expectations and successfully achieve the mission to Afghanistan. Copyright © www.matangitonga.to [2]