The 54 Republic of Fiji Military Forces engineering contingent hit the ground running yesterday after arriving in Victoria, Australia on Sunday.

They are part of 350 international military representatives supporting the Australian Defence Force (ADF) efforts in the bushfire crisis.

According to the Australian Department of Defence, this includes 90 New Zealand Defence Force members, 100 Papua New Guinea Defence Force members, almost 50 Republic of Singapore Air Force members and 70 Japan Self-Defense Force members and 54 Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel.

Yesterday the RFMF soldiers continued their induction at Puckapunyal. Once this is complete they will start road clearance tasks in the Orbost region.

The Department of Defence noted that poor weather conditions in parts of Victoria may impact ground operations. These activities will resume once weather conditions change..

Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) engineers are working with ADF members to clear roads in Omeo.

Thousands of homes and infrastructures were damaged in past months from the bushfires. Millions of animals were also killed.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama wished the Fijian troops well as they aid Fiji’s vuvale in Australia by helping them to  recover and rebuild from the crisis.

The 54-strong RFMF personnel departed from Nadi on Sunday onboard a Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft.

Papua New Guinea Defence Forces also dispatched 100 troops last week from the engineers 1st Pacific Regiment who will be deployed in Australia for three months.

Edited by Percy Kean

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