This morning (Tuesday 30th November), a contingent of 43 Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel departed our shores to assist in the restoration of security and stability in the Solomon Islands.

7 more soldiers will depart tomorrow to join the contingent in the Solomon Islands.

Commander RFMF Major General Jone Kalouniwai in his farewell speech to the troops at the Queen Elizabeth Barrack’s Tuvasu Hall said “We are here, heeding the call of our nation through the Prime Minister after his discussion with the Solomon Islands Prime Minister to assist our fellow Melanesian family in the Solomons.”

Almost 80 years after our troops first landed in the Solomons and 15 years since our last deployment with the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Island, our troops will once again revisit the footsteps of their forebearers.

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