The handover of command from the Directorate Peace Support Operations (DPSO) headquarters deployable force took place on Tuesday.

The command was handed to the Joint Task Force Command (JTFC) under its commander, Colonel Manoa Gadai at the Blackrock Training Facility.

Overseeing the handover ceremonies was the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Chief of Staff, Colonel Sapenafa Motufaga representing the Commander RFMF, Major-General Jone Kalouniwai.

After the ceremonies, the Directorate Peace Support Operations was officially absorbed into the Joint Task Force Command.

Its former director, Colonel Pacolo Luveni, has now taken up the post of Director Force Development.

The Officer Commanding Blackrock Camp, Major Praneel Singh who represented the former director of Peace Support Operations signed the handover documents with Colonel Gadai.

Chief of Staff, Colonel Motufaga praised Colonel Luveni and his team for their achievements. He said that throughout the last few years the Peace Support Operations Directorate has sustained and maintained well mobility assets in mission areas such as the Golan Heights.

They have also improved the personal equipment of overseas deployed soldiers.

In addition, he acknowledged the effort of the directorate in its coordination with the Strategic Airlift by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) since 2019.

On behalf of the Commander RFMF, Colonel Motufaga congratulated Colonel Gadai and wished him well in his new posting. The new JTFC Commander would be based at Blackrock in Nadi.

A Guard of Honour of two detachments consisting mainly western-based Companies of Echo (Lautoka) and Delta (Nadi) from the Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) was reviewed by the chief guest, Colonel Motufaga.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj