3rd Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) Troops Take Part In Mongolia Exercise
Multinational exercise co-sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces. ‘The training that we will receive over the next two weeks will truly be helpful to the troops’
Tuesday 18 June 2019 | 14:41
Republic of Fiji Army Lt. Maikali Beranage stands at Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 14, 2019. PHOTO: Cpl. Timothy Hernandez
At least 19 soldiers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) are in Mongolia participating in Khaan Quest 2019.
The training is being conducted at Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from June 14 to June 28, 2019.
Commanding Officer 3FIR Lieutenant-Colonel Penioni Naliva confirmed the 19-member team was being led by two senior officers.
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The Khan Quest 2019 is a multinational exercise co-sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted annually by the Mongolia Armed Forces. It is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security.
This year’s exercise marks the 17th anniversary of this training event.
Approximately 220 U.S. personnel and 900 Mongolian Armed Forces (MAFG) personnel are expected to participate in Khaan Quest 2019, along with approximately 750 personnel from various other nations.
U.S. and Fiji service members discuss peacekeeping topics, including rules of engagement and protection of civilians, during Khaan Quest 2019 at Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 14, 2019. Photo: U.S. Marine Corps, Lance Cpl. Kindo Go
On the Defence Visual Information Distribution Service website, Lt. Maikali Beranage was interviewed regarding his role in the RFMF.
Interview
Q: Why did you want to join the Army?
A: “I had other career opportunities, so I did not think of the army as my first choice. One day, an opportunity opened up for me to join; I wanted to try it.”
Q: What is the importance of you and your soldiers participating in Khaan Quest 2019?
A: “This is my first time being here in Mongolia. Being in Khaan Quest 2019 to focus on peacekeeping suits where we’re from because we mainly go to places for [United Nations] peacekeeping operations in [United Nations Disengagement Observer Force], Golan, [United Nation Interim Force in Lebanon] and Iraq. The training that we will receive over the next two weeks will truly be helpful to the troops, especially when we take what we learn here and teach it to other nations when we go on UN missions. I think the most important thing is to meet new people and exchange ideas on how our militaries work. We all come from different cultures and different backgrounds, so there is a lot to learn from this experience.”
Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj
