Iraq Was Challenging, Says Youngest Female Fijian In Guard Force

The mission served in Iraq was challenging for 24-year-old Private Sonia Verina Teritabua.

Private Teritabua was one of the 87 personnel who arrived in the country in the last two weeks and completed a 14-day quarantine at the Nalagi Hotel yesterday.

She hails from Namosi and has maternal links to Togalevu in Rewa.

Mission

She served in Iraq for a period of one year and 10 months.

She was among the Fijian Guard Force protecting the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq.

They protect buildings and staff. They have served in Iraq since 2004, when the United Nations returned after its Baghdad Headquarters was blown up by a truck bomb in 2003.

The head of the United Nations Mission, Sergio Viera de Mello, was among those killed.

 The mission

She said the mission in Iraq was challenging as it was her first Tour on Duty after serving seven years in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).

“I was thankful to God for keeping me safe in what I was commissioned to do. There were a lot of new things that I have learned from there, especially the fellowship we had for each other,” Private Teritabua said.

“The mission served in Iraq was not that easy. One of the things that I experienced there was the COVID-19 pandemic. I was also affected with the virus and that really made me think more about home.”

She is expecting to meet her family in Cunningham, Suva.

Iliesa Ratuva

The mission was also an accomplishment for Iliesa Ratuva.

The 41-year-old was a Police Constable at Korovou, Tailevu before he was given the rank of Corporal when selected for the Baghdad mission.

Corporal Ratuva described the mission as challenging because they encountered some terrifying experiences in Iraq.

He thanked God for keeping them safe.

The father of four from Vunatovau in Nadroga said he was glad to be back home.