- Tonga Defence Services
-
Tonga Defence Services 
A group of Royal Tongan Marines during a training exercise in the United States in 2007Service branches Land Force, Tongan Navy, Air Wing, Training Wing, Support Unit, Territorial Forces Headquarters Vilai Barracks, Nuku'alofa Leadership Commander-in-Chief HM King George Tupou V Minister of Defense Acting Minister of Defence, Hon Fred Sevele Commander, Tonga Defence Services (CTDS) Brigadier T 'Uta'atu Manpower Military age 18 Conscription None Available for
military service34,254 males, age 16-49 (2010 est.),
32,974 females, age 16-49 (2010 est.)Fit for
military service27,404 males, age 16-49 (2010 est.),
28,509 females, age 16-49 (2010 est.)Reaching military
age annually1,448 males (2010 est.),
1,392 females (2010 est.)Expenditures Percent of GDP 0.9% GDP (2006 est.) The Tonga Defense Services (TDS) is the armed force of Tonga. It is composed of three operational command components, two support elements (logistics and training groups).
The mission of the Tonga Defence Services is to: Defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Tonga.
The TDS is partially supported by defense cooperation agreements with Australia, United States, China, United Kingdom, India and New Zealand. These Security Cooperation aim at capacity development through training of TDS personnel in leadership, academic and trades while support for infrastructure development is another part of these Security Cooperation.
In recent years, members of the TDS have supported Coalition of the Willing in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
Contents
Organization
The TDS is organized in a unified command system. It consists of three forces, the Regular Force, the Territorial Force and the Active Reserve. The three main component units of the Regular Force are the Land Force, Support TDS, and Navy.
Components
The main elements of the Tonga Defence Services are:[1][2]
- Tonga Defence Services Headquarters
- Joint Force Headquarters
- Territorial Forces
- Land Force
- Tonga Royal Guards
- Tongan Navy
- Royal Tongan Marines
- Air Wing
- Training Wing
- Support Unit
Ships of TDS Maritime Force
- VOEA Neiafu (P201) - Pacific-class patrol boat
- VOEA Pangai (P202) - Pacific-class patrol boat
- VOEA Savea (P203) - Pacific-class patrol boat
- VOEA Lomipeau (A301) - coastal tanker
- VOEA Late (C315) - LCM-8 type, logistic barge
- Titilupe - Royal Yacht
The Pacific-class patrol craft were provided to Tonga by Australia as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program.
Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes Victa Airtourer 
New ZealandMaritime patrol 1 No longer in service Beechcraft G.18S 
USASearch and rescue 1 American Champion Citabria USAMaritime patrol 1 International Defense Organisations
The TDS is a member of the following international defense organisations:
- Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS)
- Pacific Area Senior Officers Logistics Seminar (PASOLS)
- Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS)
- International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
- South Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SPHC)
- NATO Codification, where though Pacific Codification System (PCS), Tonga and Fiji are sponsored by Australia
- United Nations
History of Tonga Armed Forces
Royal Tongan Marines in Iraq.
Tonga participated in World War I, as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
The Tonga Defense Force (TDF) came into existence at the beginning of World War II in 1939. In 1943 New Zealand helped train two Tongan contingents of about 2000 troops, who saw action in the Solomon Islands. In addition, New Zealand and US troops were stationed on Tongatapu, which became a staging point for shipping.
At the end of World War II, the TDF was disbanded, but was reactivated in 1946.
Former Prime Minister Prince Lavaka Ata 'Ulukalala joined the naval arm of the Tonga Defense Service in 1982 and became Lieutenant-Commander of the defense force in 1987. From 1990 to 1995 he commanded the PPB VOEA Pangai and his time in charge included peacekeeping operations in Bougainville.
In 2002, TDS soldiers were deployed as part of a multi-national regional peacekeeping force in the Solomon Islands. In July 2004, a 45-member contingent of the TDS served in the Solomon Islands. A third contingent was sent in July 2005. This contingent consisted of 33 TDS troops, and was expected to remain four months.
In March 2003 Military to Military talks began between Tonga and the United States about Tonga providing troops for the Multinational force in Iraq. Support arrangements were finalized in May 2004. 45 Royal Tongan Marines led by the Chief of Defense of the Tonga Defense Services, Colonel Tau'aika 'Uta'atu, departed Tonga on 13 June 2004. From July 2004, the Royal Tonga Marines were augmenting the 1st Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. The Royal Marines supported the 1st Marine Division's security and stabilization mission at Camp Blue Diamond. Tonga first served with the 1st MEF on the Solomon Island during World War II.
The Royal Tongan Marines returned from Iraq in December 2004.
In 2006, TDS soldiers, in cooperation with local police, were deployed to deal with the Nuku'alofa riots.
In December 2008, the Tonga Defence Services ended their mission in the Iraq War and returned home.[3]
In 2010, Tongan troops began training with the RAF Regiment, in preparation for operations in Afghanistan; the first troops deployed to Afghanistan during February 2011.[4]
Tonga's military size is approximately 500 troops, half of which were sent to fight the War on Terror. [5]
Equipment of the Tongan Army
Israel IMI Galil- Israel Uzi
- United States M4 carbine
- United States M16 rifle
Belgium FN FNC
United Kingdom Lee-Enfield- United States M2 Browning Machine Gun
Notes
- ^ "TDS Organisation". Tonga Defence Services. http://www.defence.gov.to/organisation.htm. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ "Tonga". The World Fact Book. Central Intelligence Agency. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tn.html. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ Susman, Tina (December 5, 2008). "Tonga troops end Iraq mission". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-tonga5-2008dec05,0,264563.story. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ "RAF trains Tongan troops for Afghanistan". http://www.defpro.com/news/details/20160/. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
- ^ [1]
References
- Solomone Savelio (2004). "Peacekeeping Debut Royal Tongan Marines Help US Comrades in Arms". Coalition Bulletin 14 (July): 7.
- Royal Tongan Marines are Camp Blue Diamond (Photo)
- US Department of State Background Note: Tonga
- Ted Harris, "Digger History - An unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Services", 2004
- Tongan Defense Homepage
Categories:- Military of Tonga
- Military units and formations of the British Empire
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
