Tongan Troops Mark End of Mission With War Dance

Tongan Forces in Afghanistan have successfully completed their mission and are heading home, after significantly contributing to coalition efforts in Helmand Province.

His Majesty’s Armed forces of Tonga first deployed personnel to Afghanistan in November 2010, in a role dedicated to the security of the largest British base, Camp Bastion.

The final Tongan contingent is the seventh that has deployed to the country, and are 55 strong. The 55 includes 13 who have deployed to Camp Bastion before. These soldiers make up roughly 10% of their Armed Forces, a large commitment to ISAF operations from a small country.

Throughout this six month deployment, they have served alongside UK (RAF Regt, RAF Police, Army), USMC and Bosnian Armed forces. They celebrated the end of their operation in a multinational parade, during which they performed Sipi Tau – the Tongan war dance. The parade reviewing officer was Lt Gen John Lorrimer (Deputy Commander ISAF).

The last Tongan unit has been commanded by Lt Col Carl Tuivai, who also commanded the last Tongan contingent on Op TELIC, Iraq, in 2008.

He said: “I think the troops have learnt a lot of experience and culture, not only working with the UK forces, but with the Bosnian and Jordanian armed forces, and also the United States Marine Corps. I think they’ve learnt a lot of experience of these cultures, and they’ve exchanged skills during the tasks.”

The RAF Regt have served closely alongside the Tongans. One of the flight commanders Flying Officer Gwyn Edwards has enjoyed the experience, both professionally and socially. 

The Tongans are absolutely fantastic guys

He said: “The Tongans are absolutely fantastic guys, they bring so much charisma, so much energy to the task that they are doing. It’s been great to be around that.”

The Tongan’s will arrive home within the next few days, after a long flight with numerous stops. They are looking forward to some well deserved leave, and seeing their friends and families. 

The Danish will be the next to end their operations in Afghanistan, leaving in the near future. This really is a sign that troops are heading home as operations in Afghanistan draw to a close.