Tonga deploys soldiers to Iraq

[seruriermarshal]

Tonga deploys soldiers to Iraq


Tonga deploys soldiers to Iraq

A contingent of Tongan soldiers is heading to the Middle East to join American forces in Iraq.

The 44 Tongan troops will travel to Kuwait first, and after acclimatising will then join the First US Marine Division.

Their exact role hasn't been determined, but at first it is likely they will be confined to camp duties and training.

The Tongan Government says the Kingdom's contribution to the effort to bring peace and stability to Iraq is relative to what the country can afford.

The Tongans are expecting to stay in Iraq for six months



From (http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANewsStories_1131817.htm)

[Ichhabe]

Wow! Interesting I must say. This must be like the US. Army deploying a million men.

[Pille1234]

I guess that makes one more for the coalition of the willing rofl

Sorry, I really shouldn't be that arrogant.

[MARINO]

Much better wnt into irak than leave Irak :(

[Marsuitor]

Well, it's a start isn't it? Good lads definately, but i fail to see how 44 soldiers hanging about in camp will do much of a difference... :|

[usa320]

Having 44 soldiers around camp to cook, clean, do guard duty, service vehicles and the likes means we can have 44 more soldiers out fighting and the likes.

[JC0352]

I know this is an old thread, but I worked with these guys in Ramadi and they have my total respect. There weren't many of them there, but there's not many of them to begin with: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16092.htm

There was even a Marine in Fallujah at the time who was originally from Tonga. His command allowed him to pay these guys a visit. It was really cool since he knew some of them as kids.

[Johnny bazooka]

wow, this must be a turning point in the war ! ! !

[JC0352]

Yea, because that's exactly what I was saying! :roll:

I just meant that they were respectable soldiers.

[Noble713]

I know this is an old thread, but I worked with these guys in Ramadi and they have my total respect. There weren't many of them there, but there's not many of them to begin with: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16092.htm



DEFENSE
The Tonga Defense Service (TDS) is a 450-person force. The force is comprised of a headquarters platoon and a light infantry company. A coastal naval unit of four small patrol boats and amphibious landing craft operates as a component of the TDS.


They deployed an entire platoon, which would be roughly 1/3rd of their entire ground force. It's shame all of our allies can't contribute at similar rates.

[Dodge]

Here's a picture, from wiki.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/RoyalTonganMarines2004.JPG

[Beowulf]

sweet, glad to have em.

Now if we could just get em to play rugby for us.......

[LEGEND]

i'm not too bad in geography, but had to pull a map out for this one:)

[XIE]

I meet the PL Commander of that unit pictured above on Tuesday night.

Said he couldn't understand the culture in Iraq, but apart from that it was good.

[Silverado]

Well, it's a start isn't it? Good lads definately, but i fail to see how 44 soldiers hanging about in camp will do much of a difference... :|

Clearly you've never been turfed out of a Nightclub by a Tongan bouncer .

[Kingswat]

Every little bit helps, and for a country with a small military that's a pretty big contribution.

[EvanL]

sweet, glad to have em.

Now if we could just get em to play rugby for us.......
You guys have American Samoa and you still can't even pull that together for Rugby!

[JC0352]

You should've seen them just when they were playing volleyball or basketball! bodies catching elbows and flying, haha:)!!! They're also really good at throwing lots of lead downrange too...

[Jag_är_ inte_svenska]

A platoon of combat troops is quite welcome from such a small military. Did they figure into any battles?

[DanteXavier]

A platoon of combat troops is quite welcome from such a small military. Did they figure into any battles?

According to this fella's post on the last page, they were in Ramadi.


I know this is an old thread, but I worked with these guys in Ramadi and they have my total respect. There weren't many of them there, but there's not many of them to begin with: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16092.htm

There was even a Marine in Fallujah at the time who was originally from Tonga. His command allowed him to pay these guys a visit. It was really cool since he knew some of them as kids.

[Jag_är_ inte_svenska]

According to this fella's post on the last page, they were in Ramadi.


Oh okay thanks. The deployment must have been the 1st combat role they've been given since ww2.