Defence

The Tonga Defence Services is otherwise known as Tonga's Ministry of Defence. The Tonga Defence Services is comprised of TDS HQ, Joint Force HQ, Territorial Forces, Land Force, Tonga Navy, Training Wing, Air Wing and Support Unit.

FUNCTIONS & DUTIES:
The TDS functions and duties are specified in the TDS Act 1992, Privy Council Decision and Defence Board Decision. In Section 5, Part II of TDS Act 1992 the following functions and duties are specified:

- The defence of the Kingdom;
- The Aid of civil authorities in maintenance of order in the Kingdom;
- The support of civil authorities; and
- Those other functions and duties that His Majesty may from time to time determine.

In addition to the above functions and duties, the Privy Council Decision in 1995, directed that Tonga Defence Services is to raise capability for Counter Terrorism Operations.

Furthermore, the Defence Board Decision No. 4/04 of 17 September 2004, directed that the Tonga Defence Services contribute to the United Nations operations in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

Hon. Lord Tu'ivakano - Minister for Defence (Acting)

Brigadier General Tau'aika 'Uta'atu - Commander, Tonga Defence Services

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tonga Defence Services

TDS HQ,

Nuku'alofa,

P.O.Box 72

TONGA Is

Phone (676) 23-099/25-901 Fax (676) 23-934 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.defence.gov.to

Tonga's Second Contingent to Afghanistan makes safe return today

MINISTRIES - Defence

9 December 2011. Arriving on Friday afternoon at the Fua'amotu International Airport, was a special charted flight of the New Zealand Air Force aircraft that has flown in from Australia, bringing home Tonga's second contingent to Afghanistan.

The contingent which left earlier in the year in April spent a six-week pre-deployment training in England before being deployed to Afghanistan in late June.

Led by Tonga Defence Services senior officers, Commander Sione Uaisele Fifita and accompanying officers Major Sione Lamipeti Mapakaitolo and Lietnant Noel Takau, the second contingent of 55 soldiers make it home for the Christmas break.

The Contigent was being greeted upon their arrival at the Airport by the Minister for Lands, Survey, Natural Resources & Environment, the Hon. Lord Ma'afu, the Commander of the Tonga Defence Services, Brigadier General Tau'aika 'Uta'atu and Lady Tu'ivakano, spouse of the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.

Meanwhile, Tonga's peacekeeping operations and commitment to military deployment to Afghanistan will rotate for six-month periods for each contingent and is expected to review its deployment by December 2012.

Tonga's contribution of military personnel will support NATO's led Security Mission into Afghanistan by assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in exercising and extending its authority and influence across the country, paving the way for reconstruction and effective governance.

>>> View Photo Album HERE

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2011. Contact: LCDR Solomone Savelio, Tonga Defence Services.