Fiji soldiers

The soldiers left Port Vila yesterday.

Republic of the Fiji Military Forces’ Major Timoci Naivalu extended his thanks to the communities and people of Vanuatu for showing their love, care, and appreciation for their efforts.

Naivalu also thanked his officers for their efforts during the month-long deployment.

The team assisted in the distribution of rations, clearing of debris and rebuilding of houses in the affected areas.

RFMF Commander, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai said the contingent has been divided into two groups.

The first group comprising 32 soldiers were airlifted on a C117 aircraft from Brisbane to Tongatapu.

The soldiers flew to Brisbane last month where they completed quarantine requirements.

Kalouniwai said the other 19 personnel will be maintained as the rear party and will depart on the HMAS Canberra over the next few days to hand over with the HMAS Adelaide that is currently in Tonga.