Vanuatu Mobile Forces
Template:Short description Template:Infobox law enforcement unit
The Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) is a small, mobile corps of 300 volunteers that makes up Vanuatu's military. Its primary task is to assist the Vanuatu Police Force. However, should Vanuatu be attacked, then the VMF will act as the first line of defence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1994, VMF deployed 50 people to Papua New Guinea, as their first peacekeeping mission.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Though the armed forces in Vanuatu have never overthrown a government, members of the VMF angry about their pay detained President Jean-Marie Léyé and Deputy Prime Minister Barak Sopé on October 12, 1996 but released them just a few hours later.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
List of commanders
[edit]- Colonel Ian Arthur Naunton Cook (1980–1984)
- Sato Kilman (1984–1986)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- James Aru (?–?)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Colonel Seule Takal (? - 1996 - ?)
- Lieutenant Colonel Harold Thompson (? - 1999 - ?)
- Lieutenant Colonel Apie Jack Mari Kempo (? - 2002 - ?)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Joshua Bong (? - 2004)
- Lieutenant Colonel Willie Vira (2004–2010)<ref name="commander2010">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Lieutenant Colonel Aru Maralau (2010–?)<ref name="commander2010" />
- Lieutenant Colonel Job Esau (?–2015)<ref name="Colonel-Iavro">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Colonel Robson Iavro (2015–22 October 2019)<ref name="Colonel-Iavro"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Lieutenant Colonel Kalshem Bongran (22 October 2019–?) acting
- Colonel Astrophile Mwele (?-present)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Equipment of Vanuatu Mobile Forces
[edit]Infantry weapons
| Name | Image | Origin | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beretta 92<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | File:Beretta 92S.jpg | Template:ITA | Semi-automatic pistol | Standard sidearm |
| Sterling submachine gun | File:Sterling SMG2.JPG | Template:GBR | Submachine gun | |
| FAMAS<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | File:FAMAS Assaultrifle FRA noBG.png | Template:FRA | Assault rifle | Standard issue |
| L1A1 SLR<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | File:FN-FAL belgian noBG.png | Template:GBR | Battle rifle | Used in training |
