His Majesty's Armed Forces (Tonga)
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox national military
His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) is the military of Tonga. It is composed of three operational components and two support elements (logistics and training groups).
The mission of HMAF is to: "Defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Tonga".
The HMAF is partially supported by defence co-operation agreements with Australia, the United States, China, India, and New Zealand. The co-operation aims at capacity development through training of HMAF personnel in leadership, academic and trades while support for infrastructure development is another part of the security co-operation.
Since 2001, members of HMAF have supported the coalition of the willing in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
History
[edit]
The military history of Tonga extends from World War I to the present day, with Tonga participating in World War I, World War II, and the Afghan war, among other conflicts.<ref name="ALG3" />
Components
[edit]The main elements of HMAF are:<ref name="HMAF_organisation">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- His Majesty's Armed Forces HQ
- Joint Force HQ
- Tongan Land Force
- Tongan Royal Guards
- Royal Tongan Marines
- Combined Logistics and Technical Support
- Tongan Maritime Force
- Training Command
- Tongan Air Wing
- Support Unit
- Territorial Forces
Tongan Maritime Force
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The Maritime Force is equipped with two Guardian-class patrol boats, provided by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, a tanker, a Landing Craft Mechanised and a motor boat, that is the royal yacht.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Tongan Maritime Force performs patrol missions, occasionally dealing with border violations, at the Minerva Reef and Tonga's restricted fishing zones.<ref name="ALG3">Template:Cite web</ref>
Royal Tongan Marines
[edit]The Royal Tongan Marine Infantry is organized as a single Battalion size group with a HQ and 3 Light Infantry Companies, based at Fua'amotu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tongan Royal Guards
[edit]The Tongan Royal Guards are a company size unit that are responsible for the security of His Majesty. The Royal Guard maintains a musical unit known as the Tonga Royal Corps of Musicians that serves as a military band for different occasions.
Tongan Air Wing
[edit]On 4 May 1996 the Air Wing was created. A Beech 18 was taken into service. In 1999 a Citabria was obtained to help with training of the Beech 18.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
International Defence Organisations
[edit]The HMAF is a member of the following international defence organisations:
- Pacific Armies Management Seminar
- Pacific Area Senior Officers Logistics Seminar
- Western Pacific Naval Symposium
- International Hydrographic Organization
- South Pacific Hydrographic Commission
- NATO Codification, where though Pacific Codification System, Tonga and Fiji are sponsored by Australia
Tonga has an agreement to share "disaster response knowledge" with the United States Nevada National Guard.<ref> Template:Cite news </ref>
Ranks
[edit]The ranks used by His Majesty's Armed Forces are similar to those used in other Commonwealth armed forces.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Commanders
[edit]Until 2013, commanders were called Commander of the Tongan Defence Services. After 2013, they are now called Chief of the Defence Staff of the HMAF.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
Equipment
[edit]Small arms
[edit]| Model | Image | Origin | Type | Calibre | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handguns | ||||||
| Glock 17 | File:Glock 17 (6825676904) без фона.jpg | Template:Flagu | Pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | ||
| Bolt-action rifles | ||||||
| Lee Enfield No.4 | File:SMLE No4 Mk1.jpg | Template:Flagu | Bolt-action rifle | .303 | Acquired from New Zealand; many remain unissued and in storage.<ref name=Capie>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Submachine guns | ||||||
| Uzi | File:Uzi of the israeli armed forces.jpg | Template:Flagu | Sub-machine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | ||
| Assault rifles | ||||||
| FN FNC | File:FNC IMG 1527.jpg | Template:Flagu | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm | Standard service rifle of Tonga.<ref name=Capie/> | |
| IMI Galil | File:Galil.jpg | Template:Flagu | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm | Donated by Israel in 1988.<ref name=Capie/> | |
| M4A1 | File:M4A1 ACOG.png | Template:Flagu | Carbine rifle | 5.56×45mm | ||
| Machine guns | ||||||
| M2 Browning | File:PEO Browning M2E2 QCB (c1).jpg | Template:Flagu | Heavy machine gun | 12.7x99mm NATO | ||
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Vehicles
[edit]| Model | Image | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeled vehicles | |||||
| Unimog U1700 | File:Australian Army Unimog truck with digital camouflage.JPG | Template:Flagu | Military truck | Five | Five donated by Australia in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Template:Cite journal
- Royal Tongan Marines are Camp Blue Diamond Template:Webarchive (Photo)
- US Department of State Background Note: Tonga
- Ted Harris, "Digger History - An unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Services", 2004
Template:Tonga topics Template:Military of Oceania Template:Military ranks by country Template:His Majesty's Armed Forces (Tonga)