His Majesty's Armed Forces - Tonga

28/08/2026

𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐅 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐅𝐅, 𝐇𝐌𝐀𝐅

COL Soane M.V ‘Aholelei has been approved as the Chief of the Defence Staff, HMAF, to be effective on the 25th of October 2026.

Colonel ‘Aholelei has served in HMAF since February 1994 and currently holds the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff.

The officers and ranks of HMAF extend their congratulations to Colonel ‘Aholelei and wish him every success in the future.

19/08/2026

Malo e kataki moe talamonū

14/08/2026

VOEA NGAHAUSILIVA Provides a Successful Emergency Transport of Medical Team to Eua

At about 3am Thursday 13 Aug 2026, the Tonga Navy was alerted by the Emergency Medical Response Team from Vaiola Hospital of an emergency case in Eua Island and requesting to transport the medical response team immediately.

Upon receiving the emergency call, the Tonga Navy prepared to sail and within 90 minutes, the mission was launched dispatching VOEA NGHAUSILIVA at 4:30am with a medical team of nine medical Doctors and Nurses to provide urgent assistance to a critical situation involving a lifesaving operation to a mother. The dedicated team reached Eua at 6am where they conducted an emergency procedure that ultimately saved the patient.

On behalf of the Minister Responsible for Defence HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the HMAF extended on his behalf a sincere gratitude to the Tonga Navy sailors for their good efforts. Additionally, the HMAF expressed an appreciation to the Australian Defence Adviser for the support provided through the Australia DCP Patrol boat program which played an invaluable assistance and partnership with the HMAF.

14/08/2026

Proud to see our junior HMAF members developing their English skills through the support of Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program (DCP).🇹🇴🇦🇺

A great opportunity to strengthen communication, build confidence, and prepare for future training and partnerships.

Malo ‘aupito DCP for your continued support to HMAF.🤝

Good communication builds strong partnerships, and we're proud to support HMAF on their learning journey🇹🇴🤝🇦🇺

Junior members of His Majesty's Armed Forces - Tonga are sharpening their English skills at the HMAF Leadership Centre through a course supported by Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program (DCP)📚💪

Strong English skills help HMAF personnel work more effectively alongside English-speaking partner forces and open doors to future Australian Defence Force training opportunities.

DCP proudly supports English language training for HMAF every year through courses like this, along with activities that give personnel plenty of opportunities to practise their skills beyond the classroom.

17/07/2026

Talitali 'a e Chief of Army,
Taumalu'i Fonua 'a Nu'usila

Na'e talitali lelei 'e he Kau Tau 'a 'Ene 'Afio (HMAF) 'a e P**e Army 'a e Taumalu'i Fonua 'a Nu'usila, Major General Rose King, 'i he'ene 'a'ahi faka'ofisiale mai ki Tonga mei he 'aho 23–25 Sune 2026.

Ko Major General Rose King ko e fuofua fefine ia ke ne hoko ko e P**e Army 'a e Taumalu'i Fonua 'a Nu'usila. Na'e talitali ia 'i he 'Apitanga Tau Masefield 'e he P**e 'o e Kau Tau, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa, fakataha mo e kau taki ma'olunga 'o e Kau Tau.

Lolotonga 'ene 'a'ahi, na'a ne lava 'o 'a'ahi ki he ngaahi va'a kehekehe 'o e Kau Tau, kau ai e Va'a Tautahi, Va’a Ako mo e Va’a Tau’uta, pea fakahoko ai mo ha ngaahi fakataha ngāue ke fakaivia 'a e fengāue'aki 'i he vaha'a 'o e Kau Tau ‘A ‘Ene ‘Afio mo e Taumalu’I fonua ‘a Nu'usila.

'Oku fakahaa'i 'e he 'a'ahi ko 'eni 'a e hokohoko atu 'o e fengāue’aki 'i he vaa ngaue 'o e Kau Tau ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio mo e Taumalu’i fonua ‘a Nu’usila.

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His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) welcomed the Chief of Army of the New Zealand Defence Force, Major General Rose King, during her official visit to Tonga from 23–25 June 2026.

Major General King, the first woman to serve as Chief of Army of the New Zealand Defence Force, was received at Masefield Base by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa, and the HMAF senior leadership.

During her visit, she toured HMAF units, including the Tonga Royal Navy, Training Command Unit and Land Force, and met with senior leaders to discuss strengthening the long standing defence partnership between HMAF and NZDF.

The visit reaffirmed the strong and enduring relationship between the two Armed Forces and their shared commitment to continued cooperation.

13/07/2026

We are proud to recognise WO2 Lavaki with an Australian Defence Force Command Commendation for his outstanding leadership, initiative, and commitment during his time at the Defence International Training Centre.

Throughout his course, WO2 Lavaki demonstrated professionalism, humility, and personal discipline well beyond what is normally expected. He consistently supported his peers and DITC staff, placing the needs of others before his own and contributing to a cohesive, inclusive, and highly motivated learning environment.
His leadership was evident both formally and informally. WO2 Lavaki was a mentor, a steady presence in the classroom, and a role model who lived by the principle of “no one left behind.” Through encouragement, humour, and quiet confidence, he helped keep his classmates connected, focused, and supported—especially during challenging moments.

A particularly strong example of his initiative was his contribution to the International Women’s Day Inspiration Tree. Alongside fellow personnel, WO2 Lavaki designed and created the tree structure, helping deliver a project that continues to support wellbeing and inspire others across the DITC and wider ADF community.
He also made personal sacrifices in pursuit of learning and service, undertaking his course—demonstrating a deep commitment to professional growth, leadership, and duty.

WO2 Lavaki’s conduct brought DITC’s motto to life. Friendship Through Understanding was not something spoken—it was something he practised every day. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, His Majesty’s Armed Forces, and the Kingdom of Tonga, while strengthening the trusted international partnerships at the heart of DITC.

Bravo Zulu, WO2 Lavaki. Your leadership sets the standard and continues to inspire.

11/07/2026

Kau Tau 'A 'Ene 'Afio 'i he Pacific Response Group(PRG) 'I Nu'usila

Na’e tuku atu foki ‘e he Kau Tau ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio, ‘a ‘enau fuofua kau memipa ‘e toko tolu kenau kau atu ‘i he fakahoko fatongia ‘i he Pacific Response Group (PRG) ‘i Trentham Military Camp, Uelingatoni, Nu‘u Sila.

Ko e kau mēmipa koeni ko Kapiteni Manoa mo hono fāmili, WO2 Moala, mo CPL Teu, ‘aia na’e kamata ‘enau fakahoko fatongia ‘i he ‘aho 2 ‘o Siulai 2026 pea tenau ‘iai ‘I ha ta’u ‘e taha.

‘Oku tokoni foki e kau atu koia ‘a e Kau Tau ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio ki he ngāue ko ‘eni ki hono fakaivimālohi‘i ‘o e vā fengāue‘aki fakakautau fakafeitu‘u, pea mo hono fakalakalaka ‘o e taukei mo e mateuteu ngāue ‘a ‘ene kau mēmipa.

💫💫💫💫💫💫

His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) proudly marks a milestone with the posting of its first personnel to the Pacific Response Group (PRG) at Trentham Military Camp, Wellington, New Zealand.

Captain (CAPT)Viliami Pahulu Manoa (accompanied by his family), Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) William Benedict Moala, and Corporal (CPL) Helena Siulolovao Teu commenced their one-year posting on 2nd July 2026.

This reflects HMAF's commitment to strengthening regional defence cooperation and enhancing the operational experience of its personnel and contributing to the development of regional capabilities to respond effectively to shared challenges, including humanitarian assistance and security requirements.

Talamonū atu ki he fuafatongia.

11/07/2026

FANA POLO FAKATA’U
FANA'ANGAPOLO LOKUPO, ‘EUA
ME 2026

Na‘e lava lelei ‘a e Fanapolo Fakata‘u, 2026, ‘a e Kau Tau ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio, na‘e fakahoko ‘i he Fana‘angapolo ‘i Lokupo, ‘Eua, mei he ‘aho 11 ki he 23 ‘o Mē 2026.

Na‘e fakahoko ‘a e fanapolo ni ‘e ha konga kau ‘e tolu, pea koe toko 250 fakakatoa ‘a e Kau Tau ne faingamalie ‘o fakakakato ‘a e ako fakata’u ni. Na‘e fakakakato pe ‘a hono fetukutuku ‘a e Kau Tau ‘e he VOEA LATE, ke fakapapau‘i ‘oku ma‘u ‘e he kau tau kotoa na'e malava kenau kau atu, ‘a e faingamālie ke kau ki he ako ni.

Na‘e kau ‘i he fanapolo ‘a e fana ofi mo e fana mama‘o, fana ki he taketi luelue mo e taketi ‘oku lele, pea pehē foki ki he fanapolo ‘i he taimi po’uli ka e ngāue‘aki ‘a e Night Vision.

Ko e taumu‘a ‘o e fanapolo ko hono sivi‘I, fakamalohia mo fakaivia ‘a e taukei mo e tu’unga mateuteu mo e poto’i fakakautau ‘a e Kau Tau ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio, ke kei mateuteu ma‘u pē ki hono fakahoko honau ngaahi fatongia fakakautau mo e malu‘i.

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His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) successfully conducted its Annual Live Firing Exercise at the Lokupo Firing Range in ‘Eua from 11 to 23 May 2026.

The exercise was conducted in three rotations, with personnel transported by VOEA LATE to ensure all members had the opportunity to participate. Approximately 250 personnel took part in the training.

The exercise included close-range and long-range marksmanship, engaging moving and running targets, as well as night firing using Night Vision equipment.

The Annual Live Firing Exercise is designed to assess and enhance the operational readiness and combat proficiency of HMAF personnel, ensuring they remain prepared to carry out their military duties.

09/07/2026

HMAF Strengthens Regional Partnerships and Operational Readiness Through Exercise MARARA 2026

His Majesty’s Armed Forces proudly joined regional and international partners in Exercise MARARA 2026, hosted by the Armed Forces in French Polynesia from 3–16 June 2026 in Tahiti and Makemo.

Held biennially, the exercise brought together 15 partner nations to strengthen interoperability, enhance operational readiness, and improve multinational Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) response capabilities.

A contingent of 23 HMAF personnel lead by Captain Tevita Fifita, took part in the exercise, training alongside French and partner forces in force integration, combat readiness, joint disaster relief drills, and operational tasks. The contingent successfully achieved all training objectives and returned safely to Tonga on 4 July 2026.

Participation in Exercise MARARA 2026 reflects HMAF’s continued commitment to regional security, stronger partnerships, and maintaining operational readiness to support humanitarian operations across the Pacific.

HMAF extends its sincere appreciation to the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia for their support and hospitality throughout the exercise.

29/06/2026