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image-1 = images/TAFAKULA2/1.jpg title-1 = description-1 = Australian Army soldier Trooper Harrison Dietrich, from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), in Tonga during Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence) status-1 = 1 image-2 = images/TAFAKULA2/2.jpg title-2 = description-2 = Soldiers from the Australian Army during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence) status-2 = 1 image-3 = images/TAFAKULA2/3.jpg title-3 = description-3 = Australian Army soldier Private William McPherson from 1st/19th Royal New South Wales Regiment searches for targets during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence) status-3 = 1 image-4 = images/TAFAKULA2/4.jpg title-4 = description-4 = Australian Army soldier Trooper Benjamin Crawford from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) fires during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence) status-4 = 1 image-5 = images/TS12/5.jpg title-5 = description-5 = Private Ha’ele Finau from His Majesty’s Armed Forces aims towards the enemy during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence) status-5 = 1 image-6 = images/TAFAKULA2/6.jpg title-6 = description-6 = Private Corey Ford from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, fires during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence) status-6 = 1 image-7 = images/TAFAKULA2/7.jpg title-7 = description-7 = Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence) status-7 = 1 image-8 = images/TAFAKULA2/8.jpg title-8 = description-8 = Private Siljee Darius from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, uses the radio during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence) status-8 = 1 image-9 = images/TAFAKULA2/9.jpg title-9 = description-9 = Members from the His Majesty’s Armed Forces and US Army observe a simulated assault in Tongatapu. (Credit - Defence) status-9 = 1 image-10 = images/TAFAKULA2/10.jpg title-10 = description-10 = Australian Army soldier Private Rohan Werner-Hall, from 2nd/17th Royal New South Wales Regiment, aims towards the enemy during a simulated assault. (Credit - Defence) status-10 = 1 image-11 = images/TAFAKULA2/11.jpg title-11 = description-11 = Australian Army soldier Trooper Matt Boston, from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), on completion of a simulated assault. (Credit - Defence) status-11 = 1 image-12 = images/TAFAKULA2/12.jpg title-12 = description-12 = Lance Corporal Safinati Tu’a from His Majesty’s Armed Forces provides direction during battle rehearsals at Taliai Military Base. (Credit - Defence) status-12 = 1 image-13 = title-13 = description-13 = status-13 = image-14 = title-14 = description-14 = status-14 = image-15 = title-15 = description-15 = status-15 = image-16 = title-16 = description-16 = status-16 = image-17 = title-17 = description-17 = status-17 = image-18 = title-18 = description-18 = status-18 = image-19 = title-19 = description-19 = status-19 = image-20 = title-20 = description-20 = status-20 =
Tongan-led Exercise TAFAKULA 2019 has come to a close, after Australia participated in the operation for the first time.
Tongan-led Exercise TAFAKULA 2019 has come to a close, after Australia participated in the operation for the first time.
The biennial exercise is designed to train units of His Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga and, historically, to enhance engagement and interoperability between the New Zealand Defence Force, French Army New Caledonia, Nevada National Guard and US Marine Corps.
2019 marked the first time the Australia Army would take part in the Exercise, with an Aussie contingent consisting of 15 personnel from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) and the 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers.
For a look at some of the action from the exercise, scroll through the image gallery above.
Photo Essay: Exercise TAFAKULA comes to a close
Louis Dillon
Australian Army soldier Trooper Harrison Dietrich, from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), in Tonga during Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence)
Soldiers from the Australian Army during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence)
Australian Army soldier Private William McPherson from 1st/19th Royal New South Wales Regiment searches for targets during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence)
Australian Army soldier Trooper Benjamin Crawford from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) fires during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence)
Private Ha’ele Finau from His Majesty’s Armed Forces aims towards the enemy during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence)
Private Corey Ford from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, fires during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence)
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence)
Private Siljee Darius from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, uses the radio during a simulated assault in Tongatapu, Tonga, as part of the field training phase of Exercise TAFAKULA 2019. (Credit - Defence)
Members from the His Majesty’s Armed Forces and US Army observe a simulated assault in Tongatapu. (Credit - Defence)
Australian Army soldier Private Rohan Werner-Hall, from 2nd/17th Royal New South Wales Regiment, aims towards the enemy during a simulated assault. (Credit - Defence)
Australian Army soldier Trooper Matt Boston, from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), on completion of a simulated assault. (Credit - Defence)
Lance Corporal Safinati Tu’a from His Majesty’s Armed Forces provides direction during battle rehearsals at Taliai Military Base. (Credit - Defence)
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