The Republic of Fiji Military Forces 2020 Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) peacekeeping mission was officially opened by the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) General Angus Campbell today 27th January at the Blackrock Peacekeeping School, in Nadi.
The purpose of General Campbell’s visit to Blackrock was to sight the progress of construction works currently ongoing in Blackrock. He was also accompanied by Air Marshall Kevin Short, CDF of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), their respective wives and Military Advisors.
Present to welcome the two Chief of Defence was the Commander RFMF (CRFMF) Rear-Admiral Viliame Naupoto, the Chief of Staff RFMF Captain (Navy) John Fox and RFMF personnel including members of the PDT for the MFO peacekeeping mission this year.
Whilst speaking to the PDT candidates, General Campbell stated that he was excited to have met with his two counterparts (Rear-Admiral Naupoto and Air-Marshall Short) and was eager to discuss certain ways to strengthen security and resilience for the three Defence Forces and further appeal in operation were we serve together in overseas.
When asked about the Black Rock training center, General Campbell stated that the re-development of Black Rock contributed to the Nation in terms of deployment and humanitarian assistance training and would be a center where Pacific Island Nations would also take part in the training.
“Blackrock the Peacekeeping Humanitarian training center, Australia is working in partnership with RFMF to redevelop the center and also to contribute in structural capacity to Fiji led development of pre-deployment training for peacekeeping missions and for also Humanitarian assistance. I think it will become a regional center of excellence and will see nations in the pacific requesting to come and be part of the training here. We certainly wish to be part of that partnership.” General Campbell added.
In conclusion, General Campbell also acknowledged the hard work and enthusiasm of the team that was recently deployed to Australia and encouraged the candidates to keep working together as a team to be better representatives of the Nation.
“I thank the RFMF through your Commander for an extraordinary enthusiasm and the hard work and the spirit of your team recently deployed to assist Australia in the bush fire emergency that we have been experienced recently last few months.”
“Your deployed team speaks so incredibly highly of the enthusiasm, the hard work and also that spirit to bring humanity along. That’s what I encourage all of you on this course to think about for your next step, you have great instructors and time and opportunity dedicated to developing your skills, your knowledge and your ability to work as a team to be stronger together, to be part of that course and to be great representative of Fiji,” General Campbell concluded.
The delegation was then hosted to a dinner by the CRFMF before bilateral talks were held with RFMF representatives on the next day.
