FANC Commander and Ship Visits RFMF

Earlier today (12 Dec 19) Brigadier-General (Brig-Gen)  Frank Barrera of the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC) paid a courtesy visit to the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Force (CRFMF) Rear-Admiral (RADM) Viliame Naupoto at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Strategic Headquarters.

The RFMF receives high dignitary visitors such as this as part of the International Defence Cooperation strengthening ties with other Defence forces. However, this is the first visit for Brig-General Barrera to Fiji after he was appointed Commander FANC on the 1^st of August 2019.

Brig-Gen Frank Barrera was accorded a “Quarter Guard” which was conducted by the Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) guards before discussions with RADM Naupoto. During the gift exchange Brig-Gen Franck Barrera presented the CRFMF with a framed enlistment document of the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna who joint the French Legion in 1914 during the First World War.

In addition to this, the patrol ship D’Entrecasteaux from the FANC also visited our shores earlier this morning also with the intent to strengthen ties with the RFMF. The ship which is labelled as the “Swiss Army Knife” of the Navy, performs law enforcement missions such as policing illegal fishing, search and rescue and more. Commanding the Patrol ship to our shores this morning Lieutenant (Navy) Luois Ballu who was also appointed commander for the D’Entrecasteaux.