Fiji Infantry Regiment
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The Fiji Infantry Regiment | |
---|---|
Active | 1920–Present |
Country | Fiji |
Branch | Army |
Type | Line Infantry |
Role | Light infantry |
Size | Six battalions |
Part of | Republic of Fiji Military Forces |
Garrison/HQ | RHQ – Suva 1st Battalion – Suva 2nd Battalion – Sinai 3rd Battalion – Suva 4th Battalion – Nadi 5th Battalion – Lautoka 7th/8th Battalion – Vanua Levu |
March | Cori Mada Na Noqu Salusalu |
Engagements |
|
Commanders | |
Colonel-in-Chief | President of Fiji |
The Fiji Infantry Regiment is the main combat element of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. It is a light infantry regiment consisting of six battalions, of which three are regular army and three are Territorial Force. The regiment was formed with the foundation of the Fijian armed forces in 1920. The regiment, as it is today, goes back to 1978 following Fiji's independence. The Royal Australian Infantry Corps and Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment conduct yearly training seminars and exercises with the Fiji Infantry Regiment
Regular Force
- 1st Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment: The 1st Battalion was originally raised in response to the request by the US Forces deployed in the Pacific theatre during the Second World War for operations in the Solomon Islands. The Battalion left Fiji in 1943 and saw action in Guadalcanal, Kolombangara, Bougainville and other parts of the Solomons. The Battalion spent 17 months overseas before returning to Fiji in 1944. They were then redeployed overseas during the UNMIS mission in Sudan.
- 2nd Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment: The 2nd Battalion was formed in 1982 when it converted from a TF unit. It has been deployed with the Multinational Force and Observers mission on the Sinai Peninsula ever since.
- 3rd Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment: The 3rd Battalion was formed in 1982 as a TF unit to replace the 2nd Battalion following its deployment to Sinai. It became part of the regular force following the 1987 coups. It is the largest of the three regular battalions, and has two main responsibilities:
- Providing fresh troops for deployment with the 1st and 2nd battalions.
- Maintaining the territorial defence of Fiji, specifically for the main island of Viti Levu.
Territorial Force
Each of the three battalions in the territorial force exists as a single regular infantry company, all of which come under the operational command of the 3rd Battalion. However, all of these can be augmented to full strength with the addition of TF volunteer companies as needed. All of these units were formed following the 1987 coups and the conversion of the 3rd Battalion to regulars:
- 4th Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment: The 4th Battalion has responsibility for the defence of Nadi airport and the surrounding area.
- 5th Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment: The 5th Battalion has responsibility for the defence of the area around Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Vatukaula and Ra.
- 7th/8th Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment: The 7th/8th Battalion was formed by the amalgamation of the 7th and 8th Battalions, and is responsible for the defence of the Vanua Levu region.
History
The Fiji Infantry Regiment in its current form traces its history back to the
With the US entrance to the war, the US sought a forward training area and resupply base to serve as a potential line of defense against the Japanese sweep through the Pacific. Fiji geographically and logistically was the best location. In June 1942, the 37th Division in its entirety had established a base of operations throughout Fiji. With the arrival of US forces, it was decided to relieve the NZDF and place the Fiji Defense Force under US control. The shift of power was completed on June 30. The Fiji Defense Force saw extensive use throughout the war, and after the
With the Fijian independence in later years, the 1st Battalion was reactivated, this time under the control of the independent government of Fiji. In 1978, with the UN resolution to establish the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (
References
- ^ Goldstone, Paul. "Ronald Arthur Tinker". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "No. 36774". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 November 1944. pp. 5016–5017.
- ^ Kanishk KANISHK, Major Chauhan. "Mornings would not be the same..." (PDF). Golan the UNDOF Journal. 140 (July - September 2014): 12. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ Sorovi, Jese (29 April 2017). "RFMF Enhance its peacekeeping capability" (Press release). Republic of Fiji Military Force. Retrieved 27 July 2018.