The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) recently took part in the 2025 Exercise Croix du Sud, a biennial civil-military training event organized by the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia. This exercise is known as one of the largest disaster response simulations in the Pacific, aimed at enhancing coordination among defense and emergency services across the region.
A significant development in this year’s iteration was the exercise’s first-time expansion to Wallis and Futuna. This expansion represents the largest deployment of defense personnel to these islands since World War II, highlighting an increased focus on regional cooperation to support remote island communities that often face unique vulnerabilities during humanitarian crises.
The Fijian contingent included a full platoon and several staff officers who engaged in simulated operations on Futuna Island. These exercises involved tasks such as infrastructure protection and community access assessments, designed to mimic the aftermath of a tropical cyclone scenario marked by substantial infrastructure damage and isolated populations.
Throughout the event, RFMF personnel collaborated with military forces from Australia, France, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, Tonga, and other Indo-Pacific nations, fostering interoperability and underscoring Fiji’s growing commitment to regional disaster preparedness.
Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, Commander of the RFMF, visited the troops on Wallis and Futuna and commended their professionalism. He emphasized the significance of such exercises in enhancing both operational capacity and international military relationships. “Exercise Croix du Sud provides an invaluable platform for building interoperability, mutual trust, and operational readiness,” Kalouniwai remarked, reaffirming Fiji’s dedication to humanitarian operations and enhancing defense partnerships throughout the Pacific.
The deployment not only served as a practical training ground for junior officers in complex, multinational settings but also aligned with Fiji’s national strategy aimed at bolstering disaster response capabilities amid the challenges posed by climate change and increasing weather-related risks.
This participation in Exercise Croix du Sud showcases the RFMF’s proactive approach to enhancing its operational skills and readiness, reflecting a hopeful commitment towards building a resilient future in the face of humanitarian challenges, particularly those arising from natural disasters in the region.
Continuing efforts like these, coupled with training initiatives with partners such as Australia and Japan, reinforce Fiji’s crucial role in both regional security and international peacekeeping endeavors. The growing emphasis on collaboration and training across nations provides an optimistic outlook for a secure and cooperative future in the Pacific region.
Leave a comment