CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – A contingent of 55 Royal Tongan Marines traveled from their tiny South Pacific island to help support the efforts of Regional Command Southwest’s mission in Afghanistan.

Although a small country, with a population of just over 100,000, the Tongans have a large mission here over the next six months.

“Our mission here is force protection. We man the main entry point, we do the entry control point tasks, quick reaction force task and patrol in Camp Bastion,” said Royal Tongan Marine Lt. Tomaakino Tuitavuki. “We deny the insurgents from coming into Camp Bastion.”

In preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan, the Royal Tongan Marines prepared extensively for their mission here.

“We did patrol training. Both mobile and foot patrols,” said Tuitavuki. “Not only that, we did urban training as well, house clearing.”

The Royal Tongan Marines relationship with U.S. Marines is not a new one. The two countries can trace their ties back to World War II.

“1941 through 1945 the Royal Tongan Marines were attached to 1st Marine Division fighting in Guadalcanal, and since then we’ve been working with the Marines until today,” said Tuitavuki. “Every time we train, we normally train with the U.S. Marines, and we are proud of the Marines. We call the Marines our brothers.”

The deputy commander of Regional Command Southwest, U.K. Brigadier George Norton, welcomed the coalition partners with the raising of the Tongan flag.

“I would like to welcome you all as our seventh nation within our very small, but elite and illustrious coalition here,” said Norton. “I know that as both Marines and as members of the commonwealth you will fit very naturally and comfortably within our organization, and we as Americans, British and other members of the coalition are absolutely delighted to have you with us.”

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