Tonga was one of the very first countries to pledge its support to the Global War on Terror. It quickly signed Article 98 and was the first nation in the Pacific to sign all twelve counter-terrorism conventions in 2003.

From June to December 2004, Tonga committed its first contingent – 46 of its 500 troops – to the Global War on Terror in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A second contingent of 55 troops served from September 2007 to March 2008. Most recently, from March to September 2008, a third contingent of 55 troops was assigned to the Coalition.

Tonga originally established a liaison team at U.S. Central Command on 16 May, 2003. The current Senior National Representative is CDR Uaisele Fifita.

LINKS:

(i) Government’s home page:  http://www.pmo.gov.to

(ii) Defence:  http://www.defence.gov.to