30 June 2016

Chief of Defence Force to Visit Fiji

The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Tim Keating, is in Fiji today and tomorrow holding a counterpart visit with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

“The visit is an opportunity for me to hear first hand what Fiji’s defence priorities are and to discuss defence and security co-operation opportunities,” says LTGEN Keating.

“I will also be interested to hear how Fiji’s recovery and rebuild is progressing following the devastating Tropical Cyclone Winston.”

The New Zealand Defence Force was heavily involved in the response to the cyclone earlier this year, sending our biggest peacetime deployment to the Pacific, involving ships, aircraft and over 500 defence personnel to aid with the response effort.

During his visit LTGEN Keating will meet his counterpart, Commander Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto.

He is also scheduled to make calls on a number of government ministers, including Minister of Defence, National Security and Immigration Timoci Natuva.

During his visit LTGEN Keating will lay a wreath at the Suva Military Cemetery cenotaph where a number of NZDF personnel are buried alongside Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel.

ENDS

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