His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF)
His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) is the military of Tonga. It is composed of three operational components and two support elements (logistics and training groups).
The mission of HMAF is to: Defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Tonga.
The HMAF is partially supported by defence cooperation agreements with Australia, United States, China, India and New Zealand. The co-operation aims at capacity development through training of HMAF personnel in leadership, academic and trades while support for infrastructure development is another part of the security co-operation.
In recent years, members of HMAF have supported Coalition of the Willing in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
His Majesty's Armed Forces are organised in a unified command system. It consists of three forces: the Regular Force, the Territorial Force, and the Active Reserve Force.
The main elements of HMAF are:
His Majesty's Armed Forces HQ
Joint Force HQ
Tongan Royal Guards
Land Force
Tongan Navy
Training Command
Air Wing
Support Unit
Territorial Forces
Military age 18
Conscription None
Available for military service 34,254 males, age 16-49 (2010 est.),
32,974 females, age 16-49 (2010 est.)
Fit for military service 27,404 males, age 16-49 (2010 est.),
28,509 females, age 16-49 (2010 est.)
Reaching military age annually 1,448 males (2010 est.),
1,392 females (2010 est.)
Tongan
Air Force
Tongan
Army
Tongan
Navy
Tongan Air Wing
The first attempt to create an Air Wing for the TDS occurred in 1986 when a Victa Airtourer light aircraft was obtained, but this aircraft never flew in Tongan service and was quickly re-sold. On 4 May 1996, a second attempt to create an Air Wing was more successful. A Beech 18 was taken into service for Maritime Patrol and Search & rescue duties. The Air Wing operates in close cooperation with the Maritime Force and is sometimes referred to as the Maritime Force Air Wing. In 1999 a Citabria was acquired to help with pilot training of the tailwheel configured Beech 18.
Ref: aeroflight.
Equipment
Tongan Land Component
The Land Force is organized into three elements - Tonga Royal Guards, Royal Tonga Marine and the Combined Log and Tech Support unit. The Land Force provides important assistance to national progress and promotes and maintains capabilities in carrying out the interest of the Kingdom of Tonga.
In military operations the Land Force is able to respond militarily to limited minimal and low-level emergencies, assist the Navy in carrying out limited maritime operations, provide beneficial military training, and carry out ceremonial duties. In its non-military activities, the Land Force carries out civil defence roles, conducts technical projects, establishes communication (radio) networks, and conducts technical trade training.
Ref: globalsecurity
Equipment
Tongan Maritime Force
The Tongan Maritime Force is the main arm of the Tonga Defence Services (TDS).
The TDS was founded on 10 March 1973 by King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, who also commissioned the first craft on that date. The first craft was VOEA Ngahau Koula (P101), followed by VOEA Ngahau Siliva (P102) — the names mean Golden Arrow and Silver Arrow respectively. They were manned by volunteers, but are no longer in service.
The Royal Tongan Marines is a single Battalion with an HQ and Support Company and 3 Light Infantry Companies, based at Fuaʻamotu.
Maritime Aviation Wing based at Fuaʻamotu International Airport.
Ref: shipshub.