SUVA, U.S. Embassy Fiji – U.S. representatives delivered dive equipment valued at $95,000 USD to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) during a handover ceremony at Stanley Brown Naval Base today. The distribution of equipment is part of a larger train-and-equip project valued at $1.7 million USD. RFMF Deputy Commander and Chief of the Fijian Navy, Commodore Humphery Tawake, received the dive equipment while Defense Attaché, Commander Victor Lange, represented the United States at the event.
Chargé d’Affaires (CDA), Miriam Elise Tokumasu de Silva said “The United States remains an ally to Fiji. We look forward building a stronger partnership between our nations through cooperation, including maritime, port, and aviation security.”
The equipment includes SCUBA and surface-supplied-air dive systems that will further Republic of Fiji Navy (RFN) capabilities to conduct a range of operations, including marine salvage and recovery of submerged ordnance. In addition to the equipment, the U.S.-funded program will send 3 to 4 RFN members per year to basic and advanced dive training in the United States. Two sailors will be departing on October 19, 2021 as the first RFN members to attend this training.