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