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TONGANS JOIN I MEF FORCES IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE
Multi-National Force News Release ^ | July 4, 2004 | MNFI-MNCI

Posted on 07/04/2004 6:37:01 PM PDT by bunkerhill7

TONGANS JOIN I MEF FORCES IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Approximately 45 Royal Marines from the Kingdom of Tonga have arrived in Iraq to augment the I Marine Expeditionary Force in the Al Anbar Province, marking the first peacekeeping deployment for the Tongan Defense Service outside of the South Pacific.

"The 1st Marine Division welcomes the addition of the Tongan Royal Marines to our forces," said Col. Stephen Baker, the commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division -- the unit the Tongans will be augmenting. "We are thankful for their country's commitment to help us bring security and stability to the Iraqis in the Al Anbar Province and we look forward to working with them."

The Royal Marines are members of a ready reaction force and will augment existing security for the 1st Marine Division Headquarters at Camp Blue Diamond Main. The duration of their deployment is unknown at this time.

Tonga decided to join in the fight against global terrorism June 15.

Release #040704a


TOPICS: War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iraq; marines; terrorism
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big boys in town
1 posted on 07/04/2004 6:37:02 PM PDT by bunkerhill7
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To: bunkerhill7

Seeing some in rugby action, they're HUGE.


2 posted on 07/04/2004 6:41:39 PM PDT by cyborg
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To: bunkerhill7

For a country of only 100,000 this is a big committment. France, Germany, Russia -- What's your problem?


3 posted on 07/04/2004 6:43:29 PM PDT by farfromhome (Was Clinton a good president? That depends on what your definition of 'was' is.)
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To: bunkerhill7

I'm in Tonga, but FR doesn't have a flag for it. Lots of stuff going on here. A good source for info is:

http://www.matangitonga.to/


4 posted on 07/04/2004 6:44:59 PM PDT by pops88 (Geek Chick Parachutist Over Phorty)
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To: farfromhome

And they only joined the coalition TWO WEEKS AGO and they already have troops in country!! Outstanding!! Thank you Tonga!!


5 posted on 07/04/2004 6:55:51 PM PDT by BagCamAddict (ROPMA !! No words are sufficient to describe these EVIL people.)
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To: bunkerhill7
I have some friends who are native to a little island called Ponepe. (sp?) They're the decendants of headhunters and cannibals. Maybe we should send some of those guys.

The fact that there are headhunters in country won't shock terrorists much but the cannibalism thing might give em pause.
6 posted on 07/04/2004 7:03:07 PM PDT by cripplecreek (you tell em i'm commin.... and hells commin with me.)
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To: pops88
Here's the flag.


7 posted on 07/04/2004 7:10:41 PM PDT by BulletBobCo
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To: cripplecreek

Tongans eat dogs. Some people considere that almost as bad.


8 posted on 07/04/2004 7:13:26 PM PDT by pops88 (Geek Chick Parachutist Over Phorty)
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To: BulletBobCo

Now if it could only be put on the location list.


9 posted on 07/04/2004 7:15:08 PM PDT by pops88 (Geek Chick Parachutist Over Phorty)
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To: pops88

What are you doing in Tonga? I lived in Nadi, Fiji for 3 years when I was a kid.


10 posted on 07/04/2004 7:23:53 PM PDT by BulletBobCo
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To: BulletBobCo

Trying to move freight. Sadly, nothing moves quickly here with 'island time.'


11 posted on 07/04/2004 7:31:00 PM PDT by pops88 (Geek Chick Parachutist Over Phorty)
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To: farfromhome
For a country of only 100,000 this is a big committment. France, Germany, Russia -- What's your problem?

I think that explains it all.!!!!!

12 posted on 07/04/2004 7:32:56 PM PDT by Dick Vomer (liberals suck......... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.)
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To: pops88

Ive read that Bali operates on a concept of "rubber time".


13 posted on 07/04/2004 7:38:44 PM PDT by cripplecreek (you tell em i'm commin.... and hells commin with me.)
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To: cripplecreek
The fact that there are headhunters in country won't shock terrorists much but the cannibalism thing might give em pause.

That's what I was wondering. I don't know what they do for fun in Tonga, but if I was al Q'aeda, I don't think I'd behead one of them until I found out.


14 posted on 07/04/2004 7:40:59 PM PDT by Nick Danger (Bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay bow wow yippie yo yippie yay)
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To: Nick Danger

Just announce that the cannibals will serve as cooks for coalition troops.


15 posted on 07/04/2004 7:44:03 PM PDT by cripplecreek (you tell em i'm commin.... and hells commin with me.)
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To: cripplecreek

The Tongans would be great as cooks. They really know how to put on a spread.


16 posted on 07/04/2004 7:51:39 PM PDT by pops88 (Geek Chick Parachutist Over Phorty)
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To: pops88

The Tongans would be great as cooks.


I got a feeling Royal Marines have other ideas.


17 posted on 07/04/2004 8:06:02 PM PDT by philetus (Keep doing what you always do and you'll keep getting what you always get)
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To: bunkerhill7

This is great! Who needs the wimps of germany and the ever effeminate french?


18 posted on 07/04/2004 8:40:05 PM PDT by McGavin999 (If Kerry can't deal with the "Republican Attack Machine" how is he going to deal with Al Qaeda)
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To: pops88

How far is that from Samoa?


19 posted on 07/04/2004 8:47:44 PM PDT by I-53
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To: cripplecreek

Not only that but I do believe PIGS are highly esteemed creatures in those islands!;)


20 posted on 07/04/2004 8:52:55 PM PDT by Frank_2001
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