TheVanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) is a small, mobile corps of 300 volunteers that makes upVanuatu's military. Its primary task is to assist theVanuatu Police Force. However, should Vanuatu be attacked, then the VMF will act as the first line of defence.[1] In 1994, VMF deployed 50 people toPapua New Guinea, as their first peacekeeping mission.[2]
| Vanuatu Mobile Force | |
|---|---|
 Flag of Vanuatu Mobile Forces | |
| Active | 1980; 45 years ago (1980) |
| Country | Vanuatu |
| Agency | Vanuatu Police Force |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Astrophile Mwele |
| Website | |
| Vanuatu Mobile Force | |
Though the armed forces in Vanuatu have never overthrown a government, members of the VMF angry about their pay detained PresidentJean-Marie Léyé and Deputy Prime MinisterBarak Sopé on October 12, 1996 but released them just a few hours later.[3]
List of commanders
edit- ColonelIan Arthur Naunton Cook (1980–1984)
- Sato Kilman (1984–1986)[4]
- James Aru (?–?)[5]
- ColonelSeule Takal (? - 1996 - ?)
- Lieutenant ColonelHarold Thompson (? - 1999 - ?)
- Lieutenant ColonelApie Jack Mari Kempo (? - 2002 - ?)[6]
- Joshua Bong (? - 2004)
- Lieutenant ColonelWillie Vira (2004–2010)[7][8]
- Lieutenant ColonelAru Maralau (2010–?)[7]
- Lieutenant ColonelJob Esau (?–2015)[9]
- ColonelRobson Iavro (2015–22 October 2019)[9][10]
- Lieutenant Colonel Kalshem Bongran (22 October 2019–?)acting
- Colonel Astrophile Mwele (?-present)[11]
Equipment of Vanuatu Mobile Forces
editInfantry weapons
| Name | Image | Origin | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beretta 92[12] |  |  Italy | Semi-automatic pistol | Standard sidearm |
| Sterling submachine gun |  |  United Kingdom | Submachine gun | |
| FAMAS[13] |  |  France | Assault rifle | Standard issue |
| L1A1 SLR[14] |  | United Kingdom | Battle rifle | Used in training |
References
edit- ^"Vanuatu Mobile Force".Vanuatu Police Force. Retrieved12 September 2018.
- ^"History".Vanuatu Police Force. Retrieved12 September 2018.
- ^"Vanuatu (1980-present)".Dynamic Analysis of Dispute Management (DADM) Project. Retrieved10 September 2022.
- ^Isno, Vira (20 January 2015)."Members of Parliament".Republic of Vanuatu. Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu. Retrieved12 September 2018.
- ^"2007 Vanuatu report urges police revamp".Radio New Zealand. 22 March 2011. Retrieved12 September 2018.
- ^"Defense & Foreign Affairs Handbook". Perth Corporation. 2002.
- ^ab"New Commander for Vanuatu paramilitary police force".RNZ. 13 September 2010.
- ^Admin (22 January 2010)."VANUATU SECURITY FORCES HEAL RIFT THROUGH".Pacific Islands Report. Pacific Islands Development Program. Archived fromthe original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved12 September 2018.
- ^abJoshua, Jane (27 November 2015)."Colonel Iavro lands top VMF job".Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved12 September 2018.
- ^Willie, Glenda (16 November 2019)."Iavro's appointment as Acting Police Commissioner extended". dailypost.vu. Retrieved13 November 2023.
- ^McLearnon, Ryan D. (17 July 2024)."Ceremonial Exchange of Possible WWII Remains".Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific. Retrieved21 August 2024.
- ^"Vanuatu Police Force".www.facebook.com. Archived fromthe original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved24 January 2020.
- ^"Vanuatu Daily Newspaper".modestclub.com. Archived fromthe original on 4 November 2013.
- ^Under the gun : the small arms challenge in the Pacific. Victoria University Press in association with the Peace and Disarmament Education Trust. 2003. pp. 63–66.ISBN 978-0864734532.
