Vanuatu Mobile Forces
| Vanuatu Mobile Forces | |
|---|---|
 Flag of Vanuatu Mobile Forces | |
| Active | 1980 |
| Country | Vanuatu |
| Agency | Vanuatu Police Force |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Astrophile Mwele |
| Website | |
| Vanuatu Mobile Force | |
The Vanuatu Mobile Forces (VMF) is the paramilitary wing of the Vanuatu Police Force. A small, mobile corps of 300 personnel equipped with small arms, should Vanuatu be attacked, the VMF will act as the first line of defence.[1] In 1994, VMF deployed 50 people to Papua New Guinea, as their first peacekeeping mission.[2]
Though the armed forces in Vanuatu have never overthrown a government, members of the VMF angry about their pay detained President Jean-Marie Léyé and Deputy Prime Minister Barak Sopé on October 12, 1996 but released them just a few hours later.[3]
List of commanders
[edit]- Colonel Ian Arthur Naunton Cook (1980–1984)
- Sato Kilman (1984–1986)[4]
- James Aru (?–?)[5]
- Colonel Seule Takal (? - 1996 - ?)
- Lieutenant Colonel Harold Thompson (? - 1999 - ?)
- Lieutenant Colonel Apie Jack Mari Kempo (? - 2002 - ?)[6]
- Joshua Bong (? - 2004)
- Lieutenant Colonel Willie Vira (2004–2010)[7][8]
- Lieutenant Colonel Aru Maralau (2010–?)[7]
- Lieutenant Colonel Job Esau (?–2015)[9]
- Colonel Robson 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
[edit]Infantry 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. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ "History". Vanuatu Police Force. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ "Vanuatu (1980-present)". Dynamic Analysis of Dispute Management (DADM) Project. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ Isno, Vira (20 January 2015). "Members of Parliament". Republic of Vanuatu. Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ "2007 Vanuatu report urges police revamp". Radio New Zealand. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ "Defense & Foreign Affairs Handbook". Perth Corporation. 2002.
- ^ a b "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 from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ a b Joshua, Jane (27 November 2015). "Colonel Iavro lands top VMF job". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ Willie, Glenda (16 November 2019). "Iavro's appointment as Acting Police Commissioner extended". dailypost.vu. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ McLearnon, Ryan D. (17 July 2024). "Ceremonial Exchange of Possible WWII Remains". Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ "Vanuatu Police Force". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ "Vanuatu Daily Newspaper". modestclub.com. Archived from the 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.
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