The Samoan Government made history as the first Pacific island country to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October.
At Samoa’s request, Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) 1117 deployed ships from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom under a combined maritime group.
The CJTF consisted of Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Choules and ADV Reliant, Royal New Zealand Navy’s HMNZS Canterbury and the Royal Navy’s HMS Tamar.
Commander of the task force, Commodore Paul O’Grady, said Choules made a successful contribution to the Samoan-led event.
“HMAS Choules provided accommodation and hospitality for Pacific police officers, as well as transport for them from the ship to Apia – via 290 small boat ‘ferry trips’ – so they could support CHOGM,” Commodore O’Grady said.
“We appreciate the trust Samoa placed in us during CHOGM, and we were honoured to contribute to the Pacific family security for the event.”
Samoan Police Maritime Wing officer Constable Fetuao Nuuvali was on board Choules.
During the event, she worked side by side with the Royal Australian Navy in support of maritime security tasks, bringing her maritime experience from operating on Samoan Guardian-class patrol boat Nafanua III.
Constable Nuuvali’s time on board the ship provided the opportunity for her and the Choules sailors to learn from one another.
“Working with the Royal Australian Navy was a really good experience. There is such a high standard of skill, which helps me develop my maritime operations,” she said.
“Working with the Aussies has been fun and I’m looking forward to taking back what I’ve learnt to our patrol boat.”
CHOGM is a biennial meeting hosted by different Commonwealth countries on a rotating basis. This was the first CHOGM for His Majesty King Charles III in his capacity as Head of the Commonwealth.
