Fijian officials, honorary guests and local community members came together at the Nausori International Airport, Fiji, as part of the Defence Pacific Air Program’s (DPAP) VIP day.
The guests had the opportunity to participate in a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan familiarisation flight over the Fijian coast during their first two-week rotation to the region.
Government and military officials, including Australian High Commissioner Ewen McDonald, Fijian Minister of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua and Royal Fijian Military Forces Brigadier Onisi Covunisaga, attended the event, hosted to strengthen partnerships through the DPAP.
Addressing the attendees at Nausori International Airport, Mr McDonald, Minister Tikoduadua and dignitaries briefed the crowd on the mutual benefits of the arrival of the DPAP detachment into Fiji.
“The Australian government has endorsed efforts to improve Fiji’s national air capability in the security sector,” Minister Tikoduadua said.
“The C-27J provides a valuable building block to tackle threats, build a safer nation and a safer Pacific region.”
During the familiarisation flight, passengers had the chance to sit securely on the aircraft’s open ramp, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the stunning Fijian coastline at low-level altitude.
Mr McDonald said Australia was committed to further strengthening its relationship with Fiji.
“I see this as a great opportunity for this aircraft to be one of the tools that meet your priorities in the rotations that continue over this year,” he said.
