Vanuatu Mobile Forces
Paramilitary police force
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| 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 | |
History
In 1994, VMF deployed 50 officers 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
- 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
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 |
