By: Netani Rika
TONGAN troops will join a regional training exercise in New Caledonia this week.
A platoon from the Tonga Defence Force was picked up from Fuamotu International Airport by French military aircraft.
The 30 soldiers will be part of Operation Croix du Sud (Southern Cross).
Troops from Fiji and Papua New Guinea will also take part in the exercise.
Commander of the Tongan Defence Services, Sione Ulakai, said the exercise would prepare troops to cooperate and work efficiently after natural disasters in the region.