Australian and New Zealand forces have joined with the Pacific Infantry Regiment – New Caledonia (RIMaP-NC) for a land component exercise with joint interactions. Named Tagata Toa 24, this exercise has three components: operational preparation, cooperation and interoperability, and remembrance.
Operational preparation: Generic combat exercises will mix combined arms and joint manoeuvres in an operational framework. Previously, units will have learned to know each other and developed their interoperability. The capabilities of the Air Base (base aérienne 186) and the Navy Base (Base navale de Nouméa) will help make the exercise as close as possible to the reality of an operational commitment. The objectives of Tagata Toa 24 are multiple: to train combat units in their generic expertise; acculturate them to the joint environment; integrate two Australian and New Zealand platoons.
Cooperation & Interoperability: The RIMaP-NC will host two detachments of almost forty soldiers each, 37 from Australia and 34 from New Zealand. This exercise goes beyond training the Infantry Battalion: it concretises the FANC willingness to cooperate with regional partner forces. This exercise thus extends, at the tactical level, the good operational cooperation implemented in emergency operations in assistance to disaster-affected populations in case of natural disaster.
Remembrance: The invited contingents took part in ceremonies organised in New Caledonia to mark ANZAC Day. This commemorative part of Tagata Toa 2024 is of particular importance to the Australian and New Zealand partners, and is a major annual event in their countries, and wherever France and United Kingdom honour their memory too. On this occasion, the crew of HMS TAMAR, in port in Noumea, took part in the ceremonies.
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