The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has officially commenced its one-week Initial Planning Conference (IPC) for Exercise Bougainville 2026 at the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service (FLIPS) in Nasese. RFMF Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai inaugurated the conference, marking a crucial milestone in preparations for this significant brigade-based exercise.
The primary goals of Exercise Bougainville 2026 are to enhance interoperability, boost operational readiness, and reaffirm Fiji’s dedication to both national and regional security. Colonel Penioni Naliva, Chief of Staff for the Land Force Command, emphasized that the exercise will rigorously evaluate essential brigade functions encompassing operational planning, coordination, resource management, intelligence, logistics, and communication systems.
“The brigade headquarters serves as a crucial integrator of leadership and systems necessary to direct the brigade as a unified force,” said Colonel Naliva, underscoring the importance of teamwork for mission success.
Additionally, the exercise sets a foundation for relationship building, improvement of operational systems, and identification of developmental gaps, which will prove beneficial for government entities and regional collaborators. Commander Kalouniwai highlighted the IPC as “the cornerstone of multi-agency and whole-of-society cooperation,” operating under the theme, “From strategy to action: defending Fiji’s people, borders, and future.”
The conference is set to conclude on Friday, paving the way for subsequent tabletop exercises and the main planning conference to take place at Black Rock Camp in Nadi. This initiative promises to bolster Fiji’s defensive capabilities and foster cooperative security efforts within the region.