Vanuatu Mobile Forces

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.

History

In 1994, VMF deployed 50 officers to Papua New Guinea, as their first peacekeeping mission.

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.

List of commanders

• Colonel Ian Arthur Naunton Cook (1980–1984)
• Sato Kilman (1984–1986)
• James Aru (?–?)
• Colonel Seule Takal (? - 1996 - ?)
• Lieutenant Colonel Harold Thompson (? - 1999 - ?)
• Lieutenant Colonel Apie Jack Mari Kempo (? - 2002 - ?)
• Joshua Bong (? - 2004)
• Lieutenant Colonel Willie Vira (2004–2010)
• Lieutenant Colonel Aru Maralau (2010–?)
• Lieutenant Colonel Job Esau (?–2015)
• Colonel Robson Iavro (2015–22 October 2019)
• Lieutenant Colonel Kalshem Bongran (22 October 2019–?) acting
• Colonel Astrophile Mwele (?-present)

Equipment

Infantry weapons

References