Operation Flashpoint - Andrew Hughes Boys - Part 6

In late 2006, a foreign power set in motion a chain of events that would have culminated in the invasion of Fiji. Codenamed Operation Flashpoint, the ADF deployed its sea-borne and air assets to positions inside Fiji waters within striking distance of the capital Suva. Additionally, elite Special Forces infiltrated the country with communications equipment and weapons.

 

How close did we come to being invaded? Who among us who encouraged this act of aggression against their own country?

 

This is a fictional account of what may have happened in the days leading up to one of the most dramatic chapters in our history.

 

 

Andrew Hughes had established the TRT as counter balance to the FMF's firepower. The word was that he was working closely with elements in the Fijian Govt to obtain military assistance to keep the army inside its barracks.

 

We arrived in Suva that same night. It normally takes 4 hours to travel from Nadi to Suva (speed limits are not strictly enforced in Fiji) but it took us a fair bit longer.

 

Queens Highway snakes along the western coast of the main island and it was a great opportunity for us to collect data on possible LZ's and transport network choke points.

 

We 'rested" at the unprotected Korolevu airport and the runway at Deuba. Just a bunch of Aussie blokes having a smoke.

 

Both these points are almost directly North from Kadavu where we knew the HMAS Newcastle and Kanimbla would maintain a holding position before the Go was given.

 

We used our comm. equipment to send short messages to test the equipment and log the two LZ's.

 

The next day we acquainted ourselves with the TRT and took a drive around Suva.

 

Strategic points that would have to be secured when the Go-Ahead was given had to be surveilled. The TRT boys drove us around in their twin cabin Toyota Hilux pick-ups.

 

I don't know if its all the rain or what it is , but the road never seem to get any better. The road to Nausori Airport was harrowing as the vehicle weaved in and out of traffic and narrowly avoided missing both pedestrians and other vehicles. The boys told me that it was one of the best rides they ever had.

 

The driver had consumed several buckets of Fijis traditional drink, kava the night before and was just a tad too much in the happy zone for my liking.

 

In Australia, anyone under the influence of such sedatives would be deemed unable to drive, but in Fiji it is normal to consume copious amounts of Kava and drive. No wonder the death toll on Fijis roads runs into the hundreds every year….to be cont.