PM BAINIMARAMA VISITS FIJIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Captain (Navy) John Fox takes over as Acting Chief of Staff HQ Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
He replaces Brigadier-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai who left for Australia yesterday for further studies. Captain Fox is currently the RFMF Director Force Development. He will be responsible for both roles.
Captain Fox joined the naval division in 1987 and rose through the ranks. He held the rank of Commander Navy in April 2011 until his promotion to Captain in the Fiji Navy in 2015. This is similar to the rank of full colonel in the army. Captain Fox is also a former Chief of Navy. He held the post before he took study leave to complete his Masters in Defence Studies at the National University of Malaysia.
Captain Fox had completed his officer training in Australia and New Zealand. He also attended officer training courses in the United Kingdom and Staff College in the United States of America.
Meanwhile, chief-of-staff Land Force (COS LFC) is now being held by Major Vatimio Leva. He replaces Lieutenant-Colonel Silipa Druavesi Vananalagi. Lieutenant-Colonel Vananalagi is understood to be the first Fijian female officer to hold the position of Chief Military Personnel Officer UNDOF HQ.
Other RFMF officers who have held the same position over the years include Lieutenant-Colonel Isoa Loanakadavu, Captain (Navy) Humphrey Tawake and Lieutenant-Colonel Pacolo Luveni.