Tonga Defence Services The Tonga Defense Services ( TDS ) is the armed force of Tonga . It is composed of three operational command components , two support elements ( logistics and training groups ) . The mission of the Tonga Defence Services is to : " Defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Tonga . The TDS is partially supported by defense cooperation agreements with Australia , United States , China , United Kingdom , India and New Zealand . These Security Cooperation aim at capacity development through training of TDS personnel in leadership , academic and trades while support for infrastructure development is another part of these Security Cooperation . In recent years , members of the TDS have supported Coalition of the Willing in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands . Organization . The Tongan Defense Service is organized in a unified command system . It consists of three forces ; the Regular Force , the Territorial Force , and the Active Reserve . The three main component units of the Regular Force are the Land Force , Support Tongan Defense Service , and Navy . Components . The main elements of the Tonga Defence Services are : International Defense Organizations . The TDS is a member of the following international defense organisations : History of Tonga Armed Forces . Tonga participated in World War I , as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force . The Tonga Defense Force ( TDF ) came into existence at the beginning of World War II in 1939 . In 1943 New Zealand helped train two Tongan contingents of about 2000 troops , who saw action in the Solomon Islands . In addition , New Zealand and US troops were stationed on Tongatapu , which became a staging point for shipping . At the end of World War II , the TDF was disbanded , but was reactivated in 1946 . Former Prime Minister Prince Lavaka Ata ' Ulukalala joined the naval arm of the Tonga Defense Service in 1982 and became Lieutenant - Commander of the defense force in 1987 . From 1990 to 1995 he commanded the PPB VOEA " Pangai " and his time in charge included peacekeeping operations in Bougainville . In 2002 , TDS soldiers were deployed as part of a multi - national regional peacekeeping force in the Solomon Islands . In July 2004 , a 45 - member contingent of the TDS served in the Solomon Islands . A third contingent was sent in July 2005 . This contingent consisted of 33 TDS troops , and was expected to remain four months . In March 2003 Military to Military talks began between Tonga and the United States about Tonga providing troops for the Multinational force in Iraq . Support arrangements were finalized in May 2004 . 45 Royal Tongan Marines led by the Chief of Defense of the Tonga Defense Services , Colonel Tau ' aika ' Uta ' atu , departed Tonga on 13 June 2004 . From July 2004 , the Royal Tonga Marines were augmenting the 1st Marine Expeditionary Forces ( MEF ) in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq . The Royal Marines supported the 1st Marine Division ' s security and stabilization mission at Camp Blue Diamond . Tonga first served with the 1st MEF on the Solomon Island during World War II . The Royal Tongan Marines returned from Iraq in December 2004 . In 2006 , TDS soldiers , in cooperation with local police , were deployed to deal with the Nuku ' alofa riots . In December 2008 , the Tonga Defence Services ended their mission in the Iraq War and returned home . In 2010 , Tongan troops began training with the RAF Regiment , in preparation for operations in Afghanistan ; the first troops deployed to Afghanistan during February 2011 . Tonga ' s military size is approximately 500 troops , half of which were sent to fight the War on Terror .