Tonga, a Pacific nation, has dispatched its inaugural troops to Afghanistan, where they will collaborate with the British Military.
On Monday, officials announced the departure of the 55 soldiers for pre-deployment training in Britain, prior to commencing their 6-month assignment in Helmand Province.
This marks the first group of 275 soldiers that Tonga has pledged to send over a 2-year timeframe, following a request made by Britain.
Tongan forces were previously deployed in Iraq from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2007 until December 2008.