Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit

First Meridian Squadron
Cap badge of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Active1987[1]-2000
CountryFiji
BranchArmy
TypeSpecial forces
RoleClose protection
Counter-Revolutionary Warfare
Counter Terrorism
Special operation
Unconventional warfare
SizeOne squadron. Around 80 men after establishment[1]
Part ofRepublic of Fiji Military Forces
Garrison/HQSuva
Commanders
Colonel-in-ChiefPresident of Fiji
Notable
commanders		Ilisoni Ligairi[2]

The Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit or CRWU was the common name for the First Meridian Squadron, the unit's formal name, which had been disbanded in 2000.[3] It was the only tier one special forces group of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, and was the brainchild of former Military Commander and former Prime Minister, Major-General Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka.[4][5]

The unit had gained notoriety in Fiji for being involved in the Fijian 2000 coup d'état and the subsequent court martial of the renegade CRW soldiers involved, as well as being accused of attempting to assassinate Frank Bainimarama after he took power by overthrowing the illegal, civilian, Fijian government that took power from Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry in the 2000 Fijian coup d'état.[6] Its founding officer Ilisoni Ligairi had also gained notoriety alongside his unit for participating in the mutinies.[7]

  1. ^ a b The main figures in Fiji's continuing crisis. Archived 14 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  2. ^ Fijian coup colonel took part in SAS blunder. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  3. ^ "Fiji military denies setting up new elite special force". RNZ. 12 February 2003. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Fiji military places former PM Rabuka under surveillance". Radio New Zealand International. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  5. ^ From Fiji to Fallujah: The war in Iraq and the privatisation of private security. Archived 14 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 22 September 2008.
  6. ^ Accused in Fiji court over plot to kill regime leaders. Archived 20 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  7. ^ Fiji uprising. Retrieved 22 September 2008.