PNG Defence Force

This was part of the sergeants’ training to qualify the next lot of platoon commanders.

A mock assault was staged in the heavy downpour on Monday afternoon where a combat team was tasked to provide security to Lae Urban and take control of vital assets.

That was the scenario that was laid out for PNG Defence Force personnel in collaboration with the Lae Metropolitan Command and St John Ambulance.

Goldie Barracks Infantry Wing senior instructor, Lieutenant Daniel Kakawi, said the idea was to secure the polling venue during elections.

The Prime Minister made this announcement at the handover ceremony of the Casa aircraft engine earlier this week.

He stated that his government is in the process of restructuring the country’s Defence Force into a force that could assist in building the country with the assets and the infrastructure that is required.  

“Our own government will put in K50 million this year and next year to make sure our two aircrafts are working and flying and to ensure the helicopter is lifted.

PNG Defence Force Commander Major General Gilbert Toropo urged the officers to stay focus and always upheld their duties to serve the country.

“I want to say that this is a long journey we are taking since 2016 and the journey we took has been very good.

“However, in 2019, we were struck with COVID-19 and this has disturbed the way we were progressing.

“Your appointments are very challenging at this time,”

Toropo said the Defence Council and NEC had to go through a tough process to identify officers for these key positions.

This is PNG’s tenth case of COVID-19. She works at the PNG Defence Force at Murray Barracks but lives off-site in a shared accommodation. She was tested as part of the ongoing mass testing of the staff at the barracks following the announcement of the 9^th patient on June 20. Her positive PCR test result was received today from the Queensland Health Laboratory in Brisbane, Australia.

Prime Minister James Marape said the security and medical measures are being deployed to ensure the land border shared with Indonesia prevent traditional and illegal crossing.

The deployments are in line with the extended State of Emergency for two months in response to the growing number of COVID019 cases around the world.

Prime Minister Marape, said following the special Parliament sitting to extend the SOE, they have gone full steam into beefing up security and medical monitoring at the PNG Indonesian border.

Member for North Fly District, James Donald, during “question without notice” today in Parliament, told the Defence Minister that PNGDF personnel manning the border have been accused of killing the youth, whose body is now in the morgue.

They will be conducting tactical exercises outside Fairfax Harbour, Port Moresby, in line with their mission rehearsal exercises.

This morning will see teams perform drills in line with their training.

There are presently three teams out on the water with an observer team on Gemo Island.

Minister Mirisim said PNG Defence Force maintains zero tolerance towards violence and will work closely with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary for justice to prevail.

The Ear, Nose and Throat registrar was attacked at North Waigani by a PNG Defence Force soldier and his cohorts on May 19.

Dr Wahembari sustained trauma to his right eye, loss of vision and a fractured nose.

Yesterday (April 23) the media had another opportunity to raise more questions on the country’s security capabilities and arrangements.

They were assured that the support PNG is being given by international partners in this capacity continues to strengthen with every confidence PNG’s borders will be well taken care of come November.

Chief of Force Preparation with the PNG Defence Force, Colonel Siale Diro, made the assurance in the media briefing on APEC activities yesterday.

Following Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s orders for the PNGDF to initiate immediate response to the earthquake yesterday, PNGDF Chief of Staff, Colonel Raymond Numa, has confirmed the presence of troops on ground.

Col Numa said PNGDF personnel are stationed exclusively in Southern Highlands, Enga and Hela provinces, while the headquarters is based in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province.