Australian Defence Force (ADF)

The eruption has prompted a collaborative effort between Bougainville and Australia to deliver much-needed assistance to affected communities.

In a commendable display of cooperation, supplies including crucial hygiene kits, water containers, and essential household items have been swiftly transported to Buka by Australian Defence Force aircraft, namely the C-27 and C-130.

This year's honours and awards list pays tribute to 72 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, including 19 in the Order of Australia's military division and 53 for distinguished and conspicuous service, along with a recipient of the Public Service Medal.

Leading the list of honourees are the Chief of Navy, the highest-ranking woman in the Australian Army, and an exceptionally skilled aviator.

At the Australian International Airshow, Australia’s Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, and Papua New Guinea’s Chief of Defence Force, Major General Mark Goina, signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Implementing Arrangement to facilitate the delivery of two new PAC-750XL aircraft to the PNGDF in 2023. 

The two aircraft will increase the PNGDF’s sovereign aviation capabilities, which provide important services to the Government and people of Papua New Guinea. 

The ADF has more than 130 personnel and three aircraft operating from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Air Transport Wing (ATW) in Port Moresby to provide planning, logistics and air transport support. This has involved transporting PNG Electoral Commission material, as well as Joint Security Task Force members all across the country.

The delivery of these assets is through the Defence Corporation Program (DCP).

These assets will contribute to the overall safety of PNGDF personnel during the operations of the country’s National General Elections come April this year.

The presentation of these various assets further strengthens the Papua New Guinea-Australia Defence relationship.

The assets consisted of 1,000 sets of field equipment collectively known as a soldier combat ensemble and 3,000 sets of uniforms in the trial pattern according to the new breakdown by service.

The AUSMAT and ADF personnel arrived by C130J Hercules Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft in Port Moresby yesterday.

Australia will support Papua New Guinea efforts through aviation lift support to deliver emergency supplies, including pre-packaged personal protective equipment, medicines, and oxygen consumables to high priority provinces across PNG.

This support is part of a commitment made by Australia’s Chief of Defence to the Papua New Guinea Chief of Defence.

The augmentation team will join six other ADF personnel who will be tasked with assisting the PNGDF with planning, training and education for the PNGDF response to the current COVID-19 situation.

The 14 ADF personnel are scheduled to arrive in Port Moresby tomorrow, 27^th October, 2021.

The augmentation team when in Port Moresby will join six other ADF personnel and tasked to assist the PNGDF with the planning, training and education for the PNGDF response to the current COVID-19 situation.

In August this year, outgoing Contingent Commander, Major Peter Southern said in a media release that it was rewarding to know that Australia’s partnership with PNG responding to the COVID-19 crisis was helping to save more lives.

The equipment are a brand new Codon Radio Communication system and a DJ Phantom 4 drone that will be used by PNGDF for operational purposes.

The equipment was presented by the Head of Australian Defence Staff to Colonel James Kid, to PNGDF Chief of Logistics Colonel Albert Palawa.

Colonel Kid said the equipment is very important in their work, and is a sign of more and better cooperation initiatives to come from Australian Defence Force and PNG Defence Force.

The communications equipment will enhance the conduct of PNGDF training and operations with APEC 2018 being an obvious near term focus, all the while assisting with the rejuvenation and capacity development of PNGDF capability as a long term objective.

PNGDF Chief of Force Preparations, Colonel Siale Diro, said this is a game changer for PNGDF.

The communication equipment are inclusive of;