PNG Defence Force

2018 intent for PNGDF

These are; the establishment of the Joint Service College, the development of the forward deployed Combat Services Support Teams and progress in gender integration.

PNGDF Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, said the JSC heralds the start of greater integration with the sister security sector partners, police and correctional service.

3 years of APEC preps for PNGDF

PNGDF Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, says he is satisfied with the preparations so far.

“We’ve been through and had the support of the Australian and New Zealand Defence Force to train and prepare our special forces groups.”

This also includes the ongoing activities that the PNGDF conducts with its bilateral partners that additionally built and prepared the organisation.

Toropo said the Force has had manpower posted into the Joint Taskforces Security office that is currently on full time.

Toropo on PNGDF budget cut

PNGDF Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, says regardless of that, the Force understands what the government and the whole country is going through with the effects of falling commodity prices in the world market.

He said it is unfortunate that there is nothing anyone can do.

Commander Toropo said what the Force will do as a defence organisation is to realign its priorities to make sure its core activities are maintained.

“One of our core activities is to ensure that our border patrols are maintained and supported,” he said.

White paper policy a major PNGDF task

PNGDF Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, said this during their end-of-year mass in Port Moresby.

Commander Toropo said in 2014, when teh White Paper was launched, certain priorities were set which brought the force together when the defence white paper was launched.

“Apart from the four core tasks of the white paper policy, one of the most important tasks was to implement the policy and that is a huge task.”

This saw the downsizing of manpower from 5,000 to 2,000.

He enunciated to staff and soldiers present that the tasks have not changed.

Commander’s final 2017 walk

The commander’s walk has been part of the PNGDF activity all throughout the year as well as one of the major activities of the force.

It is a monthly activity that takes place every first Friday of each month which sees the participation of the PNGDF commander with his entire branch heads and staff.

The PNGDF final walk concludes the physical training activities for the operational year of 2017.

The commander’s monthly walk provides the opportunity within the force to promote PNGDF’s fitness policy by demonstrating leadership in maintaining their own fitness level.

Regiment closes ‘Exercise Pukpuk’

The battalion hosted the 3rd Combat Engineers Regiment for the Exercise Pukpuk 2017.

Commanding Officer for the 1RPIR, Lieutenant Colonel Boniface Aruma, explained that Exercise Pukpuk is an annual exercise between the Australian and PNG Defence Forces.

The exercise sees engineers from the ADF deployed to various PNGDF establishments to engage in infrastructure development and skills training.

Congratulations to all teams

10 teams from different barracks and units in the country converged upon Murray Barracks to battle it out in the biannual event.

The tournament was played using the rugby 10s format.

“We all came together to show the spirit of comradeship and being together in showing the colours of unity. Thank you and congratulations to all the teams. Well done,” said Numa.

Numa also gave thanks to God for the success of the three-day tournament.

Troops to be deployed to SHP

This follows the killing of two police officers during the weekend in what was believed to be an election-related incident.

The reinforcements will also assist in the detection and arrest of the murder suspects.

A team of police investigators, including police forensic officers, are currently in Wabag. They are investigating the July killing of policemen. After that they will travel to Southern Highlands to reconstruct the crime scene.

Commissioner for Police, Gari Baki, confirmed this when speaking to media yesterday.

Minister to visit all PNGDF bases

In its 9th year, it was created to play the support role, dealing with all logistical issues of the Force.

The Force Support Battalion also has its fair share of challenges, as it thrives to support all elements of the PNGDF.

The visit by the Defence Minister, Solan Mirisim today was welcome by many personnel.

The Minister said he has made it his business to visit all Military Facilities to see first-hand their challenges and plan how his department can assist address some of the issues.

No issues between forces: Baki

Baki who is also the JSTF Commander said this in relations to questions on the history of clashes between the police and military and how this could have an impact under the JSTF.

“I do not think this similar kind of behaviour will be projected in this kind of arrangements. I don’t for one minute want for people to think that yeah you get them out and this is how they behave. No they won’t,” Baki said.