The Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea has responded to social media users’ questioning a joint exercise between the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) and the PNG Defence Force’s First Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1RPIR).
In a statement released by Australian Authorities, Australian Defence Advisor to Papua New Guinea, Colonel Travis Gordon said the training in question is a continuation of a long history of cooperation between ADF and PNGDF that stretches back decades.
“1 RAR’s travel to PNG is the first rotation this year of the longstanding Olgeta training series, focused on activities to enhance PNGDF capability and capacity. Planning for this rotation commenced in August 2023,” said Col. Gordon.
Following the announcement of a team from ADF’s 1RAR preparing to travel to Papua New Guinea, many social media users questioned the role of the Australian Army in PNG.
Thus the head of the Australian Defence Force in country says the trainings is part of the longstanding Defence ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea, the ADF regularly deploys Mentor Training Teams to work alongside the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
“The partnership between the ADF and the PNGDF plays a vital role in the broader relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea,” Col Gordon explained.
These teams deliver training and activities with the PNGDF on a rotational basis, returning to Australia upon completion of their training activities.
The 1 RAR’s deployment to PNG is only for the purpose of participating in the next Mentor Training Team activity.
Related: https://insidepng.com/exercise-pukpuk-concludes-pngdf-lombrum/
