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Lieutenant Colonel Kagena Selected for Prestigious US-Pacific Rising Leaders Fellowship

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Lieutenant Colonel Velmoore Kagena of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force has been selected as one of two representatives from Papua New Guinea to participate in the esteemed US-Pacific Rising Leaders Fellowship program. The program will take place in Washington, DC, from September 30 to October 18, 2024.

This fellowship, announced by the White House during the September 2022 U.S.–Pacific Island Country Summit, aims to empower mid-career public service professionals from Pacific Island nations.

The second cohort is set to welcome up to 32 participants to the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) for a three-week leadership development experience.

The fellowship is a collaborative effort between Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Department of State.

Participants were chosen following a public call for applications and recommendations from regional governments and experts, with final selections made by a panel convened by Johns Hopkins University, in partnership with the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and U.S. missions in the region.

Lt Col Kagena, who hails from Central Province, Gavuone Village in Abau, and Malati Village in Kanosia, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity.

“I decided to apply for the program after seeing the advertisement online,” he stated.

Currently serving as the Director of the Incident Response Group, he previously held the position of Officer Commanding of the Long Range Reconnaissance Unit. With 25-years of experience, he has excelled in various capacities in both training and operational roles, both domestically and internationally.

An accomplished military professional, Lt Col Kagena is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Australia.

His academic credentials include a Diploma of Personnel Management from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Business and Management (Professional Studies) from the University of Papua New Guinea, and a Master of Military and Defence Studies from the Australian National University. He is also a recent alumnus of the Australian War College in Canberra and the Asia Pacific Centre for Strategic Studies in Hawaii.

Looking ahead, Lt Col Kagena is eager not only to explore Washington DC but also to enhance his professional military education and forge valuable connections with fellow participants, lecturers, and facilitators during the program.

This fellowship presents a unique opportunity for him to further his leadership skills and contribute to the development of effective public service in the Pacific region.

“Establishing networks and building mutual relationships with the other Fellows from the Pacific Islands countries to collaborate in addressing the complex security and development challenges faced by our respective countries in the Oceania region”, says Lt. Col Kagena.

As Papua New Guinea continues to strengthen its ties with global partners, Lt Col Kagena’s participation in this prestigious program underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering leadership and collaboration in the Pacific Island community.

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ADF’s Role in Recent Exercise

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ADF's Role

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/

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France Visit

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France Visit

The Papua New Guinea Defense Force has hosted a brief visit of Commander in Chief of France Armed Forces in New Caledonia, Brigadier General Yann Latil to Port Moresby.

In a security meeting with PNGDF acting Commander, Commodore Philip Polewara and Defence minister, Dr. Billy Joseph, both countries discussed on humanitarian support and disaster relief exercises.

A similar meeting held with Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko and Fisheries Minister, Jelta Wong expanded into measures of minimizing illegal fishing.

As this is the first visit, The French Commander in Chief toured few military barracks including a brief visit to the Air Transport Wing near Jackson’s airport and Basilisk Nasal Base at Konedobu.

France Brief VIsit
France Brief Visit

His tourend included a stop over at the Bomana War Cemetery outside port Moresby where he laid a wreath to remember the fallen soldiers.

The Defence relationship between PNG and France reached new security height when both nations signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) in 2023.

Related: https://insidepng.com/france-president-visit/

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Exercise Pukpuk Concludes

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Exercise Pukpuk

Exercise Pukpuk was conducted at the PNGDF Lombrum Naval Base, in Manus. Concluding with the completion of a three in one classroom, road and electric works done at houses at the naval base.

Conducted for the first time at Lombrum Naval Base, the annual engineering exercise brought together PNG Defence Force members from the Engineering Battalion and the Australian Defence Force; Townsville 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment and members of the British Army.

Supplied Picture

PNGDF Commanding Officer for Lombrum, Buni Dorea spoke highly of the joint efforts by all three defence forces.

“Most of the works being completed are repairs and maintenance around the school and married quarters. And there are lots things to be done here. To have Australians here, especially on [Exercise] Pukpuk, has grown the relationship and made it stronger. This is the way forward to have a good partnership,” said Commander Dorea said.

Australian Army Captain Helena Sorial described the joint exercise as a rewarding experience.

“The best part is working with the PNGDF, in their country, experiencing their culture, and doing real-time tasks. When you go overseas on holidays you often skim the surface of understanding a place and its people. But we get to interact, see how the people live, how they work, and complete the work with them, ” said Captain Sorial.

Exercise Pukpuk

The repair works include, tradies repaired stairs, decking, roads, and made-safe electric wires in the Married Quarters. And also a renovated classroom for children of Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) members posted to the base.

CO Dorea said the joint exercise created the solution for school children to not be moving around during the rainy season and children won’t be disturbed from their lessons.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/pacific-partnership-in-moem/

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Four PNGDF Pilots Qualify

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PNGDF Pilots

Four pilots in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force have qualified as the pilots, loadmasters and maintenance personnel for the recently gifted PAC 750 aircrafts.

The up-skilling of these airmen follows the Defence Corporation Program between PNGDF Air Element and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) through the Flights of Excellence Program.

Part of this program includes the recent acquisition of two new PAC 750 aircrafts by the PNGDF Air element.

PNGDF Pilots Qualify
PAC 750 Aircraft.

Commanding Officer of PNGDF’s Air Transport Wing, Nancy Wii said the future looks bright for the air element.

“Five years we had a Pac 70 aircraft in our hanger not knowing what to do. Our RAAF partners have come along, and Fenix 701 got airborne, Fenix 702 and Finex 703 ready to be airborne, our latest aircraft,” said Wii.

The acquisition of the new planes increases PNGDF’s aviation capabilities to transport a section for patrol along the land borders, maritime surveillance and provide humanitarian assistances during natural disasters.
It increases PNGDF’s PAC 750 fleet to three, following the Australian Defence Force’s support to remediate the PNGDF’s first PAC 750 in 2021.

PNGDF Pilots

Assistant Minister for Defence, Matt Thistlethwaite, said the addition of the planes supports regional security and protects the common interests of both countries.

“They will play an important role of delivering PNGDF’s long term goal of developing its sovereign aviation capability. As they are put to work, they will be supported by the joint Flights of Excellence Program,” said Thistlewaite.

PNG Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso while thanking the Australian Government said the PNG government has not supported the Air Transport Wing for a long time.

PNGDF Pilots
PNG Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso (left) and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite addressing the media.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/pngdf-welcomes-nuship-gilbert-toropo/

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Pacific Partnership

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Disaster Response

Pacific Partnership 2023 will focus on community education, knowledge exercises covering disaster response and humanitarian assistance in Port Moresby and Wewak.

The team is accompanied by a Japan Maritime Self Defence Force singer, who will perform in a variety of community engagements.

Arriving in the country, this week, Pacific Partnership is an annual deployment of United States Navy who work alongside governments in the area of humanitarian aid or preparedness towards disaster assistance.

Teaming up with Papua New Guinea Defence Force, the team from the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet will undertake missions in Port Moresby and Wewak, East Sepik Province.

PNGDF Chief of Force Preparations, Colonel Craig Solomon said PNG and the United States are bonded by a common interest to promote a stable and secure Indo-Pacific by working on readiness for potential hazards and responses.

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force is looking forward to collaborating with the U.S. Navy and our allies to conduct another successful round of Pacific Partnership,” said Colonel Solomon.

The US Navy are in the country at the invitation of Government, and features nearly 1,500 personnel, from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Returning to Port Moresby following last year’s visit to West New Britain, Pacific Partnership enables participants to work together to enhance disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships in Papua New Guinea.

Pacific Partnership Mission Commander ,U.S. Navy Capt. Claudine Caluori, said her team is keen to exchange knowledge, skills, and relations that will endure long after the mission departs.

“Pacific Partnership empowers nations to enhance their infrastructure and ability to respond to disaster emergencies,“ said Captain Caluori.

As part of the program for 20023, the mission team will conduct missions throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Island Countries.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/ready-for-work-pacific-australia-labour-mobility-palm/

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PNGDF Welcomes NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo

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Patrol Boats

The last of the four Guardian Class Patrol Boats gifted to Papua New Guinea Defence Force – Maritime Element has been handed over to the PNG Government.

PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki accepted the (NUSHIP) patrol boat in a ceremony at HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia.

NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo’s Crew in Parade.

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, said PNG and Australia are close friends with a long history of Defence cooperation.

“The Guardian-class Patrol Boat program is one of the most significant programs in support of our Pacific partners,” said Marles.

The NUSHIP which will be commissioned as HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo was designed and built by Australians in Australia.

This patrol boat joins Papua New Guinea’s other vessels Ted Diro, Rochus Lokinap and Francis Agwi as the 17th Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.

PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki, and Australian Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh cut the ribbon during the Handover Ceremony of the NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo.

The program is a 30-year commitment by the Australian Government to ensure uninterrupted engagement with our Pacific partners in support of a stable, prosperous, and secure region.

Australia’s minister for Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy said the commitment is part of Australia’s long-standing commitment to support its Pacific partners.

“The construction and delivery of these Guardian-class Patrol Boats by Australia’s world class defence industry offers increased capability to our Pacific partners,” said Conroy.

The inclusion of this patrol boat will extend PNG’s ability to protect its territorial waters and tackle shared maritime security challenges such as illegal and unregulated fishing.

Australia’s minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh said he was proud to deliver NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo.

“The Guardian Class Patrol Boats are critical assets that support Papua New Guinea’s maritime security operations, help to combat illegal fishing and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, contributing to the peace and prosperity of our region.”

Keogh emphasized that working together under the Pacific Maritime Security Program means we are well positioned to protect our collective maritime resources now, and into the future.

NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo’s Crew

Recent: https://insidepng.com/two-pngdf-sailors-trained-on-qi-jiguang/

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Two PNGDF Sailors Trained on Qi Jiguang

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PNGDF

Two Papua New Guinean Defence Force (PNGDF) Naval Officers are amongst 350 sailors, from the Chinese People’s Liberal Army, who sailed into Port Moresby onboard the Chinese Naval Training Vessel, Qi Jiguang.

Qi Jiguang sailed into the Fairfax Harbour and was welcomed by Chinese Ambassador to PNG, Zeng Fanhua, employees of Chinese owned businesses and the Chinese community.

The two PNGDF midshipman are part of Qi Jiguang’s internship training involving five countries including Indonesia.

The two PNGDF sailors have trained and lived onboard the training ship in the last month.

Chinese ambassador to PNG Zeng Fanhua said the naval training ship, Qi Jiguang is the largest professional training ship with the highest level of modernization.

“It is a maritime military academic which is capable for hosting more than 400 naval cadet officers for internship training and taskings,” said ambassador Fanhua.

Qi Jiguang was commissioned into China’s Navy in February 2017 and has been sailing the Pacific and Indian Oceans conducting training.

PNGDF

Speaking through an interpreter, Rear Admiral of Qi Jiguang, Zhu Jianda, said in celebrating the 74th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, Qi Jiguang set on the 4th of September from Quando to conduct training and goodwill visits to Indonesia, PNG and Fiji.

“Over 300 Chinese mission men carried out training with counterparts from five countries including PNG. During the training they had navigational training and professional training,” said Rear Admiral Jianda.

Rear Admiral Zhu Jianda addressing the crowd at the welcoming ceremony.

During the next three days, Senior officers from Qi Jiguang will be meeting with their counterparts in the PNGDF. The crew members will visit each other’s ships and both sides will be involved in fun sporting activities.

“All this activities are aimed at enhancing our mutual understanding, strengthen our mutual trust and deepen our friendship,” rear admiral Jianda continued.

PNGDF
Rear Admiral Zhu Jianda and PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki being escorted to the welcoming ceremony area.

Speaking on behalf of the PNG Government, Defence Minister, Win Bakri Daki said China remains a key development partner for Papua New Guinea.

“PNG and China’s relationship goes back a long way where PNG benefits a lot from China’s infrastructure and economic and human development assistance, “said Minister Daki.

PNGDF
PNG’s Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki official address to the visitors.

One such infrastructure is the reconstruction of a military hospital at PNGDF’s Taurama Barracks by the Chinese government.

This is it’s second goodwill visit into Port Moresby after Qi Jiguang’s initial visit in 2019.

Qi Jiguang will sail to Fiji after Port Moresby.

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PNG and US Defense Dialogue

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US PNG

A recently concluded Bilateral Defense Dialogue between PNG and United States concluded with Military Exercise, Capacity Building and Professional Military Education as top three agendas discussed.

From the discussions under,

  1. Military Exercises:
  • PNG and US highlighted the significance of joint military exercises to strengthen their Defense Capabilities and improve coordination between their armed forces.

-These exercises are poised to deepen military-to-military ties and enhance the readiness of their troops.

  1. Capacity Building:

-The United States and Papua New Guinea have committed to mutual capacity building by sharing knowledge and technology.

-Collaborative projects aimed at enhancing their defense infrastructure and capabilities will be a focal point of their partnership.

  1. Professional Military Education:

-In recognizing the importance of education in the military, both nations have unveiled plans for Professional Military Education.

-These programs will offer military personnel opportunities for advanced studies and specialized training, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

The discussions held at Murray Barracks on 11th September was between acting PNGDF Commander, Commodore Philip Polewara, deputy Defense Secretary Simon Tunapai and U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Thomas James.

Talks on this annual bilateral meeting is aimed at reinforcing and deepening partnership and commitment to fostering cooperation in defense between the two defense forces.

A practical example was the completion of a 10 day maritime patrol by two PNG ship riders on board US Coast Guard USCGC Myrtle Hazard.

The dialogue, was seen as an opportunity for both nations to jointly plan activities for the upcoming year.

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Polewara Asks for Cooperation

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Board of Inquiry

Branch Heads and Directors within the Papua New Guinea Defence Force have been called before the General Board of Inquiry (GBOI) into the shooting death of two soldiers, the wounding of another soldier and a civilian.

Acting PNGDF Commander, Commodore Philp Polewara said Commanding Officers are to assist the Inquiry when their members who participated in the final Corporal Qualifying Course are called before the GBOI.

The inquiry intends to identify issues and gaps in the system and make appropriate recommendations for the improvements in PNGDF to ensure that such tragedies do not occur again,” said acting Commodore Polewara.

When the inquiry was launched on 18th August 2023, Prime Minister James Marape announced the sidelining of then PNGDF Commander, Major General, Mark Goina.

Marape had said Goina’s suspension does not imply any wrong doing on his part and the decision to have Goina suspended was to protect the independence and integrity of the GBOI.

“To affirm the integrity of PNGDF and also the integrity of the Commander (Goina)NEC took a decision to suspend Commander (Goina) under Section 6 (3) B of the Defence Act 1974 for three months, or until such a time when the General Board of Inquiry delivers its findings.

But internal PNGDF investigations revealed that Leading Seaman, Eric Gwale and Corporal Watata Kutegen were killed by high velocity ammunitions fired from within 40 meters.

Three soldiers were identified, and one has confused to firing the live ammunitions because he had it in his possession.

While the inquiry continues, the family of late Eric Gwale have laid him to rest in his home province in New Ireland. Gwale is survived by his wife and three sons.

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