The 2026 Exercise Tamiok Strike between the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the United States Army kicks off today.
The annual military exercise will include scenario-based staff exercises supporting PNGDF’s 2027 election security and logistics, bilateral field training in maneuver and military police stability operations, engineer civic action projects, health engagements, and religious leader exchanges.
Exercise Tamiok Strike was first held in August 2021 and the joint exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability, readiness, and partnership between the Papua New Guinea and United States.
This sixth iteration of the bilateral exercise involves 175 participants from both countries and aims to strengthen military-to-military relations and advance regional security. The various trainings will be conducted in Lae, Wewak and Port Moresby.
It is supported by the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s State Partnership Program, which has fostered enduring ties between the United States and Papua New Guinea since 2021.
Units from the US Army that will participate include:
- The 413th Combat Sustainment Battalion,
- 500th Military Intelligence Brigade,
- Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Infantry Brigade,
- 854th Engineer Battalion, 1984 Field Hospital, and the
- 9th Mission Support Command Chaplain Detachment.
Exercise Tamiok Strike demonstrates the shared commitment between Papua New Guinea and the United States on regional stability, mutual trust, and the ability to respond collaboratively to humanitarian and disaster-related events.
The program also includes cultural awareness activities and opportunities for community engagement.
The government of USA has invested in various PNGDF projects throughout the country. In 2025, the US Government pumped in over $61 million for the construction of two key facilities at the PNGDF Naval Base in Lombrum, Manus Province.
These two projects include the Small Boat Team and the Bosun facility and the establishment of the Regional Maritime Training Centre.
Conducted under the ongoing U.S. Papua New Guinea Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), signed in 2023, the Small Boat Team and Bosun Facility will provide operational space to support three PNGDF small boat teams, along with maintenance and storage for critical maritime equipment.
The Regional Maritime Training Center will offer modern classroom and administrative spaces and will support PNGDF-led training programs.
Unlike Exercise Wantok Warrior between PNGDF and Australian Infantry Battalions, Tamiok Strike involves PNGDF Force Support and Engineering Battalions, Department of Defence, USARPAC 8th Theatre Sustainment Command (8TSC), Institute for Security Governance (ISG) and the Australian Defence Force Corporation Program.
Other partners involved in Tamiok Strike include stakeholders who will participate in United Nations Development Program, National Disaster Centre and the PNG Red Cross Society.
PNGDF and US Navy have also signed a Ship Riders’ Agreement recently that allows PNGDF naval officers, PNG Customs officers and Immigration Officers to board US Naval vessels and patrol PNG waters.