Army exercise brings in new developments

By BARNABAS.MALKEN of PNGDF Media Unit

A joint exercise by Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Australian Defence Force this year will see a new instructor’s resident being built and renovations of PNGDF facilities.
This was revealed during the launching of Olgeta Worrior and Exersise Pukpuk at PNGDF Training Depot at Goldie Barracks yesterday in Port Moresby.
The new building will accommodate training instructors to train next recruiting soldiers to be selected to train in Goldie next year.
A combined parade was held in Goldie in the morning by members of Australian Defence Force Engineers and Papua New Guinea Defence Force Engineers who flew in from Lae Igam Barracks to officially open the exercise.
The project had started this week with new housing block foundation being started and upgrading of the Barrack’s Aid Post and Officers Mess. The exercise will take about six week and will end in October.
Olgeta warrior exercise is normally done by PNGDF and ADF engineers while Exercise Pukpuk is a training exercise done by infantry battalions of PNGDF and ADF and is expected to begin at the end of this week.
The exercise was officially opened by the Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Francis Agwi and Head of Australian Defence Force in PNG Colonel Mark Shepard.
Brigadier Agwi thanked the members of Australian Defence Force for coming up to PNG during this busy time of the year to work with PNGDF Engineers.
In supporting Colonel Sherperd‘s statement Agwi also urges members of ADF to work together with PNGDF to overcome working difficulties in PNG which is sometimes difficult unlike Australia which is very easy.
Colonel Mark Sherperd was also very impressive and said that its good they have came to PNG to work together and understand each other as PNG is Australia’s closest neighbour and is very important.
Both members of the force were welcomed into Goldie Barracks by the traditional land owner dancers of Koiari.

Koari Dances welcoming both forces into the gates of Goldie Barracks.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Australian Defence Force soldiers on parade.

 

Work begins for the new building by both members of the force.

  

Commander Agwi and his senior officers inspecting the place where sewerage tank of the new building was laid. Background is the building which soldiers are working on setting the foundation of the building.

  

Renovation work in progress at the Goldie Aid Post.