8:00 AM
More than 100 Australian Defence Force soldiers have been congratulated and farewelled at the Port Moresby PNGDF Air Transport Wing at Jacksons Airport.
As a token of appreciation to acknowledged the support and the friendship both forces have developed during this 2017 election a small kaikai was put together.
Papua New Guinea Defence Force Chief of Operations Colonel Sialle Diro on behalf of the PNGDF Commander Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo said that PNGDF and the people of PNG are very grateful for the support the Australian Defence Force has provided.
“We are grateful for your support. You have started our democracy, created PNG Defence Force, created PNGDF Air Transport Wing and handed it over to us and now we are progressing. We are grateful to see you guys come back and help us in our journey,” said Colonel Diro.
Colonel Diro said that PNG is a land of thousand tribes and protecting this institutional democracy is one of the important activities our country enters into every five years.
In return, ADF Joint Task Force Group Commander Lieutenant Colonel Travis Gordon also thanked the PNGDF saying that it is was an honour to serve PNG; this election is one of the key National Events of Papua New Guinea.
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon said it was so great working with PNGDF and establishing new relationship and also catching up with our school mates and friends from the PNGDF.
Australian Defence Force Joint Task Force that was deployed to PNG has been very supportive in providing Logistical support to PNGDF and the security forces deployed in this election. They were deployed with a Royal Australian Air Force C130 (Hercules), ADF MRH90 Helicopters, B300 King Airs and C-27 Spartan Aircraft.
Their air capability has been helping PNG deploying troops and other elections tasking’s for a duration of three months in PNG. ADF Joint Task Force Group are from the 5th Aviation Regiment base in Townsville and Air Mobility Task Element from all over Australia.