Pacific Angel exercise enhances Papua New Guinean, U.S., partner nation disaster response capabilities
FORUM Staff
The Pacific Angel 2024 exercise in Papua New Guinea (PNG) strengthened the ability of the nation’s Defence Force (PNGDF) to respond to natural disasters. PNGDF personnel trained with their Australian, New Caledonian and United States counterparts in aeromedical evacuation (AE), public health and austere medicine to boost emergency response capabilities to save lives and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts across Oceania.
Lifesaving Aeromedical Evacuation
The PNGDF launched its AE program during Pacific Angel 2024. PNGDF personnel learned to stabilize and transport patients from remote areas during training led by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Janette Williford. Two weeks after the program’s establishment, the PNGDF conducted its first evacuation, transporting a snake-bite victim aboard its PAC 750 aircraft, donated by the Australian government.
“Establishing Papua New Guinea’s first aeromedical evacuation program was a remarkable achievement,” Williford said. “Seeing the PNGDF successfully transport [its] first patient just weeks after training was a testament to their dedication and adaptability. This capability will save lives in both routine and disaster scenarios, and I’m proud to have been part of it.”
The AE program enables the PNGDF to move patients quickly and safely, even from austere locations, greatly enhancing the country’s emergency response capabilities, Williford said.
Preventing Disease Amid Disasters
Pacific Angel also focused on public health training to include vector-borne disease control and tropical disease mitigation. The PNGDF improved its ability to track and prevent diseases such as malaria, which can spread rapidly after a natural disaster.
“Vector-borne diseases like malaria are a real threat in PNG, especially in the aftermath of a disaster,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Caroline Brooks, a public health officer and entomologist. “By enhancing surveillance and control measures, the PNGDF is now better equipped to protect both [its] troops and the civilian population.”
Brooks led the public health training with Royal Australian Air Force Flying Officer Maddie Armstrong.
Learning From Each Other
The austere medicine component of Pacific Angel focused on providing care in remote, resource-limited environments. PNGDF personnel enhanced field care and patient stabilization with limited medical supplies, a crucial skill given the nation’s challenging terrain and limited medical infrastructure.
“Training the PNGDF to operate in resource-constrained environments was critical,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Civiletta-Kalich, the training leader. “They’ve shown an incredible ability to adapt to their surroundings and stabilize patients with limited resources.”
U.S. and partner nation medical personnel also learned from PNGDF clinicians, who routinely provide care with fewer resources. The experience offered insights into improvisation and adaptability — lessons that will benefit U.S. and partner nation teams in austere deployments.
“We were impressed by the PNGDF clinicians’ ability to deliver high-quality care with minimal equipment,” Civiletta-Kalich said. “Their resourcefulness taught us valuable lessons in how to make the most of what’s available and still achieve excellent outcomes.”
A Regional Force for Good
Pacific Angel helped position the PNGDF to play a crucial role in regional HADR efforts. With newly acquired AE capabilities, enhanced public health surveillance and proficiency in austere medicine, the PNGDF can provide critical assistance to neighboring countries during crises.
“Working alongside the PNGDF during Pacific Angel has been an inspiring experience,” said Maj. Laura Postel, an emergency physician with the New Caledonian Armed Forces. “The collaboration in aeromedical evacuation, public health and austere medicine has strengthened their ability to respond to emergencies.
“It’s clear that the PNGDF is developing the skills necessary to become a key player in regional disaster response, and I’m confident they’ll continue to grow as a vital resource for Oceania,” Postel said.
“PNGDF has immense potential to become a regional player in HADR efforts,” said Maj. Michael Yim, the lead U.S. medical planner for Pacific Angel. “With their growing capability in aeromedical evacuation and disaster response, they will be able to assist other Oceania countries during contingencies. This exercise showed us that PNGDF’s capacity to provide meaningful support is advancing rapidly.”
As PNG continues to develop its military and medical capabilities, the long-term benefits of Pacific Angel 2024 will extend far beyond the nation’s borders. With enhanced disaster response abilities, the PNGDF will be a key player in HADR operations, offering critical support across the Pacific, Yim said.
“The exercise is a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership in building resilience and readiness to face future natural disasters, and it proved to be a mutual learning experience for all involved,” he said.