Papua New Guinea / PNG
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Oceania
Oceania defense force appointments highlight growing interoperability
FORUM Staff A series of historic firsts are accelerating initiatives to deepen interoperability among Allies and Partners as Oceania defense forces pursue shared national interests. In October 2024, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Maj. Gen. Hugh McAslan was named Australia’s deputy chief of joint operations, the highest-level posting of a foreign military officer to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), according…
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Departments
Making History
FORUM Staff Photos by AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE DEPARTMENT As the son of a Soldier, and with a desire to explore the world beyond his island nation, Boniface Aruma embarked on what might be seen as a natural career path. Nearly 30 years after joining the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), however, the latest destination on Col. Aruma’s professional journey could not…
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Oceania
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…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Australian, island nations’ police to respond to Blue Pacific emergencies
FORUM Staff A new multinational police force based in Australia will provide security for Blue Pacific nations while also serving as a deterrent to the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) push to embed itself with law enforcement agencies in the region. The $271 million Pacific Policing Initiative, underwritten by Australia, includes a new training facility in Brisbane and up to…
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Partnerships
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea strengthen defense ties with training, border security initiatives
Gusty Da Costa Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are progressively enhancing their defense relationship, underscoring a shared commitment to regional stability and mutual security. This growing partnership is characterized by educational exchanges, joint border security initiatives and a broader geopolitical alignment within the Indo-Pacific. Indonesia recently opened its military schools to young officers and cadets from PNG to enhance…
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Oceania
U.S. delegation’s Papua New Guinea visit reinforces growing bilateral relationship
FORUM Staff A host of United States military and civilian officials visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) in July 2024 to reinforce the nations’ Defense Cooperation Agreement. The three-day stay assured PNG of the U.S. commitment to help bolster its economy, humanitarian endeavors and defense initiatives, among other efforts. Australia and the U.S. signed bilateral security pacts with PNG in 2023.…
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Northeast Asia
Allies, partners enhance all-domain readiness with military exercises across Indo-Pacific
FORUM Staff More than 30 allied and partner militaries deployed personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, uncrewed vehicles and other assets across the Indo-Pacific in mid-2024. The multinational, near-simultaneous exercises Pitch Black, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and Valiant Shield stretched from Oceania and the Western Pacific to Northeast Asia. Tens of thousands of troops joined the all-domain training to build interoperability…
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Oceania
Papua New Guinea Air Force joins 19 others in Australia’s Pitch Black exercise
Reuters One of the world’s newest air forces took part in exercises alongside stealth fighter jets as the Pacific Island nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) boosted defense ties with Australia and the United States. PNG trainee pilots queued for takeoff with U.S. F-22 Raptor and Australian Joint Strike Fighter jets in northern Australia in the 20-nation Pitch Black drills.…
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Oceania
Southern Jackaroo enhances combat readiness, strengthens multilateral ties
Australian Defence Department Nearly 2,300 troops from Australia, Japan, Papua New Guinea and the United States recently conducted military exercises in Australia to enhance warfighting interoperability, strengthen international relationships and improve combat readiness. The Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade deployed to the Townsville Field Training Area and Ingham, both in Queensland, for the trilateral Exercise Southern Jackaroo with Japan and the…
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Global Commons
HADR training, exercises with U.S. support PNG’s response to deadly landslide
FORUM Staff Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and other emergency personnel responding to a devastating landslide incorporated techniques and expertise honed during regular training and exercises with United States military and other partner agencies. Meanwhile, aircraft and other assets from the U.S. and Indo-Pacific Allies and Partners transported disaster management experts, relief supplies and search-and-rescue equipment to the remote…
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