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PNGDF Engineering
Battalion celebrates 31 years
By THOMAS KILALA
The soldiers we often see constructing roads, bridges, school
classrooms and other buildings throughout the country are
members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Engineering
Battalion based in Lae, Morobe province.
The battalion is currently involved in Exercise PukPuk alongside
their Australian Defence Force counterparts at Igam Barracks
refurbishing the area theater, gymnasium and the water
reservoir.
On September 1 this year the Battalion celebrated its 31st
birthday with a parade, mumu and a dinner dance at Igam
Barracks.
Before the occasion a Green River Dinner was hosted on August 29
with the Defence Force Chief of Staff Navy Captain Alois Ur Tom
as the guest of honour.
Navy Captain Tom thanked the engineers for their excellent
contribution during the National Elections and also during the
visit by the United States Navy ship Peleui to Madang.
The PNG Defence Force Engineer Battalion was raised on the
September 1, 1966 and evolved from the early days of Assault
Pioneer Platoons in the Pacific Islands Regiment to Independent
Construction Troops and in 1976 to a PNG Engineering Company the
forerunner to the present Battalion.
The Green River Civic Action Project inclusive of an airfield
and a road from Green River to Amanab in the West Sepik province
started in 1975 and was completed in 1977 ahead of schedule
despite formidable conditions and record rainfall.
The road was a major link in the planned highway joining
villages along the western PNG/Indonesian border.
The current Defence Force Engineer Battalion was raised during
the execution stage of the Green River Project, a project that
required both technical know-how and toughness of character from
all who worked on it.
The Green River Project surpassed anything done before it in the
PNG Defence Force and it served to remind the Defence Force
planners of the capabilities of this newly raised Engineer unit
in the PNG Defence Force.
Over the last 31 years the Battalion has completed over 500
substantial projects which have varied both in complexity and
the challenges they have presented to the Sappers of the
Battalion.
Commanding Officer of the Battalion Lt Col Carl Wrakonei said it
was therefore fitting that a dinner commemorating the raising of
the Battalion be named the Green River Dinner, a name that
should remind us all of where we came from and what sappers can
achieve.
"Each year we gather to celebrate the raising of the Engineer
Battalion and we must also reflect on the Green River Project
and the example it gave to us as well as the lesson that was
learnt.
"The dinner this year is the sixth one staged in Igam Barracks
after the Engineer Battalion was relocated from Port Moresby.
The pace this anniversary dinner sets will continue on as an
inspiration to all sappers", Lt Col Wrakonei said.
The engineers have completed re-decking the Mubi Bridge in
Kutubu, Southern Highlands province while another patrol is
working on the Baiya road in Western Highlands.
 
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