A glimpse into PNGDF Signal Hill

ELECTION 2022

By ALEXANDER NARA
IT was around 5pm.
A bird with a brilliant flash of yellow danced upon a nearby branch as I dragged my bony frame up PNGDF Signal Hill at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby.
The sun was heading towards its usual resting place behind Brigadier Hill and heat hung about everywhere.
Sweat licked its way crookedly down my aging spine, like the crooked road leading uphill as I slowly walked uphill.
Few young Acacia and Melaleuca gum tress crouched over the roadside but lacked the needed comfort.
The bird with a brilliant flash of yellow chirped and danced through the branches, stopped, turned and stared then darted through the trees.
A wet map formed at the back of my shirt as I watched her glide through the loops amid the leaves towards the clearing at the top of the hill.
Hidden by low branches, the green painted building that nest PNGDF Joint Operations Branch (Job) stood clear against the afternoon skylight.
I am not at liberty to tell what goes on inside for its doors are usually restricted.
In recent weeks, operational plots were devised and execution strategies conceived behind those closed doors as PNGDF prepare for 2022 National General Elections (NGE).
Two companies were inserted ahead into specific areas of Highlands region with high risk areas identified and pinned down under PNGDF surveillances.
I picked up pace and followed the bird with a brilliant flash of yellow up the road.
Chief of Defence Force Major General Mark Goina said PNGDF deployment is part of government’s overall approach in providing a free, fair and safe 2022 NGE.
“We will be there to deliver impartial support to Police and Electoral Commission. We are there to make sure all citizens exercise their rights to vote without fear or duress and that election processes remain transparent,” Goina said.

He said PNGDF has a bigger mission to God, Queen and Country with call of duty to serve and protect its citizens.
The bird with a brilliant flash of yellow had disappeared as I continued uphill.
Streams of light from afternoon skylight spilled through the young canopies, casting shapeless glows under the trees.
The roadside seemed unkempt in a neat way, speckled with fallen colored leaves.
Few Job staff, perhaps rostered for evening watch hurried about at the hilltop.
Logistics, supplies and necessary equipment have been moved to respective locations with specialists, and liaison officers already on ground in area of operations to prepare for troops’ insertion.
Chief of Job Colonel Michael Banda said main task force base would be in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands with the second setup to be in Lae, Morobe province.
Banda said Mt Hagen will monitor entire highlands region while Lae will coordinate efforts of troops in Momase and New Guinea Islands regions with support from the Navy boats.
I finally arrived at the top of the hill in a personal record time, beating the nicotine world book of records.
Cold breeze swept in from Taurama Valley, as if sent to dry those crooked sweat along my aging spine.
The bird with a brilliant flash of yellow was nowhere to be seen.
The Job building, first opened on July 23rd 2005 by the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, stood to one side of the carpark.
If you ask me what they do, I would have no idea. But in layman’s terms, Job consists of specially trained microscopic eyes that watches over PNG’s sovereignty.
It can be seen as unto an oven that bakes the cream of all PNGDF deployments.
With writs being issued a week ago, Banda had reiterated that core objective of PNGDF is to deliver a free and transparent voting environment during 2022 NGE.
He confirmed that ship routes and ports of entries across the country have been locked in and Her Majesty’s ships are prepared to assist police and electoral commission.
My two lovely legs whined for recognition but I ignored them as I strolled across the car park, heading towards the door of the building.
Force Support Battalion (FSB), known as the landlord of Murray Barracks, flexed his muscles around the foot of the hill and across 2-Mile way.
On the other side, the National Flag swayed calmly in the breeze overlooking PNGDF headquarters.
Banda quietly visited PNGDF’s Basilisk Naval Base Last Friday to check and chat with sailors before the ships set sail.

He also stepped onboard HMPNGS Rochus Lokinap and Lakekamu for short briefs with commanding officers as part of troops’ preparations.
However, what they discussed remains as white foams upon waves of seas to guide them through the seas.
Participating personnel from all units across the Force have been warned to wait out for their operational orders from the Job.
It is believed the actual dates of main body deployment is known only to the bird with a flash of yellow.
I stopped and search the swaying branches for her.
Few birds flew past, heading towards I do not know where but she was not among them.
They say birds have wings of flight that never amiss, sing songs never written and danced to steps never taught. The winds had gone gusty and the sun seemed to have decided to hurry home.
Behind Brigadier Hill, few stars had appeared early and the sun, on his way home, had painted the sky with tinges of black, red and yellowish glows.
I stared at the flag again swaying calmly against the evening sky.
The five stars of Southern Cross, black and red like the sky behind Brigadier Hill.
I was about to walk away when I realize I missed something in the above sentence.
Something dancing amid the red and above them all.
The bird with a brilliant flash of yellow.

• Alexander Nara is the PNGDF Public Relations Officer