Aussie choppers leave PNG shores

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 17th July, 2012

By JUNIOR UKAHA
FOUR Australian Defence Force Black Hawk helicopters used in election operations in the country left our shores yesterday.
They were packed at Jackson International Airport in the morning and loaded onto a C-17 Globe Master airplane and flown to Australia.
They follow three other New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopters that left last week.  
Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish, who was there to farewell the helicopters and their pilots, said the helicopters and their crew had achieved their mission.
He said the commitment and professionalism displayed by the troops involved in the election security operations spoke a lot about the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen thanked the Australian soldiers, saying without their help the election would not have been possible.
“Your support is very significant,” he said.
“I thank you Black Hawk helicopter pilots. You were always receptive to our requests,” Trawen said.
Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force Col Andrew MacNab thanked their PNG counterparts for the use of the hanger facility at the airport.
He said what had been displayed by the soldiers involved in the operation was commendable.
Since their arrival on June 15, the helicopters were based in Milne Bay, Northern and Central and flew 300 hours, carrying election officials and materials to remote areas.