Aust defence ship here to build relations

AUSTRALIA’S HMAS Choules deployed on a month-long activity for maritime and land training with Australian regional partners in the Southwest Pacific arrives in Port Moresby today.
According to Australia High Commission, HMAS Choules, an amphibious landing ship, departed Townsville on Feb 19 for Papua New Guinea.
The Commanding Officer of HMAS Choules, Commander Scott Houlihan, said the deployment provides an opportunity to contribute to long-standing relationships and enduring engagement with Pacific Islands nations.
Australian Defence Force personnel are on HMAS Choules for a month of engagement and training with regional partners and other government agencies in the Southwest Pacific.
“The HMAS Choules deployment to Port Moresby and Manus province in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu is part of a continued Australian presence in the region,” Houlihan said.
“Papua New Guinea is the first stop and highlights our ongoing contribution to the Pacific following a recent visit by
HMAS Wollongong, an Armidale class patrol boat, and the commissioning of the Guardian-class patrol boat HMPNGS Ted Diro.
“We welcome the opportunity to build on these activities by strengthening ties with our Papua New Guinea Defence Force colleagues.”