Cadets will walk Kokoda Track

 By PISAI GUMAR

DEFENCE Force cadets from Igam, in Lae, will walk the Kokoda Track as part of a six-week training.

They will walk Kokoda as part of military history exercise after a stint at Goldie River, in Port Moresby.

The cadets flew to Goldie on Monday after completing a field exercise called Iron Fist at Situm in Morobe.

Instructor Major Velmoore Kagena said the objective of the exercise was to test cadets on their ability to command, lead and manage troops in a defensive operational environment.

“Cadets operated on the mountain jungles of Situm to develop defensive position by digging battle pits and trenches to fight the enemy that were deployed to attack Lae city,” Kagena said.

He said the training was physically demanding because the cadets operated throughout the nights and days. 

“A few days of heavy rain complemented the training and challenged the ability of the cadets physically and mentally to operate in such environments,” Kagena said. 

Medical staff deployed to assist during exercise were kept busy attending to minor illnesses and injuries. 

They treated people in communities in Labuta. “The initiative to provide medical support to civilians was part of the exercise. It was to thank locals for allowing the use of their land for training purposes.”

The Australian Defence Force Cooperation Programme provided ammunition, food rations, fuel and other items.