Defence Force air transport wing commemorates 42nd anniversary

THE Defence Force air transport wing held a parade last week witnessed by military officers from PNG and Indonesia to mark its 42nd anniversary.
Defence Force commander Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo said the air wing played
an integral part in the force’s operation.
Toropo said the resilience of some of the members of the air transport wing had brought the wing to where it was today.
He said that on Aug 11, 1975, two DC-3 aircraft were flown in by PNGDF pilots to Jackson Airport. On Aug 12, the air logbook was handed over to the PNGDF to mark
the setting up of the Air Transport Wing.
“Air element is the centre of the defence organisation and is established by our Constitution, the Defence Act of 1974, and therefore it will continue to remain an integral part,” he said.
“Air transport capability development and support to any defence organisation is a highly technical capability.
“During pre-independence, no one was educated to understand the technical aspect of air frame capability. But I commend the pilots and technical men especially Papua New Guineans who
brought the air element to where it is now.”