Defence force ship to be decommissioned after 45 years

The National National
Pictured is the PNG Defence Force ship HMPNGS Salamaua.

A PNG Defence Force ship, HMPNGS Salamaua will be decommissioned tomorrow after more than 45 years of service.
The PNGDF is expected to give the Salamaua (call sign Lima 31) a full military send-off to mark her decommissioning from active duty.
A traditional singing group from Salamaua in Morobe is expected to be there to take the name and the spirit of the ship back to where it belongs.
The Salamaua was commissioned into the PNG Defence Force on Nov 26, 1974, after being decommissioned by the Royal Australian Navy on Nov 14, of the same year.
She was named after a battle in Salamaua in September 1943, during World War II.
Her decommissioning will be remembered as one of PNGDF’s national assets which contributed much to the country’s development and assisted in the formation of the PNGDF maritime element.
The decommissioning was initially scheduled for April 17, but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and state of emergency.