Engineering battalion celebrates anniversary

The National National
PNG Defence Force Commander Maj-Gen Gilbert Toropo (right) and his Australian counterpart Maj-Gen Justin Ellwood attending the engineering battalion company’s 45th anniversary church service at Igam Barracks yesterday. – Nationalpic by LARRY ANDREW

THE engineering battalion company based at Igam Barracks in Lae, Morobe, yesterday celebrated its 45th anniversary.
PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) Commander Maj-Gen Gilbert Toropo and Australian Defence Force (ADF) Maj-Gen Justin Ellwood were the main guests who celebrated with other personnel from both forces.
Maj-Gen Toropo said the engineering battalion was a crucial unit of the PNGDF focused on nation building and had carried tasks in this regard over the years making it one of the force’s busiest units.
He said the celebration was held with a ‘Green River’ dinner.
“We call it a Green River dinner because the battalion first started at the Green River airfield. It was one of the first projects ever constructed by the battalion in Green River (West Sepik). They’ve come a long way and we’re so proud of this unit because it was established to assist our people in construction of roads and repairs and maintenance of health centres and schools throughout country,” Maj-Gen Torop said.