Engineering battalion prepares for exercise

MORE than 100 Australian Defence Force personnel arrived in Lae this week for a four-week joint exercise with the PNG Defence Force engineering battalion.
The visitors were welcomed in a small ceremony on Tuesday before a combined parade.
Engineering battalion commander Lt-Col Bruno Malau said: “This is the fourth Exercise Pukpuk to be held in Igam and the exercise focuses more on bilateral relationship and empowering that relationship with enduring training.
“Small engines course kicks off this week with combine medical and other training scheduled for next week.”
Australian contingent commander Major Chris Kukas said: “Our key focus is to support the engineer battalion, our partners.
“We’ve worked very closely for a very long time and we hope to continue that well into the future.”