Former navy officers recall time on board Buna

FOR three men, the decommissioning of the landing craft HMPNGS Buna brought back memories of the time they served on board.
The ship was decommissioned on Friday, tied near the HMPNGS Lakekamu to await her farewell.
HMPNGS Buna, commissioned on Nov 26, 1974, has clocked up more than 4,500 hours of service and covered more than 40,000 nautical miles.
Retired Lt-Commander John Aiede, retired Lt-Col Dr Jethro Usurup and retired Major Frank Moripi had served on the vessel.
Aiede was the chief engineer, Usurup was the medical practitioner on board and Moripi was the logistical supplier.
Dr Usurup said: “At the start of the Bougainville crisis, we ensured all medical officers were trained on board the barge and it became a field hospital, providing the necessary support to the officers who were fighting on the land.
“We bid farewell to officers who passed on, and we stood everyday out at sea, farewelling our lost comrades as a sailor would.”
Moripi ensured the ship had enough food and logistical support.
It is the second ship to be decommissioned after the HMPNGS Salamaua.
Deputy Chief of Staff Capt Philip Polewara, a former commanding officer of the vessel, said he had always held a high regard for the ship.
Buna originates from the coastal village of Buna in Northern, where the allied forces engaged the Japanese in the battles of Buna, Gona and Sananda.
“HMPNGS Buna will leave service from the PNGDF maritime element with her colours taken down for the last time after 46 years of serving PNG,” Capt Polewara said.
“Be it sealifts, freight runs, national elections, major naval exercises, fishery and sovereignty patrols at times, and remote and international visits, she was there.”