Military plans for future

THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force ended the year with its usual parade but heard that next year it will encompass a development plan.
Officers were told of a successful 2018 as it operation included the Apec Leaders’ Summit, the Manam Island volcano eruption and earthquake in the Highlands.
PNGDF commander Major-General Gilbert Toropo said the Defence Force’s medium development plan 2018-22 would be launched next year.
“Our ability to manage a high tempo of activities over the past few years is a direct result of committed leadership, particularly at unit level, and improved spiritual and physical wellbeing,” he said.
He said exercising duty of care and maintaining morale required care for basic needs such as food, uniform, weapons, allowances, accommodation and personnel protective equipment.
Toropo said he would like to continue into 2019 and see courageous leadership, the force sticking to its values, looking after others, trusting them to get on with their work and being persistent.
He thanked the New Zealand, Australian and Indonesian armies, the US Coast, Japan, China and Great Britain.