PNGDF marks jubilee

By DYLAN MURRAY
TWO Royal Australia Air Force Super Hornet fighter jets roared over Port Moresby yesterday as the Papua New Guinea Defence Force marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of its headquarters.
It was the first ever anniversary celebration at Murray Barracks which came alive with the sounds of bagpipes, brass and drums.
Chief of Defence Major-General Mark Goina acknowledged past and present members of the defence force, especially those who had served at the Murray Barracks headquarters.
“The Headquarters PNG Defence Force has played an important function over the years,” Goina said.
“It has helped to deliver the PNGDF’s core tasks of defending PNG’s sovereignty and interest, providing civil emergency assistance to our people and region, supporting our government through the delivery of nation building tasks and meeting our international obligations.”
He thanked the Australian and New Zealand defence forces for their support over the years.
“It is through this partnership that we have seen many changes, faced and addressed many challenges and seen many successes.”
Goina said the force had been able to deliver on key events, including the dispatching of the Kumul Force to assist Vanuatu in 1980.