Soldiers train at uni
The National, Tuesday 11th June 2013
By KEVIN PAMBA
PNG Defence Force soldiers have “invaded” the Divine Word University campus in Madang – but only for training purposes.
They have been camping there in the past few days while on a military “planning” exercise.
Students at the DWU campus are on a semester break and the soldiers were allowed to set up camp at the Arnold Janssen Hall alongside a large military tent where they are residing.
Chief instructor Major Joseph Terikian from the Igam Barracks academy is leading the training.
He said the “planning” training for senior officers was conducted every three years at different locations.
He said the exercise involved land and aerial surveillance and plotting of locations.
A military helicopter has been busy landing and taking off from the DWU sports field picking up and dropping off five soldiers at a time for the aerial component of the training.
A fleet of vehicles is being used for the terrestrial training.
Terikian said 15 senior officers were involved in the training plus medical personnel and instructors.
The soldiers are due to complete their training and leave the DWU campus on Saturday.