Taurama Barracks soldiers on main Apec duties

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
MAJORITY of military personnel participating in the Apec summit security operations are from the First Royal Pacific Islands Regiment at Taurama in Port Moresby.
Chief of force preparation Col Siale Diro told The National that a small number of personnel would be from the Engineering Battalion at Igam Barracks in Lae.
“The bulk of the troops will come from specialist elements in Port Moresby based units especially 1RPIR,” he said.
“A small number of other specialist will fly in from outer units, especially the engineers from the Engineering Battalion in Lae to support with the higher-risk search and the engineering capability.”
Diro said they were still in the preparation phase to support police in providing safety and security during the leaders’ summit week in November. He could not state the exact number of personnel who would be working with police during Asia-Pacific Economic Conference.
“Looking at numbers, the land, maritime and air will be providing support,” Diro said.
“As the event draws closer and our task becomes more and more defined, we will then be able to confirm exactly how many of our officers from these three elements at 1RPIR will be providing support.
“At this stage everything is tracking very well. Preparation are on target.
“We have achieved the milestones that we need to assist police to provide safety and security during Apec.”
Diro said some of their personnel in the maritime element were currently undergoing Exercise Paradise with counterparts from the Royal Australian Navy in preparation for Asia-Pacific Economic Conference.