US army helps PNGDF with expertise

THE US Army has assisted Papua New Guinea Defence Force with logistics expertise to boost capacity. The US Army’s 5th security force assistance brigade (SFAB) based at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, said in a statement that they had travelled to Port Moresby in May to conduct a month-long partnership with the PNGDF. The logistics team partnering in PNG was part of its 6th battalion and forms the unit’s battalion adviser team, known as BAT 560. The 6th battalion and 5th SFAB commander Lt Col Jeremiah O’Connor said: “PNGDF leadership invited us here to learn how PNGDF conducts logistic, to learn what works for PNGDF and to develop plans for future partnering.“ We worked with PNGDF logistics division, force support battalion, the 1st Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, engineer forces and the Goldie River Training Depot.”PNGDF adviser Col Albert Palauva said: “The training comes at a time when the PNGDF seeks to reorganise its senior staff structure, modernise logistics and provide the most value to the people of PNG.” The team’s overall mission in PNG focuses on strengthening the long-standing relationship between the US and PNGDF while sharing lessons learned and best practices for logistical support.