US army shares security tips with PNG soldiers

 THE Papua New Guinean Defence Force hosted a team of US Air Force experts at Murray Barracks last week for a Pacific Defender Outreach Programme.  

This security exchange was designed to strengthen the capabilities of PNG’s military and police.

This was the first time PNG had hosted an US Air Force team.

The exchange was part of US support for PNG hosting  major events such as the 2015 Pacific Games and the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.  

The outreach programme included table-top exercises and scenario discussions on topics, including crowd control, confrontation management and threat responses.

US Ambassador Walter North noted that the Pacific Defender engagement was “an opportunity to deepen defence cooperation following the April visit of US Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Locklear”.

The programme provides a forum to exchange views among security forces leaders, enhances shared force protection information and understanding of security operations, develops interpersonal relationships among those who attended and contributes to regional security and stability.