Women soldiers en route to Solomons

National, Normal

TWO women soldiers are part of the 13th contingent of PNGDF soldiers that left Port Moresby yesterday for deployment as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (Ramsi).
Pte Josephine Pek from the Western Highlands and Pte Julianne Yallon from Enga are the first PNG women in the contingent of 34 soldiers to be deployed on operations overseas.
Both are drivers with the force support battalion, Murray Barracks.
PNGDF commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi thanked the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for continued assistance and urged his men to uphold their conduct and maintain discipline.
“Today’s farewell parade marks a significant event in history as we witness the first two female officers deployed for an overseas assignment,’ Agwi said.
He said that he expected the troops maintain a high level of conduct and discipline, adding that given the historic deployment, he expected none other than the best of performance on behalf of our country and defence force.
Head of Australia Defence Staff Col Mark Shephard congratulated the contingent for their preparations.
He also thanked the staff of Taurama Barracks Medical Centre who had done a first-class job in getting the pre-deployment health checks completed in three days. 
Shephard urged the platoon commander to look after the men and women under their command.
The Australian Defence Force provided the PNGDF with assistance for medical examinations and air transport to bring the contingent from Wewak to Port Moresby and Australia. 
Once in Australia, they would receive additional equipment from the ADF and undergo three-week training specific to the Ramsi mission, at the Canungra military training base in Brisbane.
Meanwhile, Agwi has presented the PNGDF Commanders commendation award to Capt Brent Hughes of the ADF at the commendation ceremony yesterday.
Hughes was awarded the highest administrative award for his outstanding level of performance in his capacity as the Australian liaison officer to IRPIR at Taurama Barracks since last year.