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DEFENCE assets including from Townsville’s 5th Aviation Regiment have completed their contribution to Papua New Guinea’s 2017 national elections.

Deployed under the banner Operation Hannah, the Australian Task Group was part of the broader Australian Government support provided in response to an official Papua New Guinea Government request.

The deployment included some 200 Australian Defence Force personnel and a range of aviation assets including Australian Army MRH90 helicopters and Royal Australian Air Force C- 130J Hercules transport aircraft, B300 King Air utility aircraft and C- 27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft.

Vice- Admiral David Johnston, Chief of Joint Operations, said the ADF support provided the extra airlift needed to help Papua New Guinea conduct the election.

“The steep terrain and island nature of Papua New Guinea means airlift was essential in the