Close friends’ great success
Tess Ikonomou
A TRILATERAL ADF- led training exercise designed to prepare the PNG Defence Force’s elite Incident Response Group ( IRG) for Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC) Leaders’ Week was labelled a “great success”.
Australian and New Zealand personnel assisted IRG members with their final preparations for Leaders’ Week with a series of counter- terrorism training scenarios in Townsville last month.
CO SASR Lt- Col J said Exercise Tripela Wantok was a milestone in the long- term support effort from Australian special forces to help the PNGDF’s elite unit prepare for APEC.
He said the exercise provided an excellent opportunity for the PNG, Australian and New Zealand defence forces to train together.
“What made this longstanding training mission so beneficial was the fact we utilised realistic urban training areas and resources that are not readily available in PNG,” Lt- Col J said.
“It also gave our partners exposure to some capabilities that the ADF will deploy to support the PNG- led security mission during Operation APEC 18 Assist.”
The exercise was the IRG’s first offshore deployment and marked the culmination of an intense four- year capability building period in the lead up to APEC.
Director IRG Maj J said the exercise was the first of its kind and marked a significant moment in the development of PNG’s special forces community.
“IRG is humbled to train and prepare together as ‘ wantoks’ [ meaning close friends] with the finest ADF and NZDF personnel,” Maj J said.
“I would like to thank them for all the training and mentoring.”
Training involved ADF personnel from SASR, 1 Cdo Regt, SOER, 20STA and 3RAR. Supporting capabilities included 5 Avn Regt MRH90s for medical evacuation and the Wasp unmanned aerial system – a first for many of the PNGDF soldiers.
Elements from 3CSSB and 10FSB provided logistic support.
Training was conducted in a round- robin format with the IRG rotating through several tactical stands such as breaching, marksmanship and integration of reconnaissance capabilities.
IRG commanders led the planning for the conduct of a full mission profile to enable them to rehearse PNGDF- led responses to high- end security scenarios.
“Australian and New Zealand trainers assisted with the set up and control of the exercises to allow maximum participation from the IRG, including its assault, marksman, engineer and HQ elements,” Lt- Col J said.
“The activity provided a great opportunity to develop mutual understanding and deepen friendships between three close regional partners.
“The IRG showcased world- class tactical assault capabilities in what was a challenging training environment.” >> Names of SAS personnel are withheld to protect their identities