3rd Brigade does bit for PNG relations

TOWNSVILLE’S top defence force officer has returned from Papua New Guinea after meeting with representatives from the PNG Defence Force to bolster relations for the year ahead.

The Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Kahlil Fegan ( pictured), and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Brigade, Warrant Officer Class 1 Mark Retallick, visited the PNGDF for a few days last week.

The visit included an introductory meeting with Major General Gilbert Toropo, the Chief of the PNG Defence Force, and a visit to Igam Barracks in Lae to familiarise Brig Fegan with key individuals and places that will be central to the brigade’s engagement throughout 2020.

“Great working relationships thrive when we strive to understand the people, culture and environment closest to us, the partnership between the 3rd Brigade and PNGDF is an embodiment of this,” Brig Fegan said.

Townsville’s 3rd Brigade has strong and longstanding ties with the PNGDF, reinforced through regular training, capability and people-to-people engagements.

For more than 40 years, the brigade has been partnered with the PNGDF and this close relationship is emblematic of Australia’s broader Defence and whole-of-government partnership.

Olgeta Warrior is the annual program of training and exercises conducted between the Australian Army and the land component of the PNGDF and includes the delivery of individual and collective training exercises.

Australia’s Defence co-operation program in PNG is now in its 41st year, the largest program of its type maintained by Australia.