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Australian Defence Force personnel are working alongside Papua New Guinea and contracted engineers and tradespeople during the final stages of infrastructure construction.
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Under the Lombrum Joint Initiative, led by Australia’s Pacific Division and the PNG Department of Defence, the Lombrum Naval Base in PNG is being redeveloped to enhance the PNG Defence Force’s ability to protect its sovereign borders and maritime resources, and provide increased opportunities for joint engagement between the ADF and the PNGDF.
The main works to refurbish and rebuild fundamental infrastructure began in early June 2021 and is due to be completed next month.
Designed to accommodate the PNGDF workforce and their families, the project includes new electrical generation services to power the island, new water and sewerage services to supply the base and new maritime infrastructure, including barge landing ramps.
The new office accommodation includes a guard house with a sentry post and a headquarters building for about 40 personnel, while the fully furnished living-in and transit accommodation and combined mess facilities will accommodate almost 200 sailors and officers.
Twelfth Chief Engineer Works project engineer Captain Will Guelen arrived in May for a three-month deployment that was extended by a further three months.
“When I arrived, I jumped straight into helping resolve technical queries and streamlining the process between the designer, the contractor and the project manager to reduce delays and get the main works package delivered,” CAPT Guelen said.
“We’re here to make decisions in real time and provide direct client supervision on behalf of the Australian government.
“A works package of this size and scale, with a complex contract methodology, is difficult to manage remotely.
“There are 500 people working across the site most days, including our 15 tradies. It’s been challenging at times, but overall, a rewarding experience.”
During World War II, more than 200 ships could be found at anchor in Seeadler Harbor, Papua New Guinea, which acts as a natural harbour protected by a barrier reef and 11 smaller islands that form part of the rainforest-covered Admiralty Islands.
Of great strategic importance during the war, Seeadler Harbor, which borders Manus Island to the west and Los Negros Island to the east, includes Lombrum Naval Base on Los Negros Island, a PNG Defence Force patrol boat base and home to four Guardian Class patrol boats provided by the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
Building on decades of support through the PNG-Australia Defence Cooperation Program, Australian Army tradies from 6th Engineer Support Regiment and project engineers and support staff from 12th Chief Engineer Works are extending Australia’s long history of support.
Elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, Australian Army signallers have finished working with the Vanuatu Police Force to upgrade the island nation’s sovereign emergency radio network.
The third and final phase of the program wrapped up in late October when the last signallers from 1 Signal Regiment returned to Australia after almost four months finalising installations and certifying networks.
Their work connected a series of smaller police posts and communications hubs across Vanuatu’s six provinces, allowing communication between police, government agencies and the most remote areas in times of natural disaster.
A shorter-range very high frequency network and repeater stations were also installed so police posts on Vanuatu’s numerous islands can communicate with each other.
The Vanuatu Government National Emergency Radio Network also includes portable high frequency radios, allowing emergency response teams to establish communications, regardless of their location.
Defence partnered with Vanuatu to rebuild its network after infrastructure damage from multiple tropical cyclones.
Phase 3 Contingent Commander Captain Morgan Wasson of 1 Signal Regiment said cooperation with the Vanuatu Police Force was key to their mission’s success.
“They were embedded in our team and educated on the full scope of work,” CAPT Wasson said.
“Our team also learned their customs and traditions when out on remote islands, even informally learning to speak Bislama, one of the local languages.
“It was the third time supporting the project for some signallers. There was a strong sense of camaraderie; we fostered enduring and genuine relationships.”
The project was delivered under the Vanuatu-Australia Defence Cooperation Program, which includes joint exercises and capability development.
