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The Royal Australian Navy has praised the security effort undertaken by Papua New Guinea at APEC 2018 Leaders’ Week, as well as security partners New Zealand and the US.
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The maritime security operation was undertaken by the PNG Joint Security Task Force-Maritime Element, which was supported by HMA Ships Adelaide, Glenelg and Larrakia, HMNZS Otago and eight US Coast Guard Transportable Port Security Boats.
The PNG task force consisted of Royal PNG Constabulary water police vessels and the PNG Defence Force patrol boats HMPNG Ships Moresby and Dreger.
APEC 18 ASSIST Maritime Component Commander, Captain Paul O'Grady, has hailed the results achieved by PNG’s JSTF-Maritime Element.
“The successful delivery of maritime security effects by the Joint Security Task Force, supported by the ADF, the Royal New Zealand Navy and the US Coast Guard, was the culmination of months and years of work, and demonstrated fantastic co-operation,” CAPT O’Grady said.
“These efforts commenced with joint staff planning, various bilateral and multilateral exercises and finally the force integration training, where we integrated the various capabilities to provide the best possible maritime security and contingency forces in support of the PNG government."
“It has been an honour and privilege to work hand-in-hand with our PNG hosts, and to see the flags of all four maritime security forces flying around Fairfax Harbour.”
Over 1,000 personnel from the ADF, RNZN and US Coast Guard were involved in the security efforts, and Commander Willie Galia, Commander of Task Force Davara, was grateful for the support.
“To see the four flags flying in this part of the world, and the four nations working seamlessly together, has been a special experience,” CMDR Galia said.
“When the planning for APEC 2018 security commenced four years ago, we knew that we could achieve the outcomes by integrating PNG Defence Force and Royal PNG Constabulary capabilities, supported by our international friends.
“This has been a role model example of developing forces through a continuous process of planning, exercise and integration to deliver an important operation.”
