PNG Army to help 2015 Pacific Games

The PNG Defence Force has completed its initial planning for the 2015 Pacific Games, briefing the CEO Peter Stewart and senior RNPGC officers on the proposed Defence support to the Police, who will be leading security operations during the Games.

The PNGDF will be dedicating around 300 troops to the event, providing partnered patrolling around Port Moresby and the Games venues, with a dedicated quick reaction force and specialist bomb disposal and search capabilities.

"My staff have spent the last two weeks working closely with civilian agencies and the Games organisers.

"And we now have a good idea of the shape of our force, and the tasks that we will be able to carry out in support of the Constabulary" said Lieutenant Colonel Tony Aseavu, from Joint operations command.

"The bulk of the troops will come from the first Battalion.

"The Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, based in Port Moresby, with specialist support from the Air, Maritime and support elements" he said.

The planning team, which included a group from the Australian Defence Force, has developed a detailed timeline for building the support to the event, and outline of the actions during the Games fortnight.

"There has been a great deal of work carried out by the PNGDF, and some excellent and effective groundwork has been done helping to establish the connections and relationships which will deliver a safe and secure Pacific Games in 2015" said Stewart.

"This event does indeed represent our chance to be great, and I am very pleased that there has been some detailed and very effective planning carried out as the Games get closer" he said.

PNG Today/ Post Courier