From the rugged and jungle-covered mountains of Papua New Guinea to the flat and arid terrain of northern Australia, Pacific friends have come together over the shared values of sustaining peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
In a 43-year first, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) has sent a detachment to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2024.
A small but significant footprint, the PNGDF brings with it two PAC-750 aircraft, typically used for training and other utility tasks.
Pitch Black PNG pilot Lieutenant Cameron Hosea highlighted the importance of interoperability with other participating nations.
“We are really excited to be here as a part of the military aviators of the world,” Lieutenant Hosea said.
“We love being able to build capacity to enable us to have future working relationships. We’re after the exposure and experience from operating in Australia.”
The PNGDF has also brought a highly skilled maintenance crew to sustain its efforts throughout the exercise.
PNGDF Aircraft Engineer Joshua Magum said the team has seized this opportunity to gain exposure to maintaining their aircraft in a different environment.
“I’m looking forward to learning and being part of the exercise as an individual and part of the team. I hope to learn as much as I can to take back home with me,” Aircraft Engineer Magum said.
Pitch Black provides the PNGDF and 19 other nations, with a large-scale, operational collective training activity, supporting their own sovereign security objectives.
Lieutenant Colonel Doug Vavar, PNGDF Detachment Commander for Exercise Pitch Black 2024, said the exercise gave his force the opportunity to look at how it operates against the world's best.
“The PNGDF element is growing and eventually will become an Air Force. An Air Force is built on capability and the people. Exercise Pitch Black 2024 gives us the opportunity to grow our people,” Lieutenant Colonel Vavar said.
Commanding Officer of Papua New Guinea Defence Force Air Transport Wing Lieutenant Colonel Doug Vavar speaks with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, and the Administrator of the Northern Territory, His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM and Mrs Ruth Jones in front of a PAC P-750XL aircraft static display during the Exercise Pitch Black 24 Open Day at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory.
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